Identification of several lncRNA-mRNA pairs associated with marbling trait between Nanyang and Angus cattle.

BACKGROUND: The marbling trait of cattle muscles, being a key indicator, played an important role in evaluating beef quality. Two breeds of cattle, namely a high-marbling (Angus) and a low-marbling (Nanyang) one, with their cattle muscles selected as our samples for transcriptome sequencing, were aimed to identify differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their targets associated with the marbling trait. RESULTS: Transcriptome sequencing identified 487 and 283 differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs respectively between the high-marbling (Angus) and low-marbling (Nanyang) cattle muscles. Twenty-seven pairs of differentially expressed lncRNAs-mRNAs, including eighteen lncRNAs and eleven target genes, were found to be involved in fat deposition and lipid metabolism. We established a positive correlation between fourteen up-regulated (NONBTAT000849.2, MSTRG.9591.1, NONBTAT031089.1, MSTRG.3720.1, NONBTAT029718.1, NONBTAT004228.2, NONBTAT007494.2, NONBTAT011094.2, NONBTAT015080.2, NONBTAT030943.1, NONBTAT021005.2, NONBTAT021004.2, NONBTAT025985.2, and NONBTAT023845.2) and four down-regulated (NONBTAT000850.2, MSTRG.22188.3, MSTRG.22188.4, and MSTRG.22188.5) lncRNAs and eleven genes related to adiponectin family protein (ADIPOQ), cytochrome P450 family (CYP4V2), 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase family (HACD4), kinesin family (KIF5C), lipin family (LPIN2), perilipin family (PLIN1), prostaglandin family (PTGIS), solute carrier family (SLC16A7, SLC2213, and SLCO4C1), and containing a transmembrane domain protein family (VSTM1). CONCLUSIONS: These candidate genes and lncRNAs can be regarded as being responsible for regulating the marbling trait of cattle. lncRNAs along with the variations in intramuscular fat marbling established a foundation for elucidating the genetic basis of high marbling in cattle.

KLK10 promotes the progression of KRAS mutant colorectal cancer via PAR1-PDK1-AKT signaling pathway.

Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) gene mutation is common in colorectal cancer (CRC) and is often predictive of treatment failure and poor prognosis. To understand the mechanism, we compared the transcriptome of CRC patients with wild-type and mutant KRAS and found that KRAS mutation is associated with the overexpression of a secreted serine protease, kallikrein-related peptidase 10 (KLK10). Moreover, using in vitro and in vivo models, we found that KLK10 overexpression favors the rapid growth and liver metastasis of KRAS mutant CRC and can also impair the efficacy of KRAS inhibitors, leading to drug resistance and poor survival. Further functional assays revealed that the oncogenic role of KLK10 is mediated by protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1). KLK10 cleaves and activates PAR1, which further activates 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1)-AKT oncogenic pathway. Notably, suppressing PAR1-PDK1-AKT cascade via KLK10 knockdown can effectively inhibit CRC progression and improve the sensitivity to KRAS inhibitor, providing a promising therapeutic strategy. Taken together, our study showed that KLK10 promotes the progression of KRAS mutant CRC via activating PAR1-PDK1-AKT signaling pathway. These findings expanded our knowledge of CRC development, especially in the setting of KRAS mutation, and also provided novel targets for clinical intervention.

Comparison of microRNAs in the intramuscular adipose tissue from Jinhua and Landrace pigs.

MicroRNA (miRNA) is critically involved in lipogenesis occurring in various body parts of humans and animals. In this study, to further investigate the role and distribution of miRNA in porcine intramuscular adipose tissue, small RNAs were extracted from Jinhua and Landrace pigs to identify the expression profiles of miRNAs. miRNA expression profiles revealed that 558 miRNAs including 287 known and 271 novel miRNAs were identified, and 220 of them showed differential expression in the pigs. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs were involved in fatty metabolism. In conclusion, the current study reveals the active participation of miRNAs in the regulation of adipogenesis in the intramuscular adipose tissue of Jinhua and Landrace pigs.

Interleukin-15 inhibits adipogenic differentiation of cattle bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells via regulating the crosstalk between signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A and Akt signalling.

Interleukin (IL)-15 is an important regulator of adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). This study was designed to clarify the underlying mechanism. BMSCs were obtained from Nanyang cattle and stimulated to differentiate into adipocytes using standard differentiation medium. Oil Red O staining was used to assess lipid accumulation. Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to assess protein and mRNA levels, respectively. Recombinant IL-15 treatment inhibited adipogenic differentiation of cattle BMSCs in vitro, as evidenced by reduced induction of the adipocyte markers, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and fatty acid binding protein 4 (αP2). IL-15 not only activated the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway, but also attenuated the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signalling by insulin, a major inducer of adipocyte differentiation. In the presence of the STAT-specific inhibitor, 573108, the inhibitory effect of IL-15 on PPARγ and αP2 expression was abolished. Meanwhile, IL-15-attenuated PI3K/Akt signalling was also rescued. IL-15 may regulate adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs by inhibiting PI3K/Akt activation via the STAT5A pathway. Our data raise the possibility of using IL-15 in the therapy of obesity-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

Identification and comparison of long non-conding RNA in Jinhua and Landrace pigs.

The regulatory role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in various biological functions has been demonstrated. However, their role in fat deposition and lipid metabolism in pigs remains less understood. To explore the expression profile of lncRNAs in Jinhua and Landrace pigs, we investigated the expression levels of lncRNAs in intramuscular adipose tissues obtained from these pigs. Results showed that the expression levels of lncRNAs in these pig breeds significantly (Fold Change ≥ 2.0, FDR < 0.05) differed. A total of 4910 lncRNAs were identified, and 119 of these lncRNAs were differentially expressed. Of these differentially expressed lncRNAs, 60 and 59 were up- and down-regulated, respectively. The differentially expressed lncRNAs are involved in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway, PI3k-Akt signaling pathway. We then compared these differentially expressed lncRNAs with mRNAs and found that six of the co-expressed lncRNAs were implicated in pathways related to fat deposition and lipid metabolism. Overall, our results revealed a remarkable difference in fat metabolism in intramuscular adipose tissues of pigs, and provide a basis for subsequent research on fat deposition.

The Effects of Poria cocos Polysaccharides on Growth Performance, Immunity, and Cecal Microflora Composition of Weaned Piglets.

This paper aims to identify Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCPs) as a potential feed additive used for swine production; thus, we explored the effects of different dietary inclusion levels of PCP on growth performance, immunity, and cecal microflora composition in weaned piglets. For this, a total of 120 28-day-old Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weaned piglets (8.51 ± 0.19 kg; 28 ± 1 days of age) were randomly allocated to five groups that were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% PCP, respectively, for 42 days. The results indicated that the average daily gain (ADG) and gain/feed ratio were higher in the PCP treatment groups than in the control group, with a linear effect. The serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, IL-2, IFN-γ, the number of CD4+ T cells, and the CD4+-to-CD8+ T-cell ratio (CD4+/CD8+) were increased, while the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased in the PCP supplementation groups compared with those in the control group. Furthermore, the cytokine mRNA expression levels exhibited a similar trend in the spleen. PCP supplementation also reduced the abundance of Escherichia coli and Salmonella and enhanced that of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in the cecum. In summary, dietary PCP inclusion exerted positive effects on the growth performance, immunity, and cecal microbiota of piglets and showed potential for use as a feed additive for improving the health of weaned piglets, with 0.1% being the optimal dosage.

Research Note: Poria cocos polysaccharide alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal inflammation and barrier damage in broiler chickens.

This study aimed to explore the impact of dietary supplementation of Poria cocos polysaccharide (PCP) on the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced intestinal inflammation, morphology, and barrier damage in broilers. A total of 240 1-day-old male Arbor Acre broilers were randomly divided into 4 groups in a 2 × 2 factorial design comprising PCP supplementation (0 or 2 g/kg PCP from d 1 to 23) and LPS challenge (intraperitoneal injection of 1.5 mg/kg body weight of LPS or the same volume of sterile saline at d 22). Our results showed that compared to the non-LPS-treated groups, the treated birds showed a decrease in the ADG, VH, V/C, and the expression of ZO-1, occludin, claudin 1, and mucin2 in the duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05). However, dietary PCP supplementation significantly mitigated these effects (P < 0.05) except for mucin2 in the duodenum. Furthermore, LPS treatment increased the levels of sIgA and upregulated the mRNA abundances of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, TLR-4, and MyD88 both in the duodenal and jejunal mucosa (P < 0.05). Whereas, PCP supplementation significantly reversed the LPS-induced effects on these genes (P < 0.05) except for the TLR-4 and MyD88. However, LPS did not impact the expression of anti-inflammatory IL-10 in the duodenal and jejunal mucosa (P > 0.05). Briefly, this study implied that dietary PCP supplementation could ameliorate intestinal inflammation and mucosal damage of LPS-challenged broilers, improving broiler performance.

Effects of baicalin and chlorogenic acid on growth performance, slaughter performance, antioxidant capacity, immune function and intestinal health of broilers.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of baicalin and chlorogenic acid (BC) on growth performance, intestinal barrier function, antioxidant capacity, intestinal microbiota, and mucosal metabolism in broilers. A total of 720 twenty-one-day-old broilers were randomly allocated into 3 groups, with 6 replicates per group and 40 chickens per replicate. They were fed a basal diet (Con group) or a basal diet supplemented with 250 or 400 mg/kg BC (BC250 and BC400 groups) for 40 consecutive days. The results revealed that 250 mg/kg BC significantly increased 60-d body weight and average daily gain during 39 to 60 d (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Supplementation with 250 mg/kg BC improved the antioxidant capacity and immunity of broilers, as evidenced by increased (P < 0.05) superoxide dismutase and decreased (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde levels in serum and ileum, as well as increased (P < 0.05) immunoglobulin G levels. Supplementation with 250 mg/kg BC enhanced intestinal development by improving intestinal morphology and promoting the proliferation of intestinal crypts. Moreover, Supplementation with 250 mg/kg BC improved (P < 0.05) intestinal permeability, up-regulated (P < 0.05) the expression of tight junction-related genes (Occludin and ZO-1), and down-regulated (P < 0.05) the expression of pro-inflammatory genes (IL-2, IL-8, and IFN-γ). 16S rRNA sequencing revealed significant enrichment of Microbacteriaceae, Micromonosporaceae, Anaerovoracaceae, and Coriobacteriaceae in the BC250 group. Metabolomics showed that 250 mg/kg BC up-regulated the lysosome, foxo signaling pathway, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor biosynthesis, and oxidative phosphorylation pathways, while down-regulating the biosynthesis of cofactors pathway. In conclusion, supplementing diets with 250 mg/kg BC is recommended to modulate intestinal microbiota, mucosal metabolism, and antioxidant capacity, thereby improving broiler growth performance and intestinal health.

Comparison of Growth Performance, Carcass Properties, Fatty Acid Profile, and Genes Involved in Fat Metabolism in Nanyang and Landrace Pigs.

This study compared the growth, carcass properties, fatty acid profile, lipid-producing enzyme activity, and expression pattern of genes involved in fat metabolism in Nanyang and Landrace pigs. In the study, 32 Nanyang (22.16 ± 0.59 kg) and 32 Landrace barrows (21.37 ± 0.57 kg) were selected and divided into two groups, each with eight pens and four pigs per pen. The trial period lasted 90 days. The findings showed that the Nanyang pigs had lower average daily weight gain and lean percentage and higher average backfat thickness and lipogenic enzyme activities, including for acetyl-CoA carboxylase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, and fatty acid synthase, than the Landrace pigs. A total of 14 long-chain fatty acids were detected using HPLC-MS, in which it was found that the levels of C14:0, C18:1n-9, C20:1n-9, C20:4n-6, and MUFA were up-regulated and C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, PUFA n6, n3/n6, and total PUFA were down-regulated in the Nanyang pigs. Moreover, the mRNA levels for genes involved in fat metabolism, ME1, FAS, and LPL, were higher and the expression of SREBP1 mRNA was lower in the Nanyang pigs. Our results suggest genetic differences between the pig breeds in terms of growth, carcass traits, lipogenic enzyme activities, fatty acid profile, and the mRNA expression of genes involved in fat metabolism in subcutaneous fat tissue, which may provide a basis for high-quality pork production. Further studies are needed to investigate the regulation of lipid metabolism.

Effects of dietary supplementation of glycerol monolaurate on laying performance, egg quality, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and immune function in late-phase laying hens.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of glycerol monolaurate (GML) on laying performance, egg quality, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and immune function in late-phase laying hens. A total of 480 Hy-Line Variety Brown hens (age 54 wk) were randomly assigned to 5 treatments: the control group (basal diet) and 4 GML groups (basal diet supplemented with 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg GML). Each treatment consisted of 8 replicates with 12 hens each and the trial lasted for 8 wk. The results showed that dietary inclusion of GML increased the ADFI in the entire experimental period and the average egg weight in wk 5 to 8 and wk 1 to 8 of the experiment (linear, P < 0.05). Dietary GML addition linearly increased albumen height, Haugh unit and yolk color, and quadratically increased eggshell thickness (P < 0.05). The serum SOD activity, T-AOC and IgG concentrations in the 200 mg/kg GML group, and GSH-Px activity in 200 and 300 mg/kg GML groups were increased, while the MDA concentration in 200 and 300 mg/kg GML groups was decreased than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The jejunal villus height and villus height: crypt depth in 300 mg/kg GML group were higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of TLR4, IL-1ß and TNF-α in spleen and jejunum decreased with the increase of dietary GML concentration (linear, P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary GML supplementation could improve egg quality, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and immune function in late-phase laying hens, and dietary 300 mg/kg GML inclusion is suggested.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Chinese Yam Polysaccharide on Carcass Composition, Meat Quality, and Antioxidant Capacity in Broilers.

The study aimed to evaluate the influences of the dietary supplementation of Chinese yam polysaccharide (CYP) on the carcass performance, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality of broilers. Three hundred and sixty healthy 1-day-old broilers with similar body weight (39 ± 1 g, gender balanced) were randomly divided into four groups (control, CYP1, CYP2, and CYP3 groups). In the control group, broilers were fed a basal diet with CYP, and the CYP1, CYP2, and CYP3 groups were fed diets supplemented with 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg CYP, respectively. There were three replicates in each group, 30 birds in each replicate, and the feeding trial lasted for 48 days. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) by one-way analysis of variance. The results showed that compared with the control group, dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg CYP can improve live weight, half-eviscerated carcass percentage, eviscerated carcass percentage, and thigh muscle percentage. Moreover, dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg CYP can improve the contents of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione s-transferase (GST) in serum (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), and catalase (CAT) in the liver; the mRNA expression levels of HO-1, NQO1, GPX1, and CAT in the breast muscle; and the mRNA expression levels of NQO1, SOD1, and CAT in the thigh muscle of broilers in the CYP2 group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). In addition, the yellowness and shear force of the thigh and breast muscles and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of broilers in the control group were higher than that in the CYP2 groups (p < 0.05). The results demonstrated that the CYP2 group had the best effect on improving meat quality. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg CYP can improve the meat quality of broilers by improving carcass quality, meat color, shear force, and antioxidant capacity.

Effects of dietary Chinese yam polysaccharide copper complex on growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant capacity of broilers.

Chinese yam polysaccharide (CYP) has received attention in recent years owing to its positive nutritional and medicinal characteristics. Copper is an essential trace metal in animals, which plays an important role in iron absorption and hemoglobin synthesis. However, no published study has evaluated Chinese yam polysaccharide copper complex (CYP-Cu) as a dietary additive in broilers. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary CYP-Cu on growth performance, immunity, and oxidative resistance in broilers. A total of 360 1-day-old 817 broiler chickens were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 3 replicates of 30 birds each and were fed a basal diet with the addition of 0 (control group), 0.02, 0.10, and 0.50 g/kg CYP-Cu. The feeding trial lasted 48 days. On day 28 and day 48, 6 broilers in each group were slaughtered, respectively. Then the parameters of growth and carcass, serum biochemistry, immunity, and antioxidation, and the expression level of hepatic antioxidative genes were investigated. The results showed that compared with the control group, the supplementation of dietary CYP-Cu could improve the indexes of the growth, carcass, serum biochemistry, immunity and oxidation resistance in broilers, such as average daily gain (ADG), the slaughter percentage (SP), semi-evisceration weight percentage (SEWP), eviscerated carcass weight percentage (EWP), breast muscle percentage (BMP), leg muscle percentage (LMP), serum albumin (ALB), high density lipoprotein (HDL), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), growth hormone (GH), insulin (INS), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 6 (IL-6), complement 3 (C3), complement 4 (C4), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione s-transferase (GSH-ST); these parameters in the 0.10 g/kg CYP-Cu treated group were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the total trial period, with the exceptions that feed conversion ratio (FCR) and serum low density lipoprotein (LDL), malondialdehyde (MDA) were decreased in the total trial period. In addition, the antioxidative gene mRNA expression of Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf 2), Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD 1), Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD 2), and Catalase (CAT) were upregulated in the liver (P < 0.05). These results indicated that the supplementation of dietary CYP-Cu improved the growth, immunity, and oxidation resistance of broilers, and the addition of 0.10 g/kg CYP-Cu in broiler diets is recommended, which suggests that CYP-Cu may be a promising green feed additive in the poultry industry.

Effects of Chinese Yam Polysaccharide on Intramuscular Fat and Fatty Acid Composition in Breast and Thigh Muscles of Broilers.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influences of Chinese yam polysaccharide (CYP) dietary supplementation on the composition of intramuscular fat (IMF) and fatty acids (FA) in thigh and breast muscles of broilers. Three hundred and sixty healthy one-day-old broilers (the breed of Crossbred chicken is named 817) with gender-balanced and similar body weight (39 ± 1 g) were randomly allocated into four groups (control, CYP1, CYP2, and CYP3 groups). Broilers in the control group were only fed a basal diet, and broilers in CYP1 group were fed the same diets further supplemented with 250 mg/kg CYP, the CYP2 group was fed the same diets further supplemented with 500 mg/kg CYP, and the CYP3 group was fed the same diets further supplemented with 1000 mg/kg CYP, respectively. Each group consisted of three replicates and each replicate consisted of 30 birds. The feeding days were 48 days. The results observed that the CYP2 group (500 mg/kg) can up-regulate the mRNA expression levels of ß-catenin in thigh muscle compared to the control group. At the same time, all CYP groups (CYP1, CYP2, and CYP3 groups) can up-regulate mRNA expression of Wnt1 and ß-catenin in breast muscle, while mRNA expression of PPARγ and C/EBPα in breast and thigh muscles could be down-regulated (p < 0.05). In summary, 500 mg/kg of CYP dietary supplementation can reduce IMF content and improve the FAs composition, enhancing the nutritional value of chicken meat.

A comprehensive review of the progress of cell migration inducing hyaluronidase 1.

The gene cell migration inducing hyaluronidase 1 (CEMIP) is on chromosome 15q25 and codes for a 150-kDa protein with an N-terminal secretion signal, a G8 domain, 2 GG domains, and several repeats. It was first described as a specific protein in the inner ear relating to nonsyndromic hearing loss. Recently, increasing research detected its association in various cancers, determining the progression, metastasis, and prognosis by influencing the proliferation and invasion of the cells. This relation is accomplished through various interacting pathways, such as the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway. Thus, CEMIP could be a novel and potential focus for tumor diagnosis and treatment, but further studies on the regulatory role of CEMIP in vivo and in vitro are still needed. Herein, we summarize the process in recent studies of CEMIP, especially in cancer research.

Effects of Chinese yam polysaccharides on the immune function and serum biochemical indexes of broilers.

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of Chinese yam polysaccharides (CYP) in diets on the immune function of broilers. A total of 360 (1-day-old, sex balance) healthy growing broilers with similar body weight (39.54 ± 0.51 g) were randomly divided into control (0.00 g/kg), CYP I (0.25 g/kg), CYP II (0.50 g/kg), and CYP III (1.00 g/kg) groups. Each group contains 3 replicates with 30 broilers in each replicate, and the feeding trial lasted 48 d. The results showed that compared with the control group, the CYP II group had higher thymus index, serum IgA, complement C3, C4, IGF-I, T3, T4, INS, GH, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α levels (P < 0.05) at 28, 48 d, respectively. In addition, the spleen index, serum IgM and IgG concentrations in CYP II group were higher than those in the control group at 28 d (P < 0.05). Results indicated that 0.50 g/kg CYP supplementation improved the immune function of broilers, and the CYP has a potential biological function as a green additive in broilers.

Effects of Chinese yam Polysaccharides on the Muscle Tissues Development-Related Genes Expression in Breast and Thigh Muscle of Broilers.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary Chinese yam polysaccharides (CYP) on myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD1), myogenin (MYOG), and myostatin (MSTN) mRNA expression of breast and thigh muscle tissues in broilers. A total of 360 (1-day-old, gender-balanced) crossbred broilers chicks with similar body weight (BW) were randomly distributed into four groups, with three replicates in each group and each replicate included 30 broilers. The feeding trial lasted for 48 days. Experimental broilers were fed 0.00 mg/kg basal diet (control group), 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg CYP, respectively. The results showed that CYP250 and CYP500 groups had higher thigh muscle percentage (TMP) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of MYOD1, MYOG mRNA in breast muscle tissues of CYP500 and CYP1000 groups was higher (p < 0.05), and the expression of MSTN mRNA in thigh muscle of CYP250, CYP500, and CYP1000 groups was lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the expression of MYOD1 mRNA in the thigh muscle tissue of each group (p > 0.05). Bivariate correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of MYOD1, MYOG, and MSTN mRNA in the thigh muscle tissue of broiler chickens in the CYP500 group were positively correlated with TMP. However, the expression of MYOG mRNA in thigh muscle tissue of the CYP1000 group was negatively correlated with TMP. In general, this study indicated that appropriate dietary CYP supplementation influenced the growth and development of thigh muscle tissue in broilers by altering TMP and muscle tissue development-related genes expression. Therefore, CYP could be used as a potential feed additive to promote the development of muscle tissues in broilers.

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2-mediated paired box 8 methylation promotes gastrointestinal stromal tumor progression through Wnt4 downregulation.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a refractory malignant tumor without satisfactory therapy. In recent years, aberrant gene methylation has been highlighted as an inducer for tumor progression. In this study, we explored whether enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)-mediated paired box 8 (PAX8) methylation affects GIST development through regulation of Wnt4. A total of 50 cases of GIST tissues were collected and the human GIST cell lines were cultured. PAX8 methylation was examined using MS-PCR. Following loss- and gain-function approaches, GIST cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were examined by CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay and flow cytometry. The expression of proliferation related factors and apoptosis related factors was determined. Finally, xenograft tumors in nude mice were observed to examine in vivo tumorigenicity of GIST cells. Downregulated PAX8 and upregulated EZH2 expression was found in GIST tissues. Overexpression of PAX8 or suppression of PAX8 methylation using DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza-dC inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GIST cells while promoting their apoptosis (diminished PCNA, Ki67 and Bcl-2, elevated Bax, and cleaved caspase-3). EZH2 promoted PAX8 methylation to inhibit its expression. Downregulated PAX8 decreased Wnt4 expression to accelerate GIST progression both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, EZH2 inhibits PAX8 expression by promoting its methylation, which thus downregulates Wnt4 expression, thereby promoting the development of GIST.

Effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan on immune function in growing Huoyan geese.

This present experiment was performed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan (CS) on immune function in growing Huoyan geese. A total of 320 28-day-old healthy growing Huoyan geese (sex balance) with similar body weight were randomly allotted into control, CS100, CS200, and CS400 groups. Each group includes 4 replicates with 20 geese per replicate, and the feeding trial lasted for 4 wk. The 4 diets contained 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg CS per kg feed, respectively. The results showed that compared with the control group, the relative weight of thymus, serum concentrations of IGF-I, INS, GH, T3, T4, IgM, IgG, IgA, complement C3, and IL-2 in CS200 group were significantly higher at both 42 and 56 D of age, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, relative weight of bursa of fabricius (BF), spleen, serum complement C4, and TNF-a concentrations in CS200 group were higher at 56 D of age (P < 0.05), no differences were observed at 42 D of age (P > 0.05). These results indicated that addition of 200 mg/kg CS enhanced immune organs weight, serum concentrations of immunoglobulins, complements, hormone, as well as cytokines, and improved immune function of growing Huoyan geese.

Effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan on carcass composition and meat quality in growing Huoyan geese.

This present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan (CS) on carcass composition and meat quality in growing Huoyan geese. A total of 320 (28-day-old) growing Huoyan geese (sex balance) with similar body weight were randomly divided into the following 4 main groups: basal diet (control), basal diet + 100 mg/kg CS (CS100), basal diet + 200 mg/kg CS (CS200), and basal diet + 400 mg/kg CS (CS400) groups. Each group includes 4 replicates with 20 geese per replicate, and the feeding trail lasted for 4 wk. The results showed that the geese in CS200 group had lower abdominal fat percentage, b∗ value, shear force, crude fat content, and drip loss of breast and thigh muscle than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the CS200 group had higher glutamic acid, glycine, lysine, valine, total nonessential amino acids, total essential amino acids, total amino acids, C22:0, C16:1, C18:1, C20:1, C20:2, C20:5, total monounsaturated fatty acids concentration and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratio and lower total SFA, total PUFA concentration, and total n-6:n-3 ratio in breast muscle than the control group (P < 0.05). Taken together, these results indicated that addition of 200 mg/kg CS improved meat quality in growing Huoyan geese through altering slaughter performance, meat traits, amino acids, and fatty acids composition.

Long non-coding RNA PHACTR2-AS1 promotes tongue squamous cell carcinoma metastasis by regulating Snail.

Long non-coding RNA is an endogenous non-coding RNA that has currently been proved to be an important player in cancer cell biology. In the present study, we investigated the biological role of PHACTR2-AS1 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). PHACTR2-AS1 was preferentially localized in the cytoplasm, and was notably upregulated in TSCC tissues. High PHACTR2-AS1 was correlated with tumour differentiation, metastatic clinical features, relapse and shortened survival time. Depletion of PHACTR2-AS1 did not affect TSCC cell viability and colony formation ability, whereas substantially inhibited cell migration and invasion in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, PHACTR2-AS1 could sponge miR-137 to increase Snail expression, resulting in triggering epithelial-mesenchymal transition process, thereby promoting TSCC cell metastasis. Taken together, our data for the first time elucidate the metastasis-promoting role of PHACTR2-AS1 in TSCC, hinting a new therapeutic target for metastatic TSCC patients.