Comparative Analysis of miRNA Expression Profiles in Skeletal Muscle of Bian Chickens at Different Embryonic Ages.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are widely involved in the growth and development of skeletal muscle through the negative regulation of target genes. In order to screen out the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) associated with skeletal muscle development of Bian chickens at different embryonic ages, we used the leg muscles of fast-growing and slow-growing Bian chickens at the 14th and 20th embryonic ages (F14, F20, S14 and S20) for RNA-seq. A total of 836 known miRNAs were identified, and 121 novel miRNAs were predicted. In the F14 vs. F20 comparison group, 127 DEMs were screened, targeting a total of 2871 genes, with 61 miRNAs significantly upregulated and 66 miRNAs significantly downregulated. In the S14 vs. S20 comparison group, 131 DEMs were screened, targeting a total of 3236 genes, with 60 miRNAs significantly upregulated and 71 miRNAs significantly downregulated. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that the predicted target genes were significantly enriched in 706 GO terms and 6 KEGG pathways in the F14 vs. F20 group and 677 GO terms and 5 KEGG pathways in the S14 vs. S20 group. According to the interaction network analysis, we screened five coexpressed DEMs (gga-miR-146a-3p, gga-miR-2954, gga-miR-34a-5p, gga-miR-1625-5p and gga-miR-18b-3p) with the highest connectivity degree with predicted target genes between the two comparison groups, and five hub genes (HSPA5, PKM2, Notch1, Notch2 and RBPJ) related to muscle development were obtained as well. Subsequently, we further identified nine DEMs (gga-let-7g-3p, gga-miR-490-3p, gga-miR-6660-3p, gga-miR-12223-5p, novel-miR-327, gga-miR-18a-5p, gga-miR-18b-5p, gga-miR-34a-5p and gga-miR-1677-3p) with a targeting relationship to the hub genes, suggesting that they may play important roles in the muscle development of Bian chickens. This study reveals the miRNA differences in skeletal muscle development between 14- and 20-day embryos of Bian chickens from fast- and slow-growing groups and provides a miRNA database for further studies on the molecular mechanisms of the skeletal muscle development in Bian chickens.

Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase Is a Candidate Predictive Biomarker for Successful Allergen Immunotherapy.

Background: Allergic rhinitis is a common disorder that affects 10% to 40% of the population worldwide. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) represents the only therapy that has the potential to resolve clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis. However, up to 30% of patients do not respond to AIT. Biomarkers predicting the clinical efficacy of AIT as early as possible would significantly improve the patient selection and reduce unnecessary societal costs. Methods: Artemisia pollen allergic patients who received at least 1-year AIT were enrolled. Clinical responses before and after 1-year AIT were evaluated to determine AIT responders. Artemisia specific IgE and IgG4 levels were measured by using ImmunoCAP and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) separately. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to identify which rhinitis-relevant parameters explained the most variability in AIT results. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomics was applied to identify the potential candidate biomarkers in the sera of responders and non-responders collected before and after 1-year therapy. The diagnostic performance of the potential biomarkers was then assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 30 responders and 15 non-responders. Results: Artemisia specific IgE and IgG4 levels were elevated only in the responders. Regression analysis of allergic rhinitis-relevant parameters provided a robust model that included two most significant variables (sneeze and nasal congestion). Thirteen candidate biomarkers were identified for predicting AIT outcomes. Based on their association with allergy and protein fold change (more than 1.1 or less than 0.9), four proteins were identified to be potential biomarkers for predicting effective AIT. However, further ELISA revealed that only leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) was consistent with the proteomics data. The LTA4H level in responders increased significantly (P < 0.001) after 1-year therapy, while that of non-responders remained unchanged. Assessment of LTA4H generated area under curve (AUC) value of 0.844 (95% confidence interval: 0.727 to 0.962; P < 0.05) in distinguishing responders from the non-responders, suggesting that serum LTA4H might be a potential biomarker for predicting the efficiency of AIT. Conclusion: Serum LTA4H may be a potential biomarker for early prediction of an effective AIT.

[Distribution characteristics of Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin, Xinjiang].

Based on the results of the fourth national survey of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan city, Xinjiang, this study counted the types of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin. The spatial distribution differences of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin of Xinjiang were analyzed by using grid technology, trend surface analysis, global spatial autocorrelation analysis, and local spatial autocorrelation analysis, so as to clarify the overall change trend and aggregation degree of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin in horizontal and vertical directions. The results showed the following: in the horizontal direction, the species richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in the central part of Turpan Basin was high, and there were great differences in the species richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin under different grid sizes. The spatial scale effect of the richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin is obvious. Among them, under the 30 km×30 km scale, the richness of the types of Chinese medicine resources shows a high spatial correlation, and the richness of the types of Chinese medicine resources at 5 km×5 km scale presents a near random distribution state, and the richness of the types of Chinese medicine resources at 80, 90, and 100 km scale sits negatively related. Vertical direction, Chinese medicine resources appear rich at the range of-154-150 m and 900-1 050 m following by range of 1 050-1 200 m.

Indoor Allergen Levels and Household Distributions in Nine Cities Across China.

OBJECTIVE: Chinese allergic subjects have high levels of sensitization to house dust mite (HDM) and other indoor allergens. This study quantifies common indoor allergen levels in Chinese households. METHODS: Dust samples were collected from nine cities. Major allergens Der p 1 and Der f 1 from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae, and specific antigens of Blomia tropicalis, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Acarus siro, and cockroach species Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: HDM allergens were found in dust samples from bedding in 95% of the Chinese households. The median levels varied from <0.006 to 9.2 µg/g of dust, depending on the city. The percentages of households having HDM allergen levels associated with the risk of developing allergy sensitization and asthma were 65% and 25%, respectively. Specific antigens of the storage mite and cockroach were only found in samples from the southern and tropical regions of China. Levels of mite allergens were generally higher in samples from bedding compared to samples from the living room, even for storage mites, whereas levels of cockroach antigens were higher in the living room samples. CONCLUSION: HDM allergens are present in bedding dust samples from most Chinese households. Cities in southern and central China have relatively high levels of HDM major allergens compared to cities in northern and western China. Antigens of storage mites and cockroaches are not as common as HDM allergens.

[Automobile tyre colloidal particle induced allergic damage of respiratory system in traffic policemen and its allergenicity].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the damage of respiratory system in the traffic policemen induced by automobile tyre colloidal particle and its allergenicity. METHODS: The respiratory system symptoms in 445 traffic policemen working outside their offices and 243 controls were investigated and their pulmonary ventilation function index such as FVC, FEV(1.0), MMF and V(50) were determined. The specific IgE antibody of automobile tyre colloidal particle of their serum was determined and the skin-prick test of automobile tyre colloidal particle antigen was performed. Sixty-six traffic policemen working outside their offices and 5 controls with the positive of IgE antibody among them were detected by nasal mucosa provocation test. Sixty-six traffic policemen working outside their offices with the positive of IgE antibody were determined by Terbutaline inhalation test. RESULTS: The positive rate of respiratory system symptoms of traffic policemen such as cough, stethocatharsis, short breath, nasal obstruction, sneeze and nose running was 38.02%, 27.03%, 20.00%, 23.08%, 27.47%, 32.09% and 34.95% respectively and significantly higher than those of the control with significant difference (P < 0.01) or (P < 0.05). The positive rate of specific IgE antibody of automobile tyre colloidal particle, skin- prick test and nasal mucosa provocation test was 14.51%, 23.73% and 54.55% respectively with significant difference (P < 0.01) and (P < 0.05). The percentage, the actual figure compared with the prediction figure, of the index of pulmonary ventilation function (FVC, FEV(1.0) MMF and V(50)) of traffic policemen were significantly lower than those of the control. Terbutaline inhalation test in 66 positive subjects of specific IgE antibody of automobile tyre colloidal particle was positive in 44 subjects, accounting for 9.67% in all policemen investigated. CONCLUSION: The automobile tyre colloidal particle is one of etiological factors that induce pulmonary ventilation function damage and could result in allergic asthma of traffic police.