Effects of betaine supplementation on reproductive performance of breeding geese.

1. An experiment feeding three concentrations of betaine was conducted using breeding geese to analyse the reproductive performance, serum biochemical indexes, egg quality and intestinal immunity.2. A total of 450 female and 90 male Jiangnan White breeding geese were divided into three treatments, with five pen replicates each containing 30 female geese and 6 male geese.3. The results showed that there was no significant effect on the reproductive performance, serum biochemical indexes or jejunal villi goblet cells of geese with different levels of betaine in the diet (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the addition of 2.5 g/kg betaine to the diet showed a tendency to increase egg mass (P > 0.05) the betaine content in the yolk (P < 0.05). Feeding betaine significantly increased the height of jejunal villi and egg yolk total cholesterol content in female geese (P < 0.05).4. In conclusion, adding betaine to the goose diet was effective in its ability to improve intestinal structures. Adding 2.5 g/kg betaine to feed significantly increased the content of TCHOL and betaine in goose eggs.

Dietary amylose and amylopectin ratio changes starch digestion and intestinal microbiota diversity in goslings.

1. Research has confirmed that amylopectin (AP) is more easily digested than amylose (AM) because AP polymers have more intramolecular hydrogen bonds and less surface area. Studying the relationship between the amylose:amylopectin (AM:AP) ratio and intestine digestion in goslings can provide useful information for effective utilisation of starch.2. A total of 288 healthy male Jiangnan White Goslings, aged three days old, were randomly allotted to four groups, which included six pen replicates per treatment with 12 goslings per replicate. Four diets were formulated with maize, long-grained rice and glutinous rice as starch sources, with AM:AP ratios of 0.12, 0.23, 0.34, and 0.45. In vitro starch digestion of the four diets was measured, as well as the effect of AM:AP ratio on growth performance, serum amino-acid concentration and intestinal microbiota diversity of goslings.3. In terms of in vitro starch digestion, the increase in dietary AM:AP ratio resulted in a decrease followed by an increase in both rapidly and slowly digestible starch. The glucose release rate at an AM:AP ratio of 0.34 showed a steady upward trend.4. The in vivo study showed that increasing the AM:AP ratio resulted in a quadratic increase in body weight (BW) and average daily feed intake (ADFI; P < 0.05). Goslings fed diets with an AM:AP ratio of 0.34 had lower (P < 0.05) histidine and valine serum concentrations compared with the other three starch sources. Higher AM was beneficial to jejunal microbial and diversity. The species colonisation level of the jejunum microbiota samples at an AM:AP ratio of 0.34 was higher than that in the other groups.5. The results indicated that diets with an AM:AP ratio of 0.34 improved the growth performance and intestinal microbiota diversity of goslings. This may have been due to the higher level of resistant starch in amylose, which resulted in a slow release of intestinal glucose that acted as a substrate for the microbial species, thus providing conditions that were more conducive to growth.

Mathematical model describing CoViD-19 in São Paulo, Brazil - evaluating isolation as control mechanism and forecasting epidemiological scenarios of release.

In São Paulo, Brazil, the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (CoViD-19) was confirmed on 26 February, the first death due to CoViD-19 was registered on 16 March, and on 24 March, São Paulo implemented the isolation of persons in non-essential activities. A mathematical model was formulated based on non-linear ordinary differential equations considering young (60 years old or less) and elder (60 years old or more) subpopulations, aiming to describe the introduction and dissemination of the new coronavirus in São Paulo. This deterministic model used the data collected from São Paulo to estimate the model parameters, obtaining R0 = 6.8 for the basic reproduction number. The model also allowed to estimate that 50% of the population of São Paulo was in isolation, which permitted to describe the current epidemiological status. The goal of isolation implemented in São Paulo to control the rapid increase of the new coronavirus epidemic was partially succeeded, concluding that if isolation of at least 80% of the population had been implemented, the collapse in the health care system could be avoided. Nevertheless, the isolated persons must be released one day. Based on this model, we studied the potential epidemiological scenarios of release by varying the proportions of the release of young and elder persons. We also evaluated three different strategies of release: All isolated persons are released simultaneously, two and three releases divided in equal proportions. The better scenarios occurred when young persons are released, but maintaining elder persons isolated for a while. When compared with the epidemic without isolation, all strategies of release did not attain the goal of reducing substantially the number of hospitalisations due to severe CoViD-19. Hence, we concluded that the best decision must be postponing the beginning of the release.

LINC00662 promotes glycolysis and cell survival by regulating miR- 375/HIF-1α axis in ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies, with the highest mortality rate in women worldwide. LINC00662, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), was shown to play a vital role in many malignancies, while little is known about its role in OC. Firstly, our study determined the expression of LINC00662 in OC tissues and cells. Upregulation or downregulation of LINC00662 were performed in OC cells to explore its effects on cell proliferation and glycolysis of OC. The interaction between LINC00662 and miR-375 was verified using luciferase assays and RNA immunoprecipitation. Results showed that LINC00662 was highly expressed in OC tissues and cells, and patients with increased expression of LINC00662 were associated with shorter overall survival. Furthermore, functional assays proved that LINC00662 was essential for OC cell proliferation and glycolysis. Subsequently, our study further revealed that LINC00662 acted as a competitive RNA and it could modulate the expression of HIF-1α through directly binding with miR- 375. Collectively, upregulation of LINC00662 in ovarian cancer tissues is closely correlated to poor survival. LINC00662 might regulate HIF-1α expression via miR-375. These findings suggested that LINC00662 has the potential to be explored as a diagnostic biomarker for OC.

[The evaluation value of transient elastography for liver characteristics in obese children].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of transient elastography (FibroTouch) in obese children and to investigate the liver characteristics of obese children based on FibroTouch. Methods: Children (5-18 years of age) from the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center were examined by FibroTouch. The fat attenuation parameter (FAP) was used to assess liver fat deposition, and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was used to assess liver fibrosis. The children were divided into obesity group (n=67) and non-obesity group (n=139). The FAP, LSM, and their influencing factors were analysed in the obese group. Results: The total effective rate of FibroTouch in non-sedated children aged 5-18 years (n=229) was 97.8%. The FAP value 259.4 (235.9-275.5) dB/m in obese children was significantly higher than that in the control group 178.1 (168.7-195.6) dB/m, (Z=-10.586, P<0.001). The LSM value in obese children 5.9 (4.5-7.5) kPa was significantly higher than that in non-obese children 3.2 (2.3-4.1) kPa, (Z=-8.832, P<0.001). The proportion of liver fibrosis in obese group was 30%, and that of nonalcoholic fatty liver was 65.7%. Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI percentile (≥ 95%) was an independent factor for significant liver fibrosis (OR=1.267, 95%CI: 1.056-1.519, P=0.011) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (OR=1.248, 95%CI: 1.007-1.546, P=0.043). Conclusions: FibroTouch can be successfully applied to obese children. Fibrotouch can accurately evaluate the liver fibrosis and fat attenuation parameters in obese children. Obese children have higher FAP and LSM, which increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver and liver fibrosis.

[Epidemiological characteristics of scarlet fever in Hubei Province from 2009 to 2018].

Descriptive epidemiological methods were adopted to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of scarlet fever in Hubei Province from 2009 to 2018. During this study, the epidemiological data was obtained from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Information System. The results showed that there were 7 329 cases of scarlet fever reported in Hubei Province from 2009 to 2018 and the annual average incidence was 1.25 per 10 000. The number of cases was increased by years, and in 2018 it was the highest peak during these ten years and up to 1 758 which was account for 24% in these ten years, and the incidence was 2.98 per 10 000. The number of reported cases of male and female was 4 473 and 2 856, respectively, and both of the incidence rates were on the rise. The reported cases were distributed in 0-60 year-old group, mainly in the <15-year-old group (98.4%, 7 214/7 329). The season with the highest incidence rates were summer and winter. There were cases in all cities and prefectures, and the number of cases were the highest in Wuhan (n=2 105), Yichang (n=1 390), Jingzhou (n=954) and Enshi (n=1 090). Hence, it was very necessary to be on guard for the outbreak of scarlet fever and strengthen the surveillance in summer and winter for the people who were younger than 15 years old, especially in Wuhan, Yichang, Jingzhou and Enshi.

Biological background of the genomic variations of cf-DNA in healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: Cell-free DNA (cf-DNA)-based liquid biopsy is emerging as a revolutionary new method in individualized cancer treatment and prognosis monitoring, although detecting early-stage cancers using cf-DNA remains challenging, partially because of the undefined biological background of cf-DNA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated somatic mutations in the cf-DNA of 259 cancer-free individuals with a median age of 47 years using an endogenous barcoding duplex method with an ultralow base error rate (2 × 10-7) and compared the variant allele frequencies (VAFs) of these mutations between the cf-DNA and the corresponding blood cell DNA. RESULTS: Sixty percent (155/259) of the samples showed at least one nonsynonymous mutation on either of two similar target panels covering 508 and 559 cancer-related genes. For individuals older than 50 years of age, the positive rate increased to 76%. Most cf-DNA mutations were also present at similar VAFs in the paired blood cell DNA. The most frequently mutated genes were driver genes of hematologic malignancies, including DNMT3A, TET2, AXSL1, and JAK2. However, the other 58.4% (192/329) of the mutations were likely 'passenger mutations' of clonal hematopoiesis, including mutations in NOTCH2, FAT3, EXT2, ERBB4, and ARID2, which are driver genes of solid tumors. CONCLUSION: Hematopoietic clone-derived mutations, including 'driver mutations' and 'passenger mutations', are prevalent in the cf-DNA of both healthy individuals and cancer patients and may be a potential source of false positives in the liquid biopsy. Our results also suggest the ineffectiveness for distinguishing clonal hematopoietic mutations of low VAF (≤0.1%) from tumor-derived mutations using conventional next-generation sequencing of blood cell DNA. However, an error correction model with an ultralow error rate and high coverage depth is required for blood cell DNA sequencing, which is difficult and costly to achieve with current technologies.

Effect of RhoC silencing on multiple myeloma xenografts and angiogenesis in nude mice.

In this study, we investigated the expression of RhoC in the multiple myeloma (MM) cell line RPMI- 8226, as well as the effects of silencing RhoC on the growth of tumor xenografts and tumor-induced angiogenesis in nude mice with MM. For this purpose, we transduced RPMI-8226 cells with lentiviral particles overexpressing short hairpin RNAs (shRNA) targeting RhoC. Tumor xenografts were generated by subcutaneously injecting nude mice with RPMI-8226 cells overexpressing control shRNA [negative control (NC) group] or the RhoC shRNA [the experimental (S) group], respectively. RhoC protein and mRNA levels in the tumor xenografts were measured. Nude mice were also subcutaneously inoculated with Matrigel mixed with vascular endothelial growth factor, and CD31 and KI67 levels in the tumor xenografts were measured by immunohistochemistry. Similarly, we assessed tumor xenograft growth and angiogenesis in Matrigel implants in the mice of both groups. We found that RhoC levels, microvessel density, and CD31 labeling index were more reduced in the S group than in the NC group. However, there was no significant difference in the size of tumor xenografts between the 2 groups. The number of new vessels and the neovascular length in the Matrigel implants were significantly lower in the S group than in the NC group. Therefore, we concluded that RhoC expression in myeloma xenografts has important effects on the induction of angiogenesis.

Comparison of injectate spread and nerve involvement between retrolaminar and erector spinae plane blocks in the thoracic region: a cadaveric study.

Although different injection locations for retrolaminar and erector spinae plane blocks have been described, the two procedures have a similar anatomical basis. In this cadaveric study we compared anatomical spread of dye in the thoracic region following these two procedures. Following randomisation, 10 retrolaminar blocks and 10 erector spinae plane blocks were performed on the left or right sides of 10 unembalmed cadavers. For each block, 20 ml of dye solution was injected at the T5 level. The back regions were dissected and the involvement of the thoracic spinal nerve was also investigated. Twenty blocks were successfully completed. A consistent vertical spread, with deep staining between the posterior surface of the vertebral laminae and the overlaying transversospinalis muscle was observed in all retrolaminar blocks. Moreover, most retrolaminar blocks were predominantly associated with fascial spreading in the intrinsic back muscles. With an erector spinae plane block, dye spread in a more lateral pattern than with retrolaminar block, and fascial spreading in the back muscles was also observed. The number of stained thoracic spinal nerves was greater with erector spinae plane blocks than with retrolaminar blocks; median 2.0 and 3.5, respectively. Regardless of technique, the main route of dye spread was through the superior costotransverse ligament to the ipsilateral paravertebral space. Although erector spinae plane blocks were associated with a slightly larger number of stained thoracic spinal nerves than retrolaminar blocks, both techniques were consistently associated with posterior spread of dye and with limited spread to the paravertebral space.

[Survey of prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women in urban areas of China].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnant women in urban areas of China. Methods: The study was a national cross-sectional survey conducted from September 19th, 2016 to November 20th, 2016. According to the classification of the National Bureau of Statistics, all survey sites were set up in 6 regions of the country.Pregnant women were continuously selected using multistage stratified sampling. A total of 12 403 pregnant women were collected and examined for serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels. Results: The median serum ferritin level during pregnancy was 20.60 µg/L (11.78-36.98 µg/L) , the hemoglobin level was (118±12) g/L. With the progress of pregnancy, the levels of serum ferritin and hemoglobin decreased gradually. The median serum ferritin levels in the first, second trimester and third trimester were 54.30 µg/L (34.48-94.01 µg/L) , 28.60 µg/L (16.40-50.52 µg/L) , and 16.70 µg/L (10.20-27.00 µg/L) respectively (P<0.01) . The mean hemoglobin levels were (127±10) g/L, (119±11) g/L and (117±11) g/L respectively (P<0.01) . The prevalence of ID in urban pregnant women was 48.16% (5 973/12 403) , and IDA prevalence was 13.87% (1 720/12 403) . The prevalence of IDA in the first, second trimester and third trimester were 1.96% (20/1 019) , 8.40% (293/3 487) and 17.82% (1 407/7 897) ,respectively (P<0.01) . The prevalence of standardized ID and IDA were significantly different in various regions of China (P<0.01) . The standardized prevalence of ID were relatively higher in East China and Northeast China, 57.37% and 53.41% respectively, while it was the lowest in Southwest China, 30.51%. The standardized prevalence of IDA in South Central, Northwest, and East China were relatively high, 21.30%, 16.97% and 17.53% respectively, and the standardized prevalence of IDA in Southwest China was the lowest, 5.44%, the differents in various regions were significant (all P<0.01) . Conclusion: The current phenomenon of ID and IDA in pregnant women is still very common, and nutrition and health care during pregnancy should be strengthened.

Effect of feeding Rumen-protected capsule containing niacin, K2SO4, vitamin C, and gamma-aminobutyric acid on heat stress and performance of dairy cows.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplemental rumen-protected capsule (RPC) on animal performance, serological indicators, and serum heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) of lactating Holstein cows under heat stress (HS). During summer months, 30 healthy multiparous lactating Holstein cows with a parity number of 3.1 ± 0.44, 70 ± 15 d in milk, an average body weight of 622 ± 62kg, and an average milk yield of 32.28 ± 0.96kg/d, were used. The cows were randomly allocated to two groups: a control group and an RPC-supplemented group (0.13373kg K2SO4, 0.02488kg vitamin C, 0.021148kg niacin, and 0.044784kggamma-aminobutyric acid per cow). During the 42-d experiment, ambient air temperature and relative humidity inside and outside the barn were recorded hourly every day for the determination of temperature-humidity index (THI). Milk and blood samples were collected every week, and body weight and body condition scoring were measured on day 0. Based on the THI values, the animals had moderate HS. On day 42, the RPC group had lower HSP70, adrenocorticotropic hormone (P = 0.0001), lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.0338), and IL-6 (P = 0.0724) levels than the control group, with no significant differences in creatine kinase, glucocorticoid, or IL-2 levels. Milk yield, energy-corrected milk, and dry matter intake were higher in RPC than in the control group (P = 0.0196). There were no significant differences in milk fat or daily protein levels between the two groups; however, daily protein and milk fat levels were higher in the RPC group than in the control group (P = 0.0114 and P = 0.0665, respectively). Somatic cell counts were no different between the two groups. In conclusion, RPC may alleviate HS and improve dairy cow performance.

[The relationship of preoperativelymphocyte-monocyte ratio and the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer].

Objective: To investigate the relationship of preoperative lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) and the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: Clinical data of 364 cases of EOC patients with initial treatment were collected in Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital from 2005-2011 and analyzed retrospectively.The optimal cut-off points of preoperative LMR to predict the postoperative survival period of EOC patients were determined by the establishment of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The patients were divided into low LMR group and high LMR group according to the optimal cut-off points, and the relationship of LMR and the clinicopathological factors and prognosis of EOC patients were analyzed. Results: The best cut-off point of preoperative LMR to predict the postoperative survival period of EOC patients was 3.84. The preoperative LMR of EOC patients was significantly associated with the postoperative FIGO stage, ascites and CA125 level (all P<0.05). The median follow-up time was 37 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) time of low LMR group was 56 months, significantly shorter than 88 months of high LMR group (P<0.01). And the median overall survival (OS) time of low LMR group was 69 months, significantly shorter than 100 months of high LMR group (P<0.01). The univariate analysis showed that the postoperative FIGO stage, pathological grade, ascites, lymph node metastasis, CA125 level, adjuvant therapy, preoperative LMR were all significantly associated with PFS (all P<0.05). In addition, the age, postoperative FIGO stage, pathological grade, ascites, lymph node metastasis, CA125 level, adjuvant therapy, preoperative LMR were all significantly associated with OS (all P<0.05). Cox multivariate analysis showed that postoperative FIGO stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ, low differentiation, positive lymph node metastasis, without postoperative adjuvant therapy and LMR≤3.84were independent risk factors of PFS and OS of EOC patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: The preoperative LMR is an independent influence factor of PFS and OS of EOC patients, and can be used to evaluate the prognosis of patients with EOC.

[Clinical effect of rock salt aerosol therapy in treatment of occupational allergic contact dermatitis].

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect and safety of rock salt aerosol therapy in the treatment of occupational allergic contact dermatitis. Methods: A total of 65 patients with acute exacerbation of occupational allergic contact dermatitis who were treated in the Outpatient Service and Inpatient Department of our hospital from March 2013 to December 2015 were enrolled and randomly divided into observation group and control group using a random number table. Both groups were givensymptomatic treatment including desensitization, and the patients in the observation group were given rock salt aerosol therapy for 2 courses in addition to the symptomatic treatment. The changes in symptoms, signs, blood eosinophil count, and IgE were observed. Results: There were significant changes in symptom score at the first and second courses of the treatment (P<0.05) , and there was an interaction between time of therapy and grouping (P<0.05) . There was no significant difference in symptom score before treatment between the two groups (P>0.05) , while there were differences at the first and second courses of the treatment (P<0.05) . After the second course of treatment, the observation group had a significantly higher overall response rate than the control group (P<0.05) ; both groups had significant reductions in blood eosinophil count and the observation group had a significantly greater reduction than the control group (P<0.05) . After two courses of treatment, both groups had significant increases in the number of patients with normal IgE (both P<0.05) , and after the second course of treatment, the observation group had a significantly higher number than the control group (P<0.05) . Both groups had mild adverse events, which did not affect the treatment. Conclusion: In the treatment of occupational allergic contact dermatitis, rock salt aerosol therapy has a certain effect on the recovery of symptoms, signs, blood eosinophil count, and IgE.

Response of growing goslings to dietary supplementation with methionine and betaine.

An experiment with a 2 × 3 factorial design with two concentrations of dietary betaine (0 and 600 mg/kg) and three dietary concentrations of methionine (0, 600 and 1200 mg/kg) was conducted using goslings to estimate growth, nutrient utilisation and digestibility of amino acids from 21 to 70 d of age. Three hundred geese were randomised at 18 d of age into 6 groups with 5 replicates per treatment and 10 geese per replicate. Increasing dietary concentrations of methionine gave a linear increase in body weight and average daily gain. The coefficient of crude fat retention increased as dietary methionine increased and there was a significant non-linear response to increasing dietary methionine. Similarly, increasing supplemental methionine gave linear increases in the digestibility of methionine and cysteine. The results of this study indicated that optimal dietary supplementation of methionine could increase growth performance and methionine and cysteine utilisation in growing goslings. Betaine supplementation had no apparent sparing effect on methionine needs for growth performance, but did improve the apparent cysteine digestibility.

[Cancer cachexia and white adipose tissue browning].

Cancer cachexia occurs in a majority of advanced cancer patients. These patients with impaired physical function are unable to tolerance cancer treatment well and have a significantly reduced survival rate. Currently, there is no effective clinical treatment available for cancer cachexia, therefore, it is necessary to clarify the molecular mechanisms of cancer cachexia, moreover, new therapeutic targets for cancer cachexia treatment are urgently needed. Very recent studies suggest that, during cancer cachexia, white adipose tissue undergo a 'browning' process, resulting in increased lipid mobilization and energy expenditure, which may be necessary for the occurrence of cancer cachexia. In this article, we summarize the definition and characteristics of cancer cachexia and adipose tissue 'browning', then, we discuss the new study directions presented in latest research.

Effect of leukocyte filtration on the P-selectin expression of apheresis platelets.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of leukocyte filtration on the P-selectin (CD62P) surface expression of apheresis platelets during the retention period. Ten bags of apheresis platelets stored for 1 day (0-24 h) and 10 bags of apheresis platelets stored for 2 days (24-48 h) were used for leukocyte filtration (experimental group). Ten bags of apheresis platelets with the corresponding retention periods but without filtration were used as a negative control (control group). Thereafter, 100 µL of platelet suspensions from apheresis platelets with or without leukocyte filtration were sampled before and after leukocyte filtration for the detection of CD62P surface expression by flow cytometry. No statistical difference in the CD62P surface expression of apheresis platelets was observed before and after leukocyte filtration (P > 0.05), neither did the CD62P surface expression exhibit any change among the different retention periods. Leukocyte filtration does not affect the CD62P surface expression of apheresis platelets stored for up to 2 days, which indicates that leukocyte filtration does not damage the activation of apheresis platelets within the retention period.

The effect of new monochromatic light regimes on egg production and expression of the circadian gene BMAL1 in pigeons1.

We examined the effect of monochromatic light supplementation on pigeon reproductive performance and on the expression of the brain and muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like (BMAL1) protein in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. White King pigeons were selected randomly from 4 lofts (510 pairs/loft) with 3 subgroups/loft. The lofts were exposed to one of 4 light treatments for 3 months administered in the morning and evening as follows: blue light (480 nm), green light (540 nm), red light (660 nm), and control white light. The laying rate, fertility rate, and birth rate were recorded. After 3 months, 48 birds were selected randomly from the 4 lofts (6 females and 6 males from each loft), sacrificed, and the HPG axis was isolated. Following exposure to red light, laying rate was greater than the control group (P = 0.013), but there were no significant differences in the fertility rate (P = 0.41) or birth rate (P = 0.66). Expression of BMAL1 in the hypothalamus was unaffected by the light regime but was greater in the pituitary of females exposed to red light (P = 0.046) and in the pituitary of males exposed to the control white light (P = 0.059). The change in BMAL1 expression in the pituitary of females was negatively correlated with birth rate in monochromatic light (P = 0.021). We suggest that reproductive performance of pigeons is improved by light supplementation in the morning and evening. According to these data, 100 pigeons exposed to red light could lay 26.68 more eggs per month than the control group. Additionally, BMAL1 expression in the HPG axis of pigeons exposed to monochromatic light correlated with birth rate.

CircRNAs involved in the red light of effect on follicle selection in pigeons.

Red light (RL) can enhance egg production in poultry. CircRNAs play a crucial role by serving as transcriptional regulators. However, their role in influencing follicle development in White King pigeons remains unexplored. In this study, 54 paired White King pigeons were chosen and divided into RL and white light (WL) groups, each with 3 subgroups. The egg production of paired pigeons in each replicate was recorded for 45 d, and the characteristics of follicle development were monitored during the laying interval (LI). The granulosa cell layer from follicles of the second-largest follicle (F2) was collected, and high-throughput sequencing was performed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of follicle development in pigeons. The study confirmed that RL enhances egg production in pigeons. Additionally, under RL, the F2 follicle was selected, while under WL, small follicles were kept on the third day (LI3). A total of 5,510 circRNAs were identified across all samples, revealing differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) in various comparisons: 627 in RF1 vs. WF1, 900 in RF2 vs. WF2, 606 in RF1 vs. RF2, and 937 in WF1 vs. WF2. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that host genes of DECs were enriched in pathways like steroid hormone biosynthesis, oocyte meiosis, GnRH signaling pathway, and apoptosis pathway. Moreover, circRNA_5497, circRNA_2016, and circRNA_3328 were common DECs across 4 groups, sharing miRNA binding sites with follicle selection-associated genes. In conclusion, our findings suggest that RL promotes egg production by stimulating follicle selection during LI, offering insights into the regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in follicle selection under RL. This knowledge can help enhance the reproductive performance of pigeons.

Characterization of reproductive hormones and related gene expression in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the egg-laying interval in White King pigeon.

The egg-laying interval (LI) directly reflects the laying performance of breeding pigeons, influenced by reproductive hormones. This study aimed to assess reproductive hormone levels in serum and the expression of related genes and their receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in 4 stages: first (LI1), third (LI3), fifth (LI5), and seventh (LI7) days. The results showed that serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) level decreased from LI1 to LI7 (P < 0.01) and peaked in LI1. The serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels stayed at high levels from LI1 to LI5. The FSH level decreased slightly from LI5 to LI7 (P > 0.05), but the LH level decreased rapidly (P < 0.01). The prolactin (PRL) levels significantly increased in LI5 (P < 0.01) compared with LI1 and then stayed at a high level. The GnRH1 expression in the hypothalamus had no significant change in LI (P > 0.05). However, the GnRHR first decreased from LI1 to LI3 (P < 0.05) and then increased. The FSH mRNA level in the pituitary gland decreased from LI1 to LI3 and slightly increased in LI5 (P > 0.05). The change pattern of FSHR was similar to that of FSH and peaked in LI5 (P < 0.05). The LH expression level was the highest in LI5 and significantly higher than that in LI3 and LI7 (P < 0.05). However, the LHR mRNA level decreased in LI (P < 0.05). The expression patterns of PRL and PRLR were similar; they were upregulated in LI and peaked in LI7 (P < 0.01). The expression pattern of GnRHR was similar to that of FSH, LH, and FSHR, suggesting the critical role of GnRHR in LI. Furthermore, the expression levels of these genes peaked in LI5, closely correlating with the maturation of the first largest follicle in pigeons. PRL-PRLR signaling inhibited GnRH activity to promote ovulation. This study provided a basis for further investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of reproduction in pigeons.

[Clinical phenotyping of severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children].

Objective: To investigate and summarize pediatric patients with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) presenting with varied clinical and chest imaging features in order to guide the individualized treatment. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Medical records of clinical, imaging and laboratory data of 505 patients with MPP who were admitted to the Department Ⅱ of Respirology Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2016 to October 2023 and met the enrollment criteria were included. They were divided into severe group and non-severe group according to whether lower airway obliterans was developed. The clinical and chest imaging features of the two groups were analyzed. Those severe cases with single lobe ≥2/3 consolidation (lobar consolidation) were further divided into subtype lung-necrosis and subtype non-lung-necrosis based on whether lung necrosis was developed. Comparison on the clinical manifestations, bronchoscopic findings, whole blood C-reactive protein (CRP) and other inflammatory indicators between the two subtypes was performed. Comparisons between two groups were achieved using independent-sample t-test, nonparametric test or chi-square test. Univariate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed on the indicators such as CRP of the two subtypes. Results: Of the 505 cases, 254 were male and 251 were female. The age of the onset was (8.2±2.9) years. There were 233 severe cases, among whom 206 were with lobar consolidation and 27 with diffuse bronchiolitis. The other 272 belonged to non-severe cases, with patchy, cloudy infiltrations or single lobe <2/3 uneven consolidation or localized bronchiolitis. Of the 206 cases (88.4%) severe cases with lobar consolidation, 88 harbored subtype lung-necrosis and 118 harbored subtype non-lung-necrosis. All 206 cases (100.0%) presented with persistent high fever, among whom 203 cases (98.5%) presented with inflammatory secretion obstruction and plastic bronchitis under bronchoscopy. Of those 88 cases with subtype lung-necrosis, there were 42 cases (47.7%) with dyspnea and 39 cases (44.3%) with moderate to massive amount of pleural effusion. There were 35 cases (39.8%) diagnosed with lung embolism during the disease course, of which other 34 cases (38.6%) were highly suspected. Extensive airway mucosal necrosis was observed in 46 cases (52.3%), and the level of their whole blood CRP was significantly higher than that of subtype non-lung-necrosis (131.5 (91.0, 180.0) vs. 25.5 (12.0, 43.1) mg/L, U=334.00, P<0.001). They were regarded as subtype "lung consolidation-atelectasis-necrosis". Of those 118 cases with subtype non-lung-necrosis, 27 cases (22.9%) presented with dyspnea and none were with moderate to massive amount of pleural effusion. Sixty-five cases (55.1%) presented with plastic bronchitis and localized airway mucosal necrosis was observed in 32 cases (27.1%). They were deemed as subtype "lung consolidation-atelectasis". ROC curve analyses revealed that whole blood CRP of 67.5 mg/L on the 6-10 th day of disease course exhibited a sensitivity of 0.96, a specificity of 0.89, and an area under the curve of 0.97 for distinguishing between these two subtypes among those with lobar consolidation. Conclusions: Pediatric patients with severe MPP present with lobar consolidation or diffuse bronchiolitis on chest imaging. Those with lobar consolidation harbor 2 subtypes as "lung consolidation-atelectasis-necrosis" and "lung consolidation-atelectasis". Whole blood CRP of 67.5 mg/L can be applied as an early discriminating indicator to discriminate between these two subtypes.