Comparative Analysis on the Duodenal Microbiota Community in Geese Fed with the All-grass or Basal Diet

Geese (Anser cygnoides) possess stronger ability of roughage digestion and utilization than other poultries, hence, it has become the focus of attention of scientists. Duodenal, jejunum and ileum were mainly participated in food digestion and nutrient absorption, while the cecum was responsible for biological fermentation. Effects on the geese's cecal microbiota community by feeding with the all-grass diet have been investigated, however, whether it had an influence on the geese's duodenal microbiota community remains unexplored. To address this problem, geese feeding with the basal diet for 28 days (G1), the basal diet for 28 days and the all-grass diet for the following 14 days (G2), the basal diet for 42 days (G3) were selected, respectively. The duodenal segments of geese were collected and the hypervariable V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequencing. A total of 4 main phyla and 16 main genera were identified. Moreover, we also successfully identified that two taxa including the Helcococcus and Clostridium could be used as distinguishing biomarkers specific to G2. The functional profiles of the duodenum microbiota were mainly involved in the membrane transport (e.g. ABC transporters), amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, and cellular processes and signaling pathways in geese feeding with the all-grass diet. In conclusion, the all-grass diet could impact the composition of duodenal microbiota. However, to resolve the underlying mechanism of the fiber digesting and utilization in geese's gut microbiota, the whole intestinal system needs to be assessed by further studies.(AU)

Immune cell infiltration features and related marker genes in lung cancer based on single-cell RNA-seq.

PURPOSE: Immune cells in the immune microenvironment of lung cancer have a great impact on the development of lung cancer. Our purpose was to analyze the immune cell infiltration features and related marker genes for lung cancer. METHODS: Single cell RNA sequencing data of 11,485 lung cancer cells were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus. After quality control and data normalization, cell clustering was performed using the Seurat package. Based on the marker genes of each cell type from the CellMarker database, each cell was divided into G1, G2M, and S phases. Then, differential expression and functional enrichment analyses were performed. CIBERSORT was used to reconstruct immune cell types. RESULTS: Following cell filtering, highly variable genes were identified for all cells. 14 cell types were clustered. Among them, CD4 + T cell, B cell, plasma cell, natural killer cell and cancer stem cell were the top five cell types. Up-regulated genes were mainly enriched in immune-related biological processes and pathways. Using CIBERSORT, we identified the significantly higher fractions of naïve B cell, memory CD4 + T cell, T follicular helper cell, T regulatory helper cell and M1 macrophage in lung cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. Furthermore, the fractions of resting NK cell, monocyte, M0 macrophage, resting mast cell, eosinophil and neutrophil were significantly lower in tumor tissues than normal tissues. CONCLUSION: Our findings dissected the immune cell infiltration features and related marker genes for lung cancer, which might provide novel insights for the immunotherapy of lung cancer.

Effects of Dietary Energy Concentration on Reproductive Hormone Secretion and Gene Expression in the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonad Axis in Laying Geese

The objective of the study was to investigate the mechanism by which dietary energy concentration regulates laying performance in geese. Eighty 558-day-old female Sichuan White geese were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments, each treatment was fed 1 of 2 experimental diets containing 10.00 (deficient) or 11.80MJ/kg metabolizable energy (sufficient) for 30 days. Laying performance, hormone concentration and gene expressions in hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis were examined in geese. Birds fed the sufficient-energy diet had significantly higher average egg weight, daily laying rate, and lower feed to egg ratio than those fed the deficient-energy (p 0.05). The birds fed sufficient-energy diet had higher concentration of serum insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) than those in deficient-energy diet (p 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of GnRH in the hypothalamus, FSH in the pituitary and E2 in the ovary of birds fed sufficient-energy diet were higher than the corresponding counterpart in deficient-energy diet (p 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, the study implied that dietary energy modifies laying possibly through regulating reproductive hormone secretion and gene expression in hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis in laying geese.(AU)

Effects of Dietary Energy Concentration on Reproductive Hormone Secretion and Gene Expression in the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonad Axis in Laying Geese

The objective of the study was to investigate the mechanism by which dietary energy concentration regulates laying performance in geese. Eighty 558-day-old female Sichuan White geese were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments, each treatment was fed 1 of 2 experimental diets containing 10.00 (deficient) or 11.80MJ/kg metabolizable energy (sufficient) for 30 days. Laying performance, hormone concentration and gene expressions in hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis were examined in geese. Birds fed the sufficient-energy diet had significantly higher average egg weight, daily laying rate, and lower feed to egg ratio than those fed the deficient-energy (p 0.05). The birds fed sufficient-energy diet had higher concentration of serum insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) than those in deficient-energy diet (p 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of GnRH in the hypothalamus, FSH in the pituitary and E2 in the ovary of birds fed sufficient-energy diet were higher than the corresponding counterpart in deficient-energy diet (p 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, the study implied that dietary energy modifies laying possibly through regulating reproductive hormone secretion and gene expression in hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis in laying geese.

Effect of photoperiod on serum hormone concentrations during the annual reproductive cycle in geese.

The poor egg-laying rate of geese hinders the development of the goose industry; therefore, the reproductive performance of geese is an important area of investigation. To evaluate the relationship between photoperiod, reproductive hormones, and reproductive activity during the egg-laying cycle in geese under natural conditions, we collected blood samples from Sichuan white geese and Xupu geese to quantify changes in prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). We also calculated the rate of egg laying for the two populations during the egg-laying cycle. We show that the egg-laying rate and the serum concentration of some hormones (PRL, E2, VIP, FSH, GnIH, and LH) differed significantly between the two populations during the pre-laying, laying, and ceased-laying periods. Serum LH concentrations may be associated with maturation of the ovary and oviducts, whereas FSH, PRL, and GnIH play important roles in egg laying. These results provide a useful resource for future studies examining the laying rate in geese.

Effects of feeding conditions on gene expression in chicken breast muscle.

Chicken meat quality is becoming increasingly important among breeders and consumers. To understand the effect of feeding conditions on chicken meat quality, we investigated the profiles of genes expressed in chicken breast muscle. Using RNA sequencing, we identified 336, 321, and 387 differentially expressed genes among Chengkou, Daninghe, and Qingjiaoma chickens under scatter- and captivity-feeding conditions. Twenty-two genes differentially expressed between different feeding conditions were shown to be common among the three breeds. Seven of these genes were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR, which confirmed the findings of RNA sequencing and suggested that the results were viable. The differentially expressed genes showed enrichment for a series of significant pathways, including energy metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, and the immune system. These results provide a solid foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying chicken meat quality.

Effect of Feeding Conditions on the Methylation Status of Fatp1 Gene in Chicken Breast Muscle

The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of feeding conditions on methylation status of FATP1 gene, which is an important candidate gene of Intramuscular fat and important indicator of chicken meat quality. We selected Daninghe (DNH) and Qingjiaoma (QJM) chickens under scatter-feeding and captivity-feeding conditions as experimental animals, and detected the methylation status of FATP1 genes in chicken breast muscle using Bisulfite Sequencing PCR method. The results showed that the methylation level of FATP1 in scatter-fed chicken was lower than in captivity-fed conditions in DNH and QIM chicken breast tissues; DNA methylation in the promoter and exon1 region was demonstrated to negatively regulate the expression of the FATP1 gene. These results suggested that feeding conditions affect the methylation status and expression level of FATP1, thereby affecting the Intramuscular fat content in DNH and QJM chicken breast muscle.(AU)

Effect of Feeding Conditions on the Methylation Status of Fatp1 Gene in Chicken Breast Muscle

The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of feeding conditions on methylation status of FATP1 gene, which is an important candidate gene of Intramuscular fat and important indicator of chicken meat quality. We selected Daninghe (DNH) and Qingjiaoma (QJM) chickens under scatter-feeding and captivity-feeding conditions as experimental animals, and detected the methylation status of FATP1 genes in chicken breast muscle using Bisulfite Sequencing PCR method. The results showed that the methylation level of FATP1 in scatter-fed chicken was lower than in captivity-fed conditions in DNH and QIM chicken breast tissues; DNA methylation in the promoter and exon1 region was demonstrated to negatively regulate the expression of the FATP1 gene. These results suggested that feeding conditions affect the methylation status and expression level of FATP1, thereby affecting the Intramuscular fat content in DNH and QJM chicken breast muscle.

Human chorionic gonadotropin promotes expression of protein absorption factors in the intestine of goldfish (Carassius auratus).

Protein use is crucial for the ovulation and spawning of fish. Currently, limited information is available regarding the expression of protein absorption factors during the breeding seasons of teleosts and thus how various proteins involved in this process is not well-understood. The expression of CDX2, CREB, gluatamate dehydrogenase, LAT2, aminopeptidase N, PepT1, and SP1 were significantly elevated from the non-breeding season to the breeding season in female goldfish, and all proteins except PepT1 and SP1 were elevated in male goldfish. Injection of human chorionic gonadotropin upregulated the expression of all proteins except for aminopeptidase N in female goldfish and SP1 in male goldfish, suggesting a luteinizing hormone-inductive effect on protein absorption factors. Protein use in the intestine is increased during the breeding seasons as a result of increased luteinizing hormone.

Androgen receptor (CAG)n polymorphisms and breast cancer risk in a Han Chinese population.

The androgen receptor (AR) is involved in the differentiation and growth of breast cancer. Genetic markers in the AR gene have a plausible role in modulating the risk of breast cancer. In this study, we studied the association of breast cancer and the trinucleotide repeat polymorphism (CAG)n in exon 1 of the AR gene in 202 patients with breast cancer and 183 healthy controls from our hospital (Yinchuan, China). Repeat lengths were determined by fluorescent DNA fragment analysis using the ABI GeneScan software and DNA sequencing. We detected 17 short tandem repeat alleles in exon 1 in the Han population of Ningxia Province, China. The CAG repeat number ranged from 14 to 31 and the frequency ranged from 0.339 to 24.460%. Generally, (CAG)n repeat lengths <22 were classified as short (S), and those >22 were classified as long (L). No association was found between breast cancer and the S/L (CAG) variants. However, the frequency of the (CAG)25 repeats in the breast cancer group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P = 0.033, odds ratio = 1.790, 95% confidence interval = 1.044-3.069). These findings indicate a role for AR gene (CAG)n variations in breast cancer and might be informative for future genetic or biological studies on breast cancer, although these findings need replication in other populations.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in dopamine receptor D1 are associated with heroin dependence but not impulsive behavior.

Previous studies suggested that dopamine receptors may be associated with drug dependence and impulsive behavior. In this study, we examined whether dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) is associated with heroin dependence and the impulsive behavior in patients with heroin dependence. The participants included 367 patients with heroin dependence and 372 healthy controls from a Chinese Han population. We examined the potential association between heroin dependence and 8 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs686, rs4867798, rs1799914, rs4532, rs5326, rs265981, rs10078714, rs10078866) of DRD1, and the associations between single single-nucleotide polymorphism, haplotypes, and impulsive behavior. Compared with the healthy controls, heroin dependence patients showed a significantly lower frequency of GG homozygotes of rs5326 (P = 0.027), significantly lower frequency of the G allele of rs5326 (P = 0.007, odds ratio = 0.718, 95% confidence interval = 0.565-0.913), and higher frequency of the rs265981 G allele (P = 0.0002, odds ratio = 1.711, 95% confidence interval = 1.281-2.287). Furthermore, strong linkage disequilibrium was observed in 2 blocks (D' > 0.9). However, no association was observed between haplotypes and heroin dependence in the 2 blocks. This genetic behavior correlation study showed that the 2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, rs5326 and rs265981, were not associated with the impulsive behavior in patients with heroin dependence. These findings indicate that DRD1 gene polymorphisms are related to heroin dependence in a Chinese Han population and may be informative for future genetic or biological studies on heroin dependence.

Case Report: Local skin flap with vacuum-seal drainage to facilitate healing of ACS.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the therapy of a severe abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) to elucidate the use of an abdominal advanced flap with other supportive measures for restoration of large defects of the abdominal wall. A patient presented with a large defect of the abdominal wall caused by ACS, which had resulted from multiple injuries after a fall from height. Healing of the defect was achieved by transplantation of an abdominal advanced flap and other supportive strategies. All of the treatment measures are presented to demonstrate complicated treatment procedures for closure of large defects of the abdominal wall. An abdominal advanced flap combined with other supportive measures was successfully applied in the healing process of ACS. This study examined the treatment of a case of ACS caused by severe abdominal trauma. The results demonstrated that a large defect of the abdominal wall caused by ACS should be closed as early as possible, and an abdominal advanced flap combined with complex supportive measures can be a recommended strategy for closing large defects of the abdominal wall.

Functional polymorphisms of the glutamate receptor N-methyl D-aspartate 2A gene are associated with heroin addiction.

Heroin dependence is a debilitating psychiatric disorder with a complex inheritance mechanism. Genetic polymorphisms in functional regions of the glutamate receptor, N-methyl D-aspartate 2A (GRIN2A) gene, which encodes the 2A subunit of the N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, may modulate the risk of heroin addiction. We investigated the potential association between 8 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GRIN2A gene (SNPs rs3219790, rs1014531, rs8044472, rs8045712, rs9933624, rs9940680, rs1420040, and rs767749) and heroin addiction using the MassARRAY system and GeneScan. A total of 405 heroin-addicted patients and 397 healthy control subjects were recruited for this study. Statistically significant differences were observed for rs3219790 in the promoter region of the GRIN2A gene. The frequency of the (GT)26 repeats in the heroin addiction group was significantly higher than that in the control group [X(2) = 5.475, P = 0.019, odds ratio (OR) = 1.367, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.051-1.776]. Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed in block 1 (D' > 0.9). However, significant evidence of linkage disequilibrium was not observed between the 7 SNPs in our sample population. These data suggest that GRIN2A gene polymorphisms confer susceptibility to heroin addiction and support the hypothesis that dysfunction of GRIN2A is involved in the pathophysiological process of heroin addiction.

Roles of functional NFKB1 and ß-TrCP insertion/deletion polymorphisms in mRNA expression and epithelial ovarian cancer susceptibility.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of death among all gynecological cancers. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is involved in carcinogenesis and in the development of EOC. The ß-transducin repeat-containing protein (ß-TrCP) is a positive regulator of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Recent studies have indicated that the -94 ins/del ATTG polymorphism in the promoter region of the NFKB1 gene, and the 9N ins/del polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region of the ß-TrCP gene are associated with increased susceptibility to a variety of cancers. We examined a potential association between these two polymorphisms and EOC. Genotypes were determined for 187 patients with EOC and 221 healthy control subjects, using the MassARRAY system. We found a significant association between the -94 ins/del ATTG genotype distribution and EOC. The frequency of the -94 del ATTG allele was significantly lower in EOC patients compared to healthy controls. The NF-κB mRNA level in cancer tissue was significantly correlated with -94 ins/del ATTG genotypes. Compared to the ATTG1/ATTG1 phenotype, the NF-κB mRNA level was 2.089 and 1.257 times higher in the ATTG2 (insertion)/ATTG2 homozygote and the ATTG1 (deletion)/ATTG2 heterozygote, respectively. However, we found no evidence of association between the 9N ins/del polymorphism of the ß-TrCP gene and EOC in this Chinese population. Based on these results, we suggest that the NF-κB -94 ins/del ATTG polymorphism is a risk factor for EOC susceptibility.