Rutin prevents EqHV-8 induced infection and oxidative stress via Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Introduction: The Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway has been extensively studied for its role in regulating antioxidant and antiviral responses. The Equid herpesvirus type 8 (EqHV-8) poses a significant threat to the equine industry, primarily manifesting as respiratory disease, abortions, and neurological disorders in horses and donkeys. Oxidative stress is considered a key factor associated with pathogenesis of EqHV-8 infection. Unfortunately, there is currently a dearth of therapeutic interventions available for the effective control of EqHV-8. Rutin has been well documented for its antioxidant and antiviral potential. In current study we focused on the evaluation of Rutin as a potential therapeutic agent against EqHV-8 infection. Methods: For this purpose, we encompassed both in-vitro and in-vivo investigations to assess the effectiveness of Rutin in combatting EqHV-8 infection. Results and Discussion: The results obtained from in vitro experiments demonstrated that Rutin exerted a pronounced inhibitory effect on EqHV-8 at multiple stages of the viral life cycle. Through meticulous experimentation, we elucidated that Rutin's antiviral action against EqHV-8 is intricately linked to the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway-mediated antioxidant response. Activation of this pathway by Rutin was found to significantly impede EqHV-8 replication, thereby diminishing the viral load. This mechanistic insight not only enhances our understanding of the antiviral potential of Rutin but also highlights the significance of antioxidant stress responses in combating EqHV-8 infection. To complement our in vitro findings, we conducted in vivo studies employing a mouse model. These experiments revealed that Rutin administration resulted in a substantial reduction in EqHV-8 infection within the lungs of the mice, underscoring the compound's therapeutic promise in vivo. Conclusion: In summation, our finding showed that Rutin holds promise as a novel and effective therapeutic agent for the prevention and control of EqHV-8 infections.

Using UAV-Based Temporal Spectral Indices to Dissect Changes in the Stay-Green Trait in Wheat.

Stay-green (SG) in wheat is a beneficial trait that increases yield and stress tolerance. However, conventional phenotyping techniques limited the understanding of its genetic basis. Spectral indices (SIs) as non-destructive tools to evaluate crop temporal senescence provide an alternative strategy. Here, we applied SIs to monitor the senescence dynamics of 565 diverse wheat accessions from anthesis to maturation stages over 2 field seasons. Four SIs (normalized difference vegetation index, green normalized difference vegetation index, normalized difference red edge index, and optimized soil-adjusted vegetation index) were normalized to develop relative stay-green scores (RSGS) as the SG indicators. An RSGS-based genome-wide association study identified 47 high-confidence quantitative trait loci (QTL) harboring 3,079 single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with SG and 1,085 corresponding candidate genes. Among them, 15 QTL overlapped or were adjacent to known SG-related QTL/genes, while the remaining QTL were novel. Notably, a set of favorable haplotypes of SG-related candidate genes such as TraesCS2A03G1081100, TracesCS6B03G0356400, and TracesCS2B03G1299500 are increasing following the Green Revolution, further validating the feasibility of the pipeline. This study provided a valuable reference for further quantitative SG and genetic research in diverse wheat panels.

Arterial stiffness progression in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease subtypes: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aimed to investigate the correlation and to explore which MAFLD subtypes have the greatest influence on progression of arterial stiffness risk. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using data from a health examination-based cohort, a total of 12,129 participants who underwent two repeated health examinations that included brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) from 2012 to 2020 were enrolled. Participants were separated into non-MAFLD, overweight/obese (OW-MAFLD), lean/normal weight (lean-MAFLD) and diabetes (DM-MAFLD) groups. Among the participants with a median follow-up of 2.17 years, 4511 (37.2%) participants had MAFLD at baseline, among which 3954 (87.7%), 123 (2.7%), and 434 (9.6%) were OW-, lean- and DM-MAFLD, respectively. Analyses using linear regression models confirmed that compared with the non-MAFLD group, the elevated baPWV change rates (cm/s/year) were 12.87 (8.81-16.94), 25.33 (7.84-42.83) and 38.49 (27.88-49.10) in OW, lean and DM-MAFLD, respectively, while the increased change proportions (%) were 1.53 (1.10-1.95), 3.56 (1.72-5.40) and 3.94 (2.82-5.05), respectively. Similar patterns were observed when these two baPWV parameters were transformed in the form of the greatest increase using Cox proportional hazards model analyses. Furthermore, the risk of arterial stiffness progression across MAFLD subtypes presented a significant, gradient, inverse relationship in the order of DM-, lean-, OW with metabolic abnormalities (MA)-, and OW without MA-MAFLD. CONCLUSION: MAFLD, especially DM-MAFLD and lean-MAFLD, was significantly associated with arterial stiffness progression, providing evidence that stratification screening and surveillance strategies for CVD risk have important clinical implications.

Elucidating the Role of Transcriptomic Networks and DNA Methylation in Collagen Deposition of Dezhou Donkey Skin.

DNA methylation represents a predominant epigenetic modification with broad implications in various biological functions. Its role is particularly significant in the process of collagen deposition, a fundamental aspect of dermal development in donkeys. Despite its critical involvement, the mechanistic insights into how DNA methylation influences collagen deposition in donkey skin remain limited. In this study, we employed whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate the epigenetic landscape and gene expression profiles in the dorsal skin tissues of Dezhou donkeys across three developmental stages: embryonic (YD), juvenile (2-year-old, MD), and mature (8-year-old, OD). Our analysis identified numerous differentially methylated genes that play pivotal roles in skin collagen deposition and overall skin maturation, including but not limited to COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, COL4A1, COL4A2, GLUL, SFRP2, FOSL1, SERPINE1, MMP1, MMP2, MMP9, and MMP13. Notably, we observed an inverse relationship between gene expression and DNA methylation proximal to transcription start sites (TSSs), whereas a direct correlation was detected in regions close to transcription termination sites (TTSs). Detailed bisulfite sequencing analyses of the COL1A1 promoter region revealed a low methylation status during the embryonic stage, correlating with elevated transcriptional activity and gene expression levels. Collectively, our findings elucidate key genetic markers associated with collagen deposition in the skin of Dezhou donkeys, underscoring the significant regulatory role of DNA methylation. This research work contributes to the foundational knowledge necessary for the genetic improvement and selective breeding of Dezhou donkeys, aiming to enhance skin quality attributes.

Characterization of lipids and volatile compounds in boiled donkey meat by lipidomics and volatilomics.

Lipids are crucial substances for the formation and retention of volatile compounds (VOCs). The lipid and VOC profiles of boiled donkey meat were investigated by lipidomics and volatilomics. In total, 4277 lipids belonging to 39 subclasses were identified, comprising 26.93% triglycerides (TGs), 15.74% phosphatidylcholins (PCs), and 9.40% phosphatidylethanolamines. The relative percentage of TG in the meat significantly decreases (p < 0.001) from 0 to 40 min, after which there is no significant change, whereas PCs, sphingomyelins, and methyl phosphatidylcholines (MePCs) show the opposite trend. TG(16:1_18:1_18:2) and TG(16:0_16:1_18:2) appear to be key lipids for retaining VOCs in boiled donkey meat. Furthermore, PC(18:3e_16:0) and MePC(31:0e) were found to be potential markers for discriminating donkey meat. A total of 83 VOCs were detected, including 25.30% aldehydes, 18.07% hydrocarbons, 14.46% ketones, and 13.25% alcohols. Eleven characteristic VOCs with relative odor activity values >1 were identified as the predominant flavor compounds in boiled donkey meat, mainly hexanal and 1-octen-3-ol. Of the 258 differential lipids, 72 of them, especially polyunsaturated-fatty acid-rich lipids, are the main contributors to the formation of VOCs. Together, the key lipids for retention and formation of VOCs in donkey meat were revealed, providing a theoretical basis for VOC regulation.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue residues of albendazole sulphoxide and its metabolites in donkey after intramuscular injection.

BACKGROUND: Various anti-parasitic drugs are used to control donkey parasitic diseases. The abuse of donkey drugs leads to the disposition of residues in the edible parts of treated donkeys. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to (1) analyse the pharmacokinetics of ABZSO to serve as reference for the dosage regimen in donkey; and (2) calculate the withdrawal times of the ABZSO in the tissue of the donkey. METHODS: The concentrations of ABZSO and its metabolites in plasma and tissues were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet detector. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed by the programme 3p97. RESULTS: The plasma concentrations of ABZSO and ABZSO2 concentration-time data in donkey conformed to the absorption one-compartment open model. The t 1 / 2 k e ${{{t1}} \!\mathord{/ {\vphantom { {2{{k}_{\mathrm{e}}}}}}}}$ of ABZSO was 0.67 h, whereas the t1/2 k e was 12.93 h; the Cmax and the Tp were calculated as 0.58 µg mL-1 and 3.01 h. The Vd/F of ABZSO was estimated to be 10.92 L kg-1; the area under the curve (AUC) was 12.81 µg mL-1 h. The Cmax and AUC values of ABZSO were higher than those of ABZSO2; however, t1/2 K e and Vd/F were lower. Other pharmacokinetics parameters were similar between the two metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that ABZSO2 was the main metabolite of ABZSO in donkey plasma. The concentrations of ABZSO and its chief metabolite (ABZSO2) were detected in liver, kidney, skin and muscle; however, ABZ-SO2NH2 was only detected in liver and kidney. The results also revealed that the depletion of ABZSO and its metabolite in donkey was longer, especially in skin.

Utilizing mobile digital radiography for detection of thoracolumbar vertebrae traits in live donkeys.

It has been well-established that the number of vertebrae is associated with body size and meat productivity. In current study we utilized a digital radiography (DR) technology to detect the number of thoracolumbar vertebrae in live donkeys. For this purpose, we introduced for the first time a groundbreaking device designed by our team for assessing thoracolumbar vertebrae number traits in equids, employing a sample of 1,000 donkeys sourced from five distinct donkey farms. This assessment incorporates a range of crucial body metrics, including body height, length, and various other measurements. Subsequently, our study determined the number of thoracolumbar vertebrae in 112 donkeys, utilizing the DR system. These findings were further validated through post-mortem evaluations conducted by slaughtering the donkeys. Our findings demonstrated a remarkable resemblance between the thoracolumbar vertebrae numbers visualized through the DR system in live donkeys and those obtained via slaughter verification. In conclusion, this research underscores the accuracy and effectiveness of the DR system for the detection of thoracolumbar vertebrae in live donkeys, which might be helpful for assessing the body size and meat productivity. We also recommended the utilization of DR system for counting thoracolumbar vertebrae in other animals in live state and could be a useful addition to livestock business industry for the prediction of body size and meat productivity efficiency.

Genetic dissection and identification of stripe rust resistance genes in the wheat cultivar Lanhangxuan 121, a cultivar selected from a space mutation population.

Stripe rust is a devastating disease of wheat worldwide. Chinese wheat cultivar Lanhangxuan 121 (LHX121), selected from an advanced line L92-47 population that had been subjected to space mutation breeding displayed a consistently higher level of resistance to stipe rust than its parent in multiple field environments. The aim of this research was to establish the number and types of resistance genes in parental lines L92-47 and LHX121 using separate segregating populations. The first population developed from a cross between LHX121 and susceptible cultivar Xinong 822 comprised 278 F2:3 lines. The second validation population comprised 301 F2:3 lines from a cross between L92-47 and susceptible cultivar Xinong 979. Lines of two population were evaluated for stripe rust response at three sites during the 2018-2020 cropping season. Affymetrix 660 K SNP arrays were used to genotype the lines and parents. Inclusive composite interval mapping detected QTL QYrLHX.nwafu-2BS, QYrLHX.nwafu-3BS, and QYrLHX.nwafu-5BS for resistance in all three environments. Based on previous studies and pedigree information, QYrLHX.nwafu-2BS and QYrLHX.nwafu-3BS were likely to be Yr27 and Yr30 that are present in the L92-47 parent. QYrLHX.nwafu-5BS (YrL121) detected only in LHX121 was mapped to a 7.60 cM interval and explained 10.67-22.57% of the phenotypic variation. Compared to stripe rust resistance genes previously mapped to chromosome 5B, YrL121 might be a new adult plant resistance QTL. Furthermore, there were a number of variations signals using 35 K SNP array and differentially expressed genes using RNA-seq between L92-47 and LHX121 in the YrL121 region, indicating that they probably impair the presence and/or function of YrL121. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-024-01461-0.

Hyperoside inhibits EHV-8 infection via alleviating oxidative stress and IFN production through activating JNK/Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways.

Equine herpesvirus type 8 (EHV-8) causes abortion and respiratory disease in horses and donkeys, leading to serious economic losses in the global equine industry. Currently, there is no effective vaccine or drug against EHV-8 infection, underscoring the need for a novel antiviral drug to prevent EHV-8-induced latent infection and decrease the pathogenicity of this virus. The present study demonstrated that hyperoside can exert antiviral effects against EHV-8 infection in RK-13 (rabbit kidney cells), MDBK (Madin-Darby bovine kidney), and NBL-6 cells (E. Derm cells). Mechanistic investigations revealed that hyperoside induces heme oxygenase-1 expression by activating the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 axis, alleviating oxidative stress and triggering a downstream antiviral interferon response. Accordingly, hyperoside inhibits EHV-8 infection. Meanwhile, hyperoside can also mitigate EHV-8-induced injury in the lungs of infected mice. These results indicate that hyperoside may serve as a novel antiviral agent against EHV-8 infection.IMPORTANCEHyperoside has been reported to suppress viral infections, including herpesvirus, hepatitis B virus, infectious bronchitis virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. However, its mechanism of action against equine herpesvirus type 8 (EHV-8) is currently unknown. Here, we demonstrated that hyperoside significantly inhibits EHV-8 adsorption and internalization in susceptible cells. This process induces HO-1 expression via c-Jun N-terminal kinase/nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 axis activation, alleviating oxidative stress and triggering an antiviral interferon response. These findings indicate that hyperoside could be very effective as a drug against EHV-8.

Advancements in Genetic Biomarkers and Exogenous Antioxidant Supplementation for Safeguarding Mammalian Cells against Heat-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis.

Heat stress represents a pervasive global concern with far-reaching implications for the reproductive efficiency of both animal and human populations. An extensive body of published research on heat stress effects utilizes controlled experimental environments to expose cells and tissues to heat stress and its disruptive influence on the physiological aspects of reproductive phenotypic traits, encompassing parameters such as sperm quality, sperm motility, viability, and overall competence. Beyond these immediate effects, heat stress has been linked to embryo losses, compromised oocyte development, and even infertility across diverse species. One of the primary mechanisms underlying these adverse reproductive outcomes is the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels precipitating oxidative stress and apoptosis within mammalian reproductive cells. Oxidative stress and apoptosis are recognized as pivotal biological factors through which heat stress exerts its disruptive impact on both male and female reproductive cells. In a concerted effort to mitigate the detrimental consequences of heat stress, supplementation with antioxidants, both in natural and synthetic forms, has been explored as a potential intervention strategy. Furthermore, reproductive cells possess inherent self-protective mechanisms that come into play during episodes of heat stress, aiding in their survival. This comprehensive review delves into the multifaceted effects of heat stress on reproductive phenotypic traits and elucidates the intricate molecular mechanisms underpinning oxidative stress and apoptosis in reproductive cells, which compromise their normal function. Additionally, we provide a succinct overview of potential antioxidant interventions and highlight the genetic biomarkers within reproductive cells that possess self-protective capabilities, collectively offering promising avenues for ameliorating the negative impact of heat stress by restraining apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Diltiazem HCl suppresses porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection in susceptible cells and in swine.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a pathogen for swine, resulting in substantial economic losses to the swine industry. However, there has been little success in developing effective vaccines or drugs for PRRSV control. In the present study, we discovered that Diltiazem HCl, an inhibitor of L-type Ca2+ channel, effectively suppresses PRRSV replication in MARC-145, PK-15CD163 and PAM cells in dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, it demonstrates a broad-spectrum activity against both PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 strains. Additionally, we explored the underlying mechanisms and found that Diltiazem HCl -induced inhibition of PRRSV associated with regulation of calcium ion homeostasis in susceptible cells. Moreover, we evaluated the antiviral effects of Diltiazem HCl in PRRSV-challenged piglets, assessing rectal temperature, viremia, and gross and microscopic lung lesions. Our results indicate that Diltiazem HCl treatment alleviates PRRSV-induced rectal temperature spikes, pulmonary pathological changes, and serum viral load. In conclusion, our data suggest that Diltiazem HCl could serve as a novel therapeutic drug against PRRSV infection.

Heme oxygenase-1 is an equid alphaherpesvirus 8 replication restriction host protein and suppresses viral replication via the PKCß/ERK1/ERK2 and NO/cGMP/PKG pathway.

Equid alphaherpesvirus 8 (EqHV-8) is one of the most economically important viruses that is known to cause severe respiratory disease, abortion, and neurological syndromes in equines. However, no effective vaccines or therapeutic agents are available to control EqHV-8 infection. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an antioxidant defense enzyme that displays significant cytoprotective effects against different viral infections. However, the literature on the function of HO-1 during EqHV-8 infection is little. We explored the effects of HO-1 on EqHV-8 infection and revealed its potential mechanisms. Our results demonstrated that HO-1 induced by cobalt-protoporphyrin (CoPP) or HO-1 overexpression inhibited EqHV-8 replication in susceptible cells. In contrast, HO-1 inhibitor (zinc protoporphyria) or siRNA targeting HO-1 reversed the anti-EqHV-8 activity. Furthermore, biliverdin, a metabolic product of HO-1, mediated the anti-EqHV-8 effect of HO-1 via both the protein kinase C (PKC)ß/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/ERK2 and nitric oxide (NO)-dependent cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-protein kinase G (PKG) signaling pathways. In addition, CoPP protected the mice by reducing the EqHV-8 infection in the lungs. Altogether, these results indicated that HO-1 can be developed as a promising therapeutic strategy to control EqHV-8 infection.IMPORTANCEEqHV-8 infections have threatened continuously donkey and horse industry worldwide, which induces huge economic losses every year. However, no effective vaccination strategies or drug against EqHV-8 infection until now. Our present study found that one host protien HO-1 restrict EqHV-8 replication in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrate that HO-1 and its metabolite biliverdin suppress EqHV-8 relication via the PKCß/ERK1/ERK2 and NO/cGMP/PKG pathways. Hence, we believe that HO-1 can be developed as a promising therapeutic strategy to control EqHV-8 infection.

Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis unveils the interplay of mRNA and LncRNA expression in shaping collagen organization and skin development in Dezhou donkeys.

The primary focus of donkey hide gelatin processing lies in the dermal layer of donkey hide due to its abundant collagen content. However, the molecular mechanism involved in collagen organization and skin development in donkey skin tissue across various developmental stages remains incomplete. The current study aims to investigate the transcriptomic screening of lncRNAs and mRNA associated with skin development and collagen organization across different ages in Dezhou donkeys' skin. In the pursuit of this objective, we used nine skin tissue samples obtained from Dezhou donkeys at various ages including 8-month fetal stage, followed by 2 and 8 years. RNA-seq analysis was performed for the transcriptomic profiling of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and lncRNAs associated with skin development in different age groups. Our investigation revealed the presence of 6,582, 6,455, and 405 differentially expressed genes and 654, 789, and 29 differentially expressed LncRNAs within the skin tissues of Dezhou donkeys when comparing young donkeys (YD) vs. middle-aged donkeys (MD), YD vs. old donkeys (OD), and MD vs. OD, respectively. Furthermore, we identified Collagen Type I Alpha 1 Chain (COL1A1), Collagen Type III Alpha 1 Chain (COL3A1), and Collagen Type VI Alpha 5 Chain (COL6A5) as key genes involved in collagen synthesis, with COL1A1 being subject to cis-regulation by several differentially expressed LncRNAs, including ENSEAST00005041187, ENSEAST00005038497, and MSTRG.17248.1, among others. Interestingly, collagen organizational and skin development linked pathways including Protein digestion and absorption, metabolic pathways, Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-Protein Kinase B signaling pathway (PI3K-Akt signaling pathway), Extracellular Matrix-Receptor Interaction (ECM-receptor interaction), and Relaxin signaling were also reported across different age groups in Dezhou donkey skin. These findings enhance our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying Dezhou donkey skin development and collagen biosynthesis and organization, thus furnishing a solid theoretical foundation for future research endeavors in this domain.

Not only baseline but cumulative exposure of remnant cholesterol predicts the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Remnant cholesterol (remnant-C) mediates the progression of major adverse cardiovascular events. It is unclear whether remnant-C, and particularly cumulative exposure to remnant-C, is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to explore whether remnant-C, not only baseline but cumulative exposure, can be used to independently evaluate the risk of NAFLD. METHODS: This study included 1 cohort totaling 21,958 subjects without NAFLD at baseline who underwent at least 2 repeated health checkups and 1 sub-cohort totaling 2,649 subjects restricted to those individuals with at least 4 examinations and no history of NAFLD until Exam 3. Cumulative remnant-C was calculated as a timeweighted model for each examination multiplied by the time between the 2 examinations divided the whole duration. Cox regression models were performed to estimate the association between baseline and cumulative exposure to remnant-C and incident NAFLD. RESULTS: After multivariable adjustment, compared with the quintile 1 of baseline remnant-C, individuals with higher quintiles demonstrated significantly higher risks for NAFLD (hazard ratio [HR] 1.48, 95%CI 1.31-1.67 for quintile 2; HR 2.07, 95%CI 1.85-2.33 for quintile 3; HR 2.55, 95%CI 2.27-2.88 for quintile 4). Similarly, high cumulative remnant-C quintiles were significantly associated with higher risks for NAFLD (HR 3.43, 95%CI 1.95-6.05 for quintile 2; HR 4.25, 95%CI 2.44-7.40 for quintile 3; HR 6.29, 95%CI 3.59-10.99 for quintile 4), compared with the quintile 1. CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of baseline and cumulative remnant-C were independently associated with incident NAFLD. Monitoring immediate levels and longitudinal trends of remnant-C may need to be emphasized in adults as part of NAFLD prevention strategy.

Advancements in Genetic Marker Exploration for Livestock Vertebral Traits with a Focus on China.

In livestock breeding, the number of vertebrae has gained significant attention due to its impact on carcass quality and quantity. Variations in vertebral traits have been observed across different animal species and breeds, with a strong correlation to growth and meat production. Furthermore, vertebral traits are classified as quantitative characteristics. Molecular marker techniques, such as marker-assisted selection (MAS), have emerged as efficient tools to identify genetic markers associated with vertebral traits. In the current review, we highlight some key potential genes and their polymorphisms that play pivotal roles in controlling vertebral traits (development, length, and number) in various livestock species, including pigs, donkeys, and sheep. Specific genetic variants within these genes have been linked to vertebral development, number, and length, offering valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms governing vertebral traits. This knowledge has significant implications for selective breeding strategies to enhance structural characteristics and meat quantity and quality in livestock, ultimately improving the efficiency and quality of the animal husbandry industry.

Genetic Diversity, Population Structure and Selection Signature in Begait Goats Revealed by Whole-Genome Sequencing.

Goats belong to a group of animals called small ruminants and are critical sources of livelihood for rural people. Genomic sequencing can provide information ranging from basic knowledge about goat diversity and evolutionary processes that shape genomes to functional information about genes/genomic regions. In this study, we exploited a whole-genome sequencing data set to analyze the genetic diversity, population structure and selection signatures of 44 individuals belonging to 5 Ethiopian goat populations: 12 Aberegalle (AB), 5 Afar (AF), 11 Begait (BG), 12 Central highlands (CH) and 5 Meafure (MR) goats. Our results revealed the highest genetic diversity in the BG goat population compared to the other goat populations. The pairwise genetic differentiation (FST) among the populations varied and ranged from 0.011 to 0.182, with the closest pairwise value (0.003) observed between the AB and CH goats and a distant correlation (FST = 0.182) between the BG and AB goats, indicating low to moderate genetic differentiation. Phylogenetic tree, ADMIXTURE and principal component analyses revealed a classification of the five Ethiopian goat breeds in accordance with their geographic distribution. We also found three top genomic regions that were detected under selection on chromosomes 2, 5 and 13. Moreover, this study identified different candidate genes related to milk characteristics (GLYCAM1 and SRC), carcass (ZNF385B, BMP-7, PDE1B, PPP1R1A, FTO and MYOT) and adaptive and immune response genes (MAPK13, MAPK14, SCN7A, IL12A, EST1 DEFB116 and DEFB119). In conclusion, this information could be helpful for understanding the genetic diversity and population structure and selection scanning of these important indigenous goats for future genetic improvement and/or as an intervention mechanism.

Characterization of Volatile Compounds in Donkey Meat by Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectrometry (GC-IMS) Combined with Chemometrics.

Volatile compounds (VOCs) are an important factor affecting meat quality. However, the characteristic VOCs in different parts of donkey meat remain unknown. Accordingly, this study represents a preliminary investigation of VOCs to differentiate between different cuts of donkey meat by using headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) combined with chemometrics analysis. The results showed that the 31 VOCs identified in donkey meat, ketones, alcohols, aldehydes, and esters were the predominant categories. A total of 10 VOCs with relative odor activity values ≥1 were found to be characteristic of donkey meat, including pentanone, hexanal, nonanal, octanal, and 3-methylbutanal. The VOC profiles in different parts of donkey meat were well differentiated using three- and two-dimensional fingerprint maps. Nine differential VOCs that represent potential markers to discriminate different parts of donkey meat were identified by chemometrics analysis. These include 2-butanone, 2-pentanone, and 2-heptanone. Thus, the VOC profiles in donkey meat and specific VOCs in different parts of donkey meat were revealed by HS-GC-IMS combined with chemometrics, whcih provided a basis and method of investigating the characteristic VOCs and quality control of donkey meat.

Analysis of the Differentially Expressed Proteins in Donkey Milk in Different Lactation Stages.

Proteins in donkey milk (DM) have special biological activities. However, the bioactive proteins and their expression regulation in donkey milk are still unclear. Thus, the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in DM in different lactation stages were first investigated by data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics. A total of 805 proteins were characterized in DM. The composition and content of milk proteins varied with the lactation stage. A total of 445 candidate DEPs related to biological processes and molecular functions were identified between mature milk and colostrum. The 219 down-regulated DEPs were mainly related to complement and coagulation cascades, staphylococcus aureus infection, systemic lupus erythematosus, prion diseases, AGE-RAGE signaling pathways in diabetic complications, and pertussis. The 226 up-regulated DEPs were mainly involved in metabolic pathways related to nutrient (fat, carbohydrate, nucleic acid, and vitamin) metabolism. Some other DEPs in milk from the lactation period of 30 to 180 days also had activities such as promoting cell proliferation, promoting antioxidant, immunoregulation, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects, and enhancing skin moisture. DM can be used as a nutritional substitute for infants, as well as for cosmetic and medical purposes. Our results provide important insights for understanding the bioactive protein differences in DM in different lactation stages.

Yeast polysaccharide supplementation: impact on lactation, growth, immunity, and gut microbiota in Dezhou donkeys.

Introduction: The Dezhou donkey, a prominent Chinese breed, is known for its remarkable size, rapid growth, and resilience to tough feeding conditions, and disease resistance. These traits are crucial in meeting the growing demand for Ejiao and donkey meat. Yeast polysaccharide (YPS), a functional polysaccharide complex known for its immune-enhancing and growth-promoting properties in livestock and poultry, remains relatively understudied in donkeys. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of YPS supplementation on lactating and growing Dezhou donkey jennies and foals. Materials and methods: Twelve 45-day-old Dezhou donkey foals and their jennies, matched for body weight and age, were randomly allocated to two dietary groups: a control group receiving a basal diet and an experimental group receiving the basal diet supplemented with 10 g/pen of YPS. The experiment was conducted over a 23-day period, during which donkey foals and lactating jennies were co-housed. Results and discussion: The findings revealed that YPS supplementation had no adverse effects on milk production or composition in Dezhou donkey jennies but significantly increased feed intake. Additionally, YPS was associated with increased plasma glucose and creatinine concentrations in foals, while tending to decrease alkaline phosphatase, white blood cell count, red blood cell count, and hemoglobin levels (p < 0.10). Immune indices demonstrated that YPS supplementation elevated the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in jennies (p < 0.05) and increased complement component C4 concentrations in foals (p < 0.05). Moreover, YPS positively influenced the fecal microbiome, promoting the abundance of beneficial microorganisms such as Lactobacillus and Prevotella in donkey foals and Terriporobacter and Cellulosilyticum in jennies, all of which contribute to enhanced feed digestion. Additionally, YPS induced alterations in the plasma metabolome for both jennies and foals, with a predominant presence of lipids and lipid-like molecules. Notably, YPS increased the concentrations of specific lipid metabolites, including 13,14-Dihydro PGF2a, 2-Isopropylmalic acid, 2,3-Dinor-TXB2, Triterpenoids, Taurocholic acid, and 3b-Allotetrahydrocortisol, all of which are associated with improved animal growth. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study suggests that dietary supplementation of YPS enhances feed intake, boosts immunity by increasing immunoglobulin levels, stimulates the growth-promoting gut microbiota (Lactobacillus and Prevotella), and exerts no adverse effects on the metabolism of both Dezhou donkey jennies and foals.

CircMMP11 as a prognostic biomarker mediates miR-361-3p/HMGB1 axis to accelerate malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

As a high metastatic tumor, patients having hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) show poor prognosis. The carcinogenic roles of circMMP11 are generally described in the development of other cancers. However, there is a lack of studies on its involvement in HCC. Therefore, we investigated the potential role and molecular mechanisms of CircMMP11 in the development of HCC in vitro, providing preliminary evidence for the clinical treatment of HCC. First, we examined the expression of CircMMP11 in HCC tissues and cell lines in both clinical and in vitro experiments. We then used a loss-of-function assay to determine CircMMP11's regulatory role on the malignant characteristics of HCC cells. The results showed that high expression of CircMMP11 in HCC was associated with patient overall survival. Serum CircMMP11 had good diagnostic efficacy in distinguishing HCC patients from the control group. In vitro, inhibiting CircMMP11 suppressed the malignant characteristics of human HCC cell lines by directly sequestering miR-361-3p, which further affected the downstream gene HMGB1 expression. In addition, we knocked down CircMMP11 and found that its deletion inhibited the malignant characteristics of HCC cells through the miR-361-3p/HMGB1 axis.