Multiple lines of evidence of early goose domestication in a 7,000-y-old rice cultivation village in the lower Yangtze River, China.

Poultry are farmed globally, with chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) being the leading domesticated species. Although domestic chicken bones have been reported from some Early Holocene sites, their origin is controversial and there is no reliable domestic chicken bone older than the Middle Holocene. Here, we studied goose bones from Tianluoshan­a 7,000-y-old rice cultivation village in the lower Yangtze River valley, China­using histological, geochemical, biochemical, and morphological approaches. Histological analysis revealed that one of the bones was derived from a locally bred chick, although no wild goose species breed in southern China. The analysis of oxygen-stable isotope composition supported this observation and further revealed that some of the mature bones were also derived from locally bred individuals. The nitrogen-stable isotope composition showed that locally bred mature birds fed on foods different from those eaten by migrant individuals. Morphological analysis revealed that the locally bred mature birds were homogenous in size, whereas radiocarbon dating clearly demonstrated that the samples from locally bred individuals were ∼7,000 y old. The histological, geochemical, biochemical, morphological, and contextual evidence suggest that geese at Tianluoshan village were at an early stage of domestication. The goose population appears to have been maintained for several generations without the introduction of individuals from other populations and may have been fed cultivated paddy rice. These findings indicate that goose domestication dates back 7,000 y, making geese the oldest domesticated poultry species in history.

Influence of the pH Value of Refluxate and Proximal Extent on Heartburn Perception in Patients with Proton Pump Inhibitor-Refractory Non-Erosive Reflux Disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Weakly acidic reflux has been reported as the major cause of symptom occurrence in patients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). This study is aimed at clarifying whether the pH value of weakly acidic reflux affects the induction of symptoms. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the records of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring in 57 patients with PPI-refractory NERD. Weakly acidic refluxes were divided into 3 categories based on the pH value of the refluxate: pH 4-5, 5-6, and 6-7. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients were positive in the symptom index. The symptom provocation rate in reflux of pH 4-5 (19%) was much higher than in that of pH 5-6 (11%) and pH 6-7 (12%). In the reflux at pH 4-5, the symptom provocation rate in the proximal reflux was higher than that in the distal reflux (p < 0.05), whereas the reflux at pH 5-6 and pH 6-7 was not significantly different in the symptom provocation rate between the proximal and distal refluxes. CONCLUSION: Reflux at pH <5 reaching the proximal esophagus was the main factor in the induced symptoms of patients with PPI-refractory NERD.

Strong Intra-Esophageal Reflux May Contribute to the Development of Barrett's Adenocarcinoma and Affect the Localization.

BACKGROUND: There has been no study that has directly measured the esophageal reflux factors in Barrett's adenocarcinoma (BA) using 24-h multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring (24-h MII-pH). We aimed to clarify the esophageal reflux factors in Barrett's esophagus (BE) and BA and the factors that determine the location of BA with 24-h MII-pH. METHODS: We performed 24-h MII-pH in 26 patients with superficial BA treated endoscopically (BA group) and 13 patients with BE (BE group) and examined the esophageal reflux factors (esophageal acid exposure time [AET], bolus exposure (acid, weakly acid, and alkaline), and number of reflux episodes. In the BA group, there were 16 cases in which the lesions were localized in an area in contact with the esophagogastric junction (EGJ; EGJ group), and 10 cases in which the lesions were proximal to the BE and separated from the EGJ (non-EGJ group). RESULTS: Total reflux in the bolus exposure in the BA group showed higher values compared to that in the BE group. The total of acid and weakly acid reflux of bolus exposure was significantly higher in the BA group than that in the BE group. The BA group also had greater numbers of total reflux episodes than the BE group. As for the cancer locations in BE, the cases in which the lesions were located proximally and separated from the EGJ had more AET and total reflux and acid reflux indicated by bolus exposure compared to the lesions adjacent to the EGJ. CONCLUSIONS: Stronger gastro-esophageal reflux appeared to be an important factor in the development of adenocarcinoma from BE. In addition, the cancer location in BE may be related to the intensity of esophageal reflux.

Japanese Wolves are Genetically Divided into Two Groups Based on an 8-Nucleotide Insertion/Deletion within the mtDNA Control Region.

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (198- to 598-bp) of four ancient Canis specimens (two Canis mandibles, a cranium, and a first phalanx) was examined, and each specimen was genetically identified as Japanese wolf. Two unique nucleotide substitutions, the 78-C insertion and the 482-G deletion, both of which are specific for Japanese wolf, were observed in each sample. Based on the mtDNA sequences analyzed, these four specimens and 10 additional Japanese wolf samples could be classified into two groups- Group A (10 samples) and Group B (4 samples)-which contain or lack an 8-bp insertion/deletion (indel), respectively. Interestingly, three dogs (Akita-b, Kishu 25, and S-husky 102) that each contained Japanese wolf-specific features were also classified into Group A or B based on the 8-bp indel. To determine the origin or ancestor of the Japanese wolf, mtDNA control regions of ancient continental Canis specimens were examined; 84 specimens were from Russia, and 29 were from China. However, none of these 113 specimens contained Japanese wolf-specific sequences. Moreover, none of 426 Japanese modern hunting dogs examined contained these Japanese wolf-specific mtDNA sequences. The mtDNA control region sequences of Groups A and B appeared to be unique to grey wolf and dog populations.

Loss of NSD2 causes dysregulation of synaptic genes and altered H3K36 dimethylation in mice.

Background: Epigenetic disruptions have been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. NSD2 is associated with developmental delay/intellectual disability; however, its role in brain development and function remains unclear. Methods: We performed transcriptomic and epigenetic analyses using Nsd2 knockout mice to better understand the role of NSD2 in the brain. Results and discussion: Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the loss of NSD2 caused dysregulation of genes related to synaptic transmission and formation. By analyzing changes in H3 lysine 36 dimethylation (H3K36me2), NSD2-mediated H3K36me2 mainly marked quiescent state regions and the redistribution of H3K36me2 occurred at transcribed genes and enhancers. By integrating transcriptomic and epigenetic data, we observed that H3K36me2 changes in a subset of dysregulated genes related to synaptic transmission and formation. These results suggest that NSD2 is involved in the regulation of genes important for neural function through H3K36me2. Our findings provide insights into the role of NSD2 and improve our understanding of epigenetic regulation in the brain.

Characteristics of symptomatic reflux episodes in Japanese proton pump inhibitor-refractory non-erosive reflux disease patients.

AIM: To clarify the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients. METHODS: Thirty-five NERD patients with persistent symptoms, despite taking rabeprazole 10 mg twice daily for at least 8 wk, were included in this study. All patients underwent 24 h combined impedance - pH on rabeprazole. The symptom index (SI) was considered to be positive if ≥ 50%, and proximal reflux episodes were determined when reflux reached 15 cm above the proximal margin of the lower esophageal sphincter. RESULTS: In 14 (40%) SI-positive patients, with liquid weakly acid reflux, the occurrence rate of reflux symptoms was significantly more frequent in proximal reflux episodes (46.7%) than in distal ones (5.7%) (P < 0.001). With liquid acid reflux, there were no significant differences in the occurrence rate of reflux symptoms between proximal reflux episodes (38.5%) and distal ones (20.5%) (NS). With mixed liquid-gas weakly acid reflux, the occurrence rate of reflux symptoms in proximal reflux episodes was significantly more frequent (31.0%) than in distal reflux ones (3.3%) (P < 0.001). With mixed liquid-gas acid reflux, there were no significant differences in the occurrence rate of reflux symptoms between proximal reflux episodes (29.4%) and distal ones (14.3%) (NS). CONCLUSION: The proximal extent of weakly acidic liquid and mixed liquid-gas reflux is a major factor associated with reflux perception in SI-positive patients on proton pump inhibitor therapy.

Exfoliation of one-dimensional TiO5 chain in K2TiO3.

Potassium titanate, K2TiO3, with a chain structure of TiO5 polyhedra was exfoliated in an aqueous nitric acid solution of pH ≤ 1 and Tyndall scattering due to the colloid formed by the exfoliation was observed. The colloidal particle size measured by dynamic light scattering was approximately 300 nm. The stripe pattern observed by transmission electron microscopy for the aggregated grains after their drying suggested that the TiO5 chains were exfoliated in acid solution. X-ray absorption showed that the coordination polyhedron around Ti(4+) changed from a square pyramid in K2TiO3 powder to a distorted octahedron formed with the additional hydronium ions in the acidic solution.

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for metallothionein-I and -II in plasma of humans and experimental animals.

BACKGROUND: An easy and specific enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for the determination of metallothionein-1 (MT-1) and 2 (MT-2) simultaneously in serum and other biological specimens in humans and experimental animals has not been developed yet. METHODS: We developed a competitive ELISA, a specific polyclonal antibody against rat MT-2. The epitope mapping of the antibody was conducted using MTs in mouse, rat, rabbit, human and the fragment peptides of human MT-2. MT1/2 and MT-3 knock-out mice and cadmium treated mice were used for the evaluation of the ELISA. Pretreatment method of serum was examined to deplete blocking factors for this assay. RESULTS: The antibody used for this ELISA had the same cross-reactivity with MT in humans and experimental animals. NH2 terminal peptide of MT with acetylated methionine was proved to be the epitope of this antibody. The reactivity of this ELISA system with liver, kidney and brain in MT1/2 knock-out mice was significantly low, but was normal in MT-3 knock-out mouse. The lowest detection limit of this ELISA was 0.6 ng/ml and the added MT-1 was fully recovered from serum. The mean MT concentration in our preliminary study was 23+/-4.6 ng/ml in human serum. Cadmium treatment to mice induced significantly higher amount of MT in serum, liver, kidney and spleen as reported previously by different established methods. CONCLUSION: The proposed competitive ELISA is an easy and specific method for practical use, determining total MT-1 and -2 simultaneously in serum and other biological specimens of human and experimental animals.