Comprehensive Analysis of mRNA, lncRNA, circRNA, and miRNA Expression Profiles and Their ceRNA Networks in the Longissimus Dorsi Muscle of Cattle-Yak and Yak.

Cattle-yak, as the hybrid offspring of cattle (Bos taurus) and yak (Bos grunniens), demonstrates obvious heterosis in production performance. Male hybrid sterility has been focused on for a long time; however, the mRNAs and non-coding RNAs related to muscle development as well as their regulatory networks remain unclear. The phenotypic data showed that the production performance (i.e., body weight, withers height, body length, and chest girth) of cattle-yak was significantly better than that of the yak, and the economic benefits of the cattle-yak were higher under the same feeding conditions. Then, we detected the expression profiles of the longissimus dorsi muscle of cattle-yak and yak to systematically reveal the molecular basis using the high-throughput sequencing technology. Here, 7,126 mRNAs, 791 lncRNAs, and 1,057 circRNAs were identified to be differentially expressed between cattle-yaks and yaks in the longissimus dorsi muscle. These mRNAs, lncRNA targeted genes, and circRNA host genes were significantly enriched in myoblast differentiation and some signaling pathways related to muscle development (such as HIF-1 signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway). We constructed a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network and found that some non-coding RNAs differentially expressed may be involved in the regulation of muscle traits. Taken together, this study may be used as a reference tool to provide the molecular basis for studying muscle development.

[Levels and distribution of organochlorine pesticides and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in atmospheric particulates in Xining and Tianjun, Qinghai province, China].

The levels of OCPs and DL-PCBs in the atmospheric particulates of Xining city and Tianjun county in Qinghai province were determined. DDTs and HCHs were the main component of OCPs in the atmospheric particulates. The average levels of DDTs and HCHs in the atmospheric particulates of Xining city were 35 pg x m(-3) and 5.9 pg x m(-3) in summer and 93 pg x m(-3) and 11 pg x m(-3) in winter, respectively. In Tianjun county, they were 83 pg x m(-3) and 6.4 pg x m(-3) in summer and 28 pg x m(-3) and 6.7 pg x m(-3) in winter, respectively. Compared with other Asian areas, the average levels of them in Qinghai province were lower. Meanwhile, the average levels of DL-PCBs in Xining city were 0.52 pg x m(-3) in summer and 0.99 pg x m(-3) in winter, respectively, and in Tianjun county were 0.58 pg x m(-3) in summer and 0.52 pg x m(-3) in winter, respectively. The average levels of OCPs in summer and winter of Xining city were higher than those in Tianjun county, but the average levels of DL-PCBs in two cities were similar. Compared with the polar region, the distribution principles of DL-PCBs in the plateau area were certainly similar, while HCHs and DDTs were different.

[Levels and sources of decabromodiphenyl ether and dechlorane plus in Xining and Tianjun, Qinghai Province, China].

Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and dechlorane plus (DP), two common additive flame retardants, are widely used in electronic products. Since they are widely spread in both abiotic and biotic environmental samples, they have attracted worldwide attention. This study reported the measurement of the levels of BDE-209 and DP in the atmosphere of Xining City and Tianjun County in Qinghai Province. Compared with other areas, the average levels of BDE-209 in Xining City were higher, 370 pg x m(-3) in summer and 470 pg x m(-3) in winter, and that in Tianjun County were 220 pg x m(-3) and 390 pg x m(-3), respectively. Meanwhile, the average level of DP was at a low level both in Xining (0.85 pg x m (-3) and 0.25 pg x m(-3) in summer and winter) and Tianjun (0.24 pgx m(-3) and 0.16 pg x m(-3) in summer and winter), which showed that the level of DP in Xining was higher than that in Tianjun and the level of DP in summer was higher than that in winter. The anti-DP fractional abundances (f(anti)) in Xining City and Tianjun County were 0.66 +/- 0.04 and 0.68 +/- 0.06, respectively. Neither seasonal variation nor spatial variation of f (anti) was found at the sampling sites. A weak inverse correlation was found between the level of BDE-209 and DP in Qinghai,suggesting that the local sources of the two pollutants may be different.