[The role of peripheral retinal defocus in myopia progression].

The increasing incidence of myopia has become a global public health concern. Exploring the mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of myopia is crucial for prevention and control. This paper reviews the role of peripheral retinal defocus mechanisms in the development of myopia, with particular emphasis on the interaction between accommodation lag and peripheral retinal defocus, as well as the impact of optical intervention on myopia control effectiveness. In recent years, researchers have developed various optical tools for myopia prevention and control based on the peripheral retinal defocus theory, such as peripheral defocus spectacle lenses, orthokeratology lenses, and peripheral defocus soft contact lenses. This paper aims to provide clinicians with the latest research findings to deepen their understanding of the mechanisms involved in myopia development and to guide the future development and clinical application of myopia prevention and control products.

[Clinical characteristics and outcomes of 112 cardiovascular disease patients infected by 2019-nCoV].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and prognosis of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV patients combined with cardiovascular disease （CVD). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 112 COVID-19 patients with CVD admitted to the western district of Union Hospital in Wuhan, from January 20, 2020 to February 15, 2020. They were divided into critical group (ICU, n=16) and general group (n=96) according to the severity of the disease and patients were followed up to the clinical endpoint. The observation indicators included total blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), arterial blood gas analysis, myocardial injury markers, coagulation function, liver and kidney function, electrolyte, procalcitonin (PCT), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), blood lipid, pulmonary CT and pathogen detection. Results: Compared with the general group, the lymphocyte count (0.74 (0.34, 0.94)×109/L vs. 0.99 (0.71, 1.29)×109/L, P=0.03) was extremely lower in the critical group, CRP (106.98 (81.57, 135.76) mg/L vs. 34.34 (9.55,76.54) mg/L, P<0.001) and PCT (0.20 (0.15,0.48) µg/L vs. 0.11 (0.06,0.20) µg/L, P<0.001) were significantly higher in the critical group. The BMI of the critical group was significantly higher than that of the general group (25.5 (23.0, 27.5) kg/m2 vs. 22.0 (20.0, 24.0) kg/m2，P=0.003). Patients were further divided into non-survivor group (17, 15.18%) group and survivor group (95, 84.82%). Among the non-survivors, there were 88.24% (15/17) patients with BMI> 25.0 kg/m2, which was significantly higher than that of survivors (18.95% (18/95), P<0.001). Compared with the survived patients, oxygenation index (130 (102, 415) vs. 434 (410, 444), P<0.001) was significantly lower and lactic acid (1.70 (1.30, 3.00) mmol/L vs. 1.20 (1.10, 1.60) mmol/L, P<0.001) was significantly higher in the non-survivors. There was no significant difference in the proportion of ACEI/ARB medication between the critical group and the general group or between non-survivors and survivors （all P>0.05). Conclusion: COVID-19 patients combined with CVD are associated with a higher risk of mortality. Critical patients are characterized with lower lymphocyte counts. Higher BMI are more often seen in critical patients and non-survivor. ACEI/ARB use does not affect the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 combined with CVD. Aggravating causes of death include fulminant inflammation, lactic acid accumulation and thrombotic events.

A functional macrophage migration inhibitory factor promoter polymorphism is associated with reduced diffusing capacity.

Cigarette smoke exposure is the leading modifiable risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, the clinical and pathologic consequences of chronic cigarette smoke exposure are variable among smokers. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine implicated in the pathogenesis of COPD. Within the promoter of the MIF gene is a functional polymorphism that regulates MIF expression (-794 CATT5-8 microsatellite repeat) ( rs5844572 ). The role of this polymorphim in mediating disease susceptibility to COPD-related traits remains unknown. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of DNA samples from 641 subjects to analyze MIF-794 CATT5-8 ( rs5844572 ) polymorphism by standard methods. We generated multivariable logistic regression models to determine the risk of low expressing MIF alleles for airflow obstruction [defined by forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity ratio <0.70] and an abnormal diffusion capacity [defined by a diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) percent predicted <80%]. We then used generalized linear models to determine the association of MIF genotypes with FEV1 percent predicted and DLCO percent predicted. The MIF-794 CATT5 allele was associated with an abnormal diffusion capacity in two cohorts [odds ratio (OR): 9.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.97-4.06; and OR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.03-4.75]. Similarly, the MIF-794 CATT5 allele was associated with a reduced DLCO percentage predicted in these two cohorts: 63.5 vs. 70.0 ( P = 0.0023) and 60.1 vs. 65.4 ( P = 0.059). This study suggests an association between a common genetic polymorphism of an endogenous innate immune gene, MIF, with reduced DLCO, an important measurement of COPD severity.

Comparative transcriptome profiles of Lindian chicken eyelids identify melanin genes controlling eyelid pigmentation.

1. During the long history of chicken domestication, eyelid colour, like skin colour and shank colour, has been one of the physical traits of Chinese indigenous chickens that influence consumer buying behaviour. In China, the Lindian chicken, which has coloured feathers, is renowned for the appetizing flavour of its meat and eggs, and its eyelid colours vary from deep (black) to light shades (light yellow). 2. To investigate genes involved in eyelid colour, the expression profiles of black and light-yellow eyelids of Lindian chickens were analysed with transcriptome sequencing. 3. A total of 13 466 genes were detected in the eyelids, among which 14 were differentially expressed. Among these differentially expressed genes (DEGs), three key genes, premelanosome protein (PMEL), dopachrome tautomerase (DCT), and tyrosinase (TYR), encoded proteins that positively regulate melanogenesis and melanin deposition. PMEL, DCT and TYR were expressed much more strongly in the black eyelids than in the light-yellow eyelids. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that tyrosine metabolism and melanogenesis genes were significantly enriched among these DEGs (corrected P < 0.05). 4. In conclusion, melanin may be one of the main factors involved in Lindian chicken eyelid colour. Furthermore, these results provide a valuable resource for the future study of the physical traits of Lindian chicken.

Time-lapse observation and transcriptome analysis of a case with repeated multiple pronuclei after IVF/ICSI.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cause of repeated multipronucleus (MPN) formation in zygotes in a patient after both in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHOD: This is a case study. A patient had unexplained primary infertility with recurring total MPN zygotes after IVF and ICSI cycles. Time-lapse monitoring of pronucleus formation was carried out. Embryos developed from MPN zygotes were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Single-cell RNA-seq analysis was used to identify gene expression profiles of the patient's oocyte and zygote, and these were compared to the data from oocytes and zygotes from donors with normal fertilization (patient, n = 1; donors, n = 4). Oocyte-specific genes with differential expression were selected by the Amazonia! RESULTS: From time-lapse analysis, we observed the formation of multiple micronuclei near the site of the second polar body extrusion. These micronuclei migrated, expanded, and juxtaposed with the male pronucleus leading to a multipronucleus. None of these MPN zygotes could develop to the blastocyst stage, and FISH analysis revealed a chaotic chromosomal complement in the arrested embryos. RNA-seq analysis showed 113 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the patient and the donor oocytes and zygotes. Moreover, 25 of the 113 DEGs were unique or highly expressed in oocytes and early embryos. From 25 DEGs, three genes, DYNC2LI1, NEK2, and CCNH, which are involved in meiosis and the chromosome separation process, were further validated by real-time PCR. CONCLUSION: We identified several candidate genes affecting pronucleus formation as a new cause of infertility.

800Gb/s (8x128Gb/s) unrepeatered transmission over 515-km large-area ultra-low-loss fiber using 2nd-order Raman pumping.

We demonstrate unrepeatered transmission of 8x128Gb/s PDM-QPSK signals over a 515k-m fiber link. This ultra-long distance of 800 Gb/s unrepeatered transmission in a single fiber configuration is achieved by employing enabling techniques such as large-effective-area ultra-low-attenuation fibers, co-propagating and counter-propagating 2nd-order-pumped distributed Raman amplification, and remote optically pumped amplifier (ROPA). The ROPA itself is also counter-propagating 2nd-order Raman pumped. The designs and characteristics of the ROPA and 2nd-order pumped distributed Raman amplification are described, and optimization of the transmission performance of this ultra-long reach 800Gb/s unrepeatered transmission fiber link is discussed in this paper.

Selection against abdominal fat percentage may increase intramuscular fat content in broilers.

Excessive abdominal fat content (AFC) has negative impacts on feed efficiency and carcass quality. Unlike AFC, intramuscular fat content (IMFC) could be a favourable trait, which has a positive impact on meat quality. To meet consumers' needs, a long-term goal of broiler breeders is to decrease AFC and improve the IMFC simultaneously. The current study was designed to investigate the relationship between AFC and IMFC and to compare IMFC, including the pectoral major muscle fat content (PIMFC) and intramuscular fat content of leg muscle (LIMFC), between two broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat percentage over 17 generations. The results showed that there was a significant difference in PIMFC and LIMFC between the two lines in all five generation populations used. The birds in the lean line had significantly lower AFC but higher PIMFC and LIMFC than the birds in the fat line. We also detected differences in the liver fat content (LFC) between the two lines and the results showed that birds in the fat line had significant higher LFC than birds in the lean line. Our results indicated that a desirable broiler line with higher IMFC but lower AFC could be obtained by genetic selection.

Cleavage pattern predicts developmental potential of day 3 human embryos produced by IVF.

Time-lapse technique provides opportunities to observe the dynamic process of human early development. Previous studies have suggested several abnormal division patterns were associated with decreased developmental potential, but no systematic results are currently available. In this study, seven abnormal division patterns were observed during early cleavage, and these had different effects on the further development potential of daughter blastomeres. According to the severity and occurrence of abnormal division patterns during the initial three cleavages, an embryo hierarchical classification model was developed and day 3 embryos were classified into six grades (from A to F). The good-quality blastocyst formation rate for these grades decreased from 70.8-3.8% (P < 0.001). In a prospective observational study, 139 IVF cycles were recruited to assess the efficiency of this classification model. In the embryos that had confirmed implantation results, the implantation rate decreased from 67.0% (Grade A) to 0% (Grade D;P < 0.001). These results indicated that cleavage patterns can predict the developmental potential of day 3 human embryos.

Microarray analysis of differentially expressed genes in the liver between Bai'er layers and broilers.

In this study, we profiled gene expression in chicken liver and screened differentially expressed genes in the Bai'er layers and fat line broilers. Birds were derived from the 14th generation of Northeast Agricultural University fat broiler lines and Bai'er layers. Chicken genome arrays were used to screen differentially expressed genes in liver tissue from the Bai'er layers and fat line broilers. We screened 671 differentially expressed genes between broilers and layers at the ages of 2 and 4 weeks. We observed enrichment of a series of significant pathways, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, cell cycle, mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway, and p53 signaling pathway. At 2 and 4 weeks, 94 shared differentially expressed genes were observed. We speculated that these genes regulate chicken lipid metabolism.

Estimating the genetic parameters for liver fat traits in broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat.

Intensive selection of broilers for improved growth rate is known to exert a negative effect on broiler health, such as an increase in body fat (and its related diseases). Excessive fat deposition in the liver can cause fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS); in addition, traits associated with liver fat have also been associated with FLHS. This study explored the genetic relationships among liver fat-related traits. Data was collected from 462 birds derived from 16th generation Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content. The body weight at 7 weeks of age (BW7), abdominal fat weight (AFW), abdominal fat percentage, liver fat percentage (LFP), liver weight, and liver percentage were measured. The heritability of these traits and the phenotypic and genetic correlations were estimated, using the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and Gibbs sampling (GS) methods. The REML and GS methods yielded similar heritability estimates for LFP (0.36 and 0.37, respectively). BW7 showed a high positive genetic correlation with AFW (rA(REML) = 0.74 and rA(GS) = 0.80), and a moderate positive genetic correlation with LFP (rA(REML) = 0.27 and rA(GS) = 0.39). Positive genetic correlations were also observed between AFW and LFP (rA(REML) = 0.35 and rA(GS) = 0.36). These results suggested that selection for growth may increase the AFW and LFP in broilers. LFP is directly related to FLHS; therefore, selection for broiler growth rate may increase the incidence of FLHS.

Differentially expressed genes in the liver of lean and fat chickens.

This study aimed to investigate gene expression in the chicken liver for lean and fat broiler lines. Birds used in this study were 2 and 4 weeks of age; they were derived from the 14th generation of Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines, which were divergently selected based on abdominal fat content. Chicken Genome Arrays were used to screen differentially expressed genes in the liver tissue from lean and fat birds. At 2 and 4 weeks of age, 770 and 452 genes were differentially expressed between the 2 lines, respectively. The differentially expressed genes were involved in Wnt, insulin signaling, and cell cycle pathways. At 2 and 4 weeks, 42 shared, differentially expressed genes were revealed by the analysis. We speculate that these genes might regulate chicken lipid metabolism.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibezo-p-dioxin exposure and prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of cohort studies.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a meta-analysis of cohort studies and evaluate the association between exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and prostate cancer quantitatively. STUDY DESIGN: Publications before April 2012 about populations exposed to TCDD were searched in PubMed. Only cohort studies were included. Extraction and quality assessment of included articles was performed independently by two authors using the MOOSE guidelines. METHODS: A total of 17 cohort studies on prostate cancer with information about standardized mortality ratios (SMR), risk ratio (RR), standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and TCDD exposure were included. SMRs and RRs were pooled separately after weighing each study by calculating the inverse of the estimated variance. RESULTS: Based on the 13 reported SMRs or SIRs, the meta-analysis yielded a meta-SMR of 1.26 (95% confidence interval 1.00-1.57, P = 0.046). The meta-RR, based on four reported RR from four cohorts, was 1.04 (95% confidence interval 0.85-1.28). Begg's funnel plot showed little evidence of publication bias (Egger's test P-value = 0.817). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that exposure to TCDD is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer.

MIF is a common genetic determinant of COVID-19 symptomatic infection and severity.

BACKGROUND: Genetic predisposition to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may contribute to its morbidity and mortality. Because cytokines play an important role in multiple phases of infection, we examined whether commonly occurring, functional polymorphisms in macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) are associated with COVID-19 infection or disease severity. AIM: To determine associations of common functional polymorphisms in MIF with symptomatic COVID-19 or its severity. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study utilized 1171 patients with COVID-19 from three tertiary medical centers in the USA, Hungary and Spain, together with a group of 637 pre-pandemic, healthy control subjects. Functional MIF promoter alleles (-794 CATT5-8,rs5844572), serum MIF and soluble MIF receptor levels, and available clinical characteristics were measured and correlated with COVID-19 diagnosis and hospitalization. Experimental mice genetically engineered to express human high- or low-expression MIF alleles were studied for response to coronavirus infection. RESULTS: In patients with COVID-19, there was a lower frequency of the high-expression MIF CATT7 allele when compared to healthy controls [11% vs. 19%, odds ratio (OR) 0.54 [0.41-0.72], P < 0.0001]. Among inpatients with COVID-19 (n = 805), there was a higher frequency of the MIF CATT7 allele compared to outpatients (n = 187) (12% vs. 5%, OR 2.87 [1.42-5.78], P = 0.002). Inpatients presented with higher serum MIF levels when compared to outpatients or uninfected healthy controls (87 ng/ml vs. 35 ng/ml vs. 29 ng/ml, P < 0.001, respectively). Among inpatients, circulating MIF concentrations correlated with admission ferritin (r = 0.19, P = 0.01) and maximum CRP (r = 0.16, P = 0.03) levels. Mice with a human high-expression MIF allele showed more severe disease than those with a low-expression MIF allele. CONCLUSIONS: In this multinational retrospective study of 1171 subjects with COVID-19, the commonly occurring -794 CATT7MIF allele is associated with reduced susceptibility to symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection but increased disease progression as assessed by hospitalization. These findings affirm the importance of the high-expression CATT7MIF allele, which occurs in 19% of the population, in different stages of COVID-19 infection.

Effect of lignin on oxidative stress in chickens fed a diet contaminated with zearalenone.

The effect of lignin supplementation to a diet contaminated with zearalenone (ZEA) on antioxidant status was studied in female chickens of the ISA BROWN laying strain. From the day of hatching to 2 weeks of age, four groups of chickens were fed the same uncontaminated control diet. After 14 days, Group 1 (control) continued to receive the uncontaminated diet, while Group 2 was fed an identical diet enriched with 0.5% chemically modified lignin. Simultaneously, chickens of Group 3 were switched to a diet contaminated with 7.9 mg/kg ZEA and those of Group 4 to an identical contaminated diet supplemented with 0.5% lignin. At 6 weeks of age blood and tissue samples were collected. Feeding of a diet contaminated with a high level of ZEA resulted in elevated glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the duodenal mucosa and kidney tissues, and an increased γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity in the plasma, indicative of oxidative stress. In the liver tissue, no mycotoxin-induced response in GPx and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activities occurred, and the malondialdehyde (MDA) level was even reduced. Neither the plasma levels of retinol and α-tocopherol nor the activities of superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes and GPx in blood were affected in birds fed the contaminated diet. The only effect of lignin supplemented to the contaminated feed was that it prevented the increase of GPx activity in the duodenal mucosa as an indicator of oxidative stress.

Elevated levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in women with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a complex clinical disorder characterized by obesity, a disturbance of glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, leading to increased cardiovascular risk. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine produced both by innate immune cells and by adipocytes, and it plays an important role in inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. The goal of this study was to evaluate the expression of circulating MIF in patients with metabolic syndrome. A study was conducted involving 172 persons who attended the Jeju National University Hospital Health Promotion Center. Among the 172 subjects, 88 patients with metabolic syndrome and 84 healthy control subjects were included. Serum MIF levels were considerably higher in patients with metabolic syndrome than in healthy subjects (mean±SEM, 1413.0-pg/ml±102.6 vs. 1077.0-pg/ml±-91.3, p=0.016). Among the metabolic syndrome patients, MIF levels were significantly increased in women (1403.0-pg/ml±114.2 vs. 921.3 pg/ml±117.3, p=0.005), but not in men. Even after further linear regression adjustment for age and body mass index, the expression of MIF for women with metabolic syndrome was still clearly elevated when compared to healthy subjects (p=0.011). Circulating MIF concentrations showed a gender disparity between healthy and metabolic syndrome subjects. An elevation of systemic MIF in women with metabolic syndrome may contribute to pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome or to the development of metabolic syndrome-related diseases, such as atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Comparison of adipose tissue cellularity in chicken lines divergently selected for fatness.

After 13 generations of divergent selection for abdominal fatness, 2 chicken lines (a fat line and a lean line) have been established. To clarify the cellular mechanism underlying the differences in fatness between the fat and lean lines, cellularity characteristics of the abdominal adipose tissues were analyzed during the first 7 wk of age by electron microscopy, proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining, and DNA content measurement. The abdominal fat percentage at 7 wk of age in the fat chicken line was 3.8 times that of the lean line, and was accompanied by a 1.3-fold increase in adipocyte diameter and a 2.4-fold increase in adipocyte number. The total cell number of the abdominal fat pad in the fat chicken line was 1.9 times that of the lean line at 7 wk of age. However, no significant difference was observed in the proliferation rate of stroma vascular fraction cells between the 2 chicken lines. These findings suggest that the divergently selected fat and lean chickens have different adipose tissue ontogeny.

A morphometric study of the thoracolumbar spine spinous process and lamina space in the Chinese.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to analyse the anatomical parameters of the thoracolumbar spine spinous process and lamina space for Chinese anatomic study, and provide an anatomical reference for its clinical operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples from 24 adult autopsy subjects were obtained from the thoracolumbar spine spinous process and lamina space at levels T1 through L5. Direct measurements were made for the spinous process spacing distance, spinous process length, width, thickness and inclination angle, and the lamina space width and height. RESULTS: 1. Distance of the spine spinous process spacing: Thoracic part: The maximum tip distance was observed at T4~T5 level, and the minimum tip distance was observed at T9~T10 level. The maximum centre distance and root distance were observed at T11~T12 level, and the minimum were observed at T5~T6 level separately. Lumbar part: distance of spinous process spacing in lumbar part showed a decreasing pattern from L1~L2 to L5~S1. 2. Length, width, thickness of the spine spinous process: 1) The length of the spinous process: The upper border gradually increased from T1 to T6 and then decreased till T12 region. The centre region is T8 maximum, T11 minimum. The lower border length showed a decreasing trend from T1 to T12. Lumbar part: The length increased from L1 and reached maximum value at L3. Then, the length decreased gradually to reach minimum value at L5. 2) The width of the spinous process: The width showed an increasing trend from T1 to T12. Lumbar part: Maximum width was seen at L3 and a minimum L5. 3) The thickness of the spinous process: Tip thickness > Centre thickness > Root thickness in each thoracic and lumbar vertebra. Thoracic part: the maximum tip thickness is T1, T7 minimum, The maximum centre thickness is T12, T7 minimum. The maximum root height is T6, T9 minimum. Lumbar part: Maximum tip thickness was seen at L1, and a minimum L3. Maximum centre thickness was seen at L5, and a minimum L2. Maximum root thickness was seen at L2, and a minimum L1. 3. Inclination angle of the spine spinous process: The inclination angle gradually decreased from T1 to T7 to minimum value at T7 and then increased till T12 region. 4. Width and height of lamina space: 1) The width of lamina space: For thoracic part, the data became shorter gradually from T1~T2 to T5~T6, and then increased till to T11~T12. For lumbar part, the width of lamina space increased from T12~L1 to L5~S1. 2) The height of lamina space: In the thoracic vertebrae, the maximum height of centre region was observed at T11~T12 and the minimum mean value was observed at T3~T4. In the lumbar vertebrae, the height of the lamina space was gradually increased from T12~L1 to L5~S1. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports morphometric data of the thoracolumbar spine spinous process and lamina space in the Chinese population, which provides an anatomic basis for thoracolumbar spine design of internal fixation, posterior surgery, puncture and epidural anaesthesia.

Tissue expression characterization of chicken adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein and its expression difference between fat and lean birds in abdominal fat tissue.

Fatty acid-binding proteins are considered to be the carriers for the transportation of intracellular fatty acids and play an important role in the development of fatness traits. Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is one of the family members. The current study was designed to analyze the tissue expression characterization of chicken A-FABP and its expression difference between the fat and lean males in abdominal fat tissue to reveal the possible relationship between the expression of A-FABP and abdominal fat tissue development and growth in chicken. First, fusion protein glutathione S-transferase/A-FABP was induced and purified, and then the antiserum containing specific polyclonal antibodies was obtained by immunizing healthy female rabbits using the purified fusion protein. Second, tissue expression characterization of A-FABP was investigated by Western blot. Finally, A-FABP expression difference in abdominal fat tissue between the fat and lean males was investigated by real-time reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot methods. The results showed that A-FABP expressed specifically in abdominal fat tissue and the mRNA expression level of A-FABP in fat males was lower than that of lean males at 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10 wk of age (P<0.05), and the protein expression level of fat males was lower than that of lean males at 6 and 10 wk of age (P<0.05). These results suggested that chicken A-FABP might affect abdominal fat deposition through changing its expression level, and the possible mechanism may be that a high expression level of A-FABP induced the high lipolytic rate and led to the decreased abdominal fat mass accordingly.

Clinical-scale elutriation as a means of enriching antigen-presenting cells and manipulating alloreactivity.

BACKGROUND AIMS: Clinical-scale elutriation using the Elutra(c) has been shown to enrich monocytes reliably for immunotherapy protocols. Until now, a detailed assessment of the four (F1-F4) non-monocyte fractions derived from this process has not been performed. METHODS: Using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), we performed phenotypic analyses to investigate the possible enrichment of T, B, natural killer (NK) and dendritic cells (DC) or their subsets in one or more Elutra fractions. RESULTS: Blood DC were enriched up to 10-fold in some fractions (F3 and F4) compared with the pre-elutriation apheresis product. This increased the number of DC that could be isolated from a given cell number by immunomagnetic separation. It was also found that CD62L(-) effector memory CD4(+) T cells were enriched in later fractions. In four of five cases tested, cells from F3 demonstrated decreased alloreactive proliferation in a mixed lymphocyte reaction compared with cells from the apheresis product. B cells were enriched in F1 compared with the apheresis product. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to providing enrichment of monocytes for the generation of DC, the Elutra enriches cell subsets that may be incorporated into and enhance existing immunotherapy and stem cell transplantation protocols.