Transcriptomic and metabolomic dissection of skeletal muscle of crossbred Chongming white goats with different meat production performance.

BACKGROUND: The transcriptome and metabolome dissection of the skeletal muscle of high- and low- growing individuals from a crossbred population of the indigenous Chongming white goat and the Boer goat were performed to discover the potential functional differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differential expression metabolites (DEMs). RESULTS: A total of 2812 DEGs were detected in 6 groups at three time stages (3,6,12 Month) in skeletal muscle using the RNA-seq method. A DEGs set containing seven muscle function related genes (TNNT1, TNNC1, TNNI1, MYBPC2, MYL2, MHY7, and CSRP3) was discovered, and their expression tended to increase as goat muscle development progressed. Seven DEGs (TNNT1, FABP3, TPM3, DES, PPP1R27, RCAN1, LMOD2) in the skeletal muscle of goats in the fast-growing and slow-growing groups was verified their expression difference by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Further, through the Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) approach, a total of 183 DEMs in various groups of the muscle samples and these DEMs such as Queuine and Keto-PGF1α, which demonstrated different abundance between the goat fast-growing group and slow-growing group. Through weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), the study correlated the DEGs with the DEMs and identified 4 DEGs modules associated with 18 metabolites. CONCLUSION: This study benefits to dissection candidate genes and regulatory networks related to goat meat production performance, and the joint analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic data provided insights into the study of goat muscle development.

Characterization and Comparative Analysis of Whole-Transcriptome Sequencing in High- and Low-Fecundity Chongming White Goat Ovaries during the Estrus Phase.

Reproductive performance is one of the most important economic traits in the goat industry. Increasing the number of goats is an effective measure to improve production efficiency and reduce production costs. Ovaries are important reproductive organs in female mammals that directly affect the estrous cycle and reproductive abilities. Understanding the complex transcription network of non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs, circRNAs, and miRNAs) and messenger RNA (mRNA) could lead to significant insights into the ovarian regulation of the reproductive processes of animals. However, the whole-transcriptome analysis of the non-coding RNAs and mRNA of the ovaries in Chongming white goats between high-fecundity (HP) and low-fecundity (LP) groups is limited. In this study, a whole-transcriptome sequencing approach was used to identify lncRNA, circRNA, miRNA, and mRNA expression in the ovaries of Chongming white goats during the estrus phase using RNA-Seq technology. More than 20,000 messenger RNAs (mRNAs), 10,000 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), 3500 circular RNAs (circRNAs), and 1000 micro RNAs (miRNAs) were identified. A total of 1024 differential transcripts (724 mRNAs, 112 lncRNAs, 178 circRNAs, and 10 miRNAs) existing between the HP and the LP groups were revealed through a bioinformatics analysis. They were enriched in the prolactin signaling pathway, the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, and the GnRH signaling pathway, as well as various metabolic pathways. Differentially expressed mRNAs (such as LYPD6, VEGFA, NOS3, TNXB, and EPHA2) and miRNAs (such as miR-10a-5p) play key roles in the regulation of goat ovaries during the estrus phase. The enrichment of pathways related to reproduction, such as the Hippo, Hedgehog, PI3K-AKT, and MAPK signaling pathways, suggests that they might be involved in the prolificacy of goat ovaries. Overall, we identified several gene modules associated with goat fecundity and provided a basis for a molecular mechanism in the ovaries of Chongming white goats.

Efficacy of press needle treatment in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, and retching gastrointestinal cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and retching often pose challenges in managing patients with gastrointestinal cancer. This randomized controlled trial sought to evaluate the effectiveness of press needle therapy in mitigating CINV and retching following chemotherapy. Methods: Two hundred patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing folinic acid, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) chemotherapy were randomly assigned to either the press needle group or the control group. The control group received 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 (5-HT3) antagonists and dexamethasone 30 min before chemotherapy, followed by dexamethasone on days 2 and 3 after chemotherapy. In contrast, the press needle group received press needle treatment 30 min prior to chemotherapy. The primary outcome was the Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR), assessed at seven time points: before chemotherapy and at 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h post-chemotherapy. Results: All patients completed their respective treatments, and no significant adverse effects related to press needle treatment (such as skin allergies, acupoint infections, headaches, or dizziness) were reported. A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences in INVR scores between the two groups (P < 0.05). Further analysis with a t-test indicated that INVR scores in the press needle treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group at 12, 24, and 36 hours after chemotherapy (P < 0.05), with no significant difference observed thereafter. Conclusions: Press needle treatment effectively alleviated nausea, vomiting, and retching in patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing chemotherapy. It represents a safe, efficient, and convenient complement to preventive treatment with 5-HT3 antagonists. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR1900024554).

Mechanism and regulation of mitophagy in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): A mini-review.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been hypothesized to play a central role in the pathobiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Thus, maintenance of mitochondria homeostasis and function is important for NAFLD treatment. Mitophagy, a process that selectively clears damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria through autophagic machinery, is beneficial for mitochondrial homeostasis. Notably, strategies that regulate mitophagy exert beneficial effects in preclinical experiments. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a natural product including active ingredients, extracts, and has great potential in the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. Given the importance of mitophagy, this review summarizes mitophagy-related pathways and the latest findings on the regulation of mitophagy in NAFLD. We also highlight the potential of TCM targeting mitophagy for the treatment of NAFLD.

Lactobacillus salivarius SNK-6 Regulates Liver Lipid Metabolism Partly via the miR-130a-5p/MBOAT2 Pathway in a NAFLD Model of Laying Hens.

Lactobacillus spp., as probiotics, have shown efficacy in alleviating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here, we screened a new probiotic strain, Lactobacillus salivarius SNK-6 (L. salivarius SNK-6), which was isolated from the ileum of healthy Xinyang black-feather laying hens in China. We investigated the beneficial activity of L. salivarius SNK-6 in a NAFLD model in laying hens and found that L. salivarius SNK-6 inhibited liver fat deposition and decreased serum triglyceride levels and activity of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase. MBOAT2 (membrane-bound O-acyltransferase domain containing 2) was directly targeted by miR-130a-5p, which was downregulated in the liver of NAFLD laying hens but reversed after L. salivarius SNK-6 treatment. Downregulation of MBOAT2, L. salivarius SNK-6 supplementation in vivo, and L. salivarius SNK-6 cell culture treatment in vitro suppressed the mRNA expression of genes involved in the PPAR/SREBP pathway. In addition, 250 metabolites were identified in the supernatants of L. salivarius SNK-6 culture media, and most of them participated in metabolic pathways, including amino acid, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism. Targeted metabolomic analysis revealed that acetate, butyrate, and propionate were the most abundant short-chain fatty acids, while cholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, and tauroursodeoxycholic acid were the four most-enriched bile acids among L. salivarius SNK-6 metabolites. This may have contributed to the reparative effect of L. salivarius SNK-6 in the NAFLD chicken model. Our study suggested that L. salivarius SNK-6 alleviated liver damage partly via the miR-130a-5p/MBOAT2 signaling pathway.

chi-miR-99b-3p Regulates the Proliferation of Goat Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells In Vitro by Targeting Caspase-3 and NCOR1.

We previously found that chi-miR-99b-3p was highly expressed in the skeletal muscle of 7-month-old (rapid growth period) goats and speculated that it may be associated with muscle development. To further investigate the role of chi-miR-99b-3p in goats, we found that chi-miR-99b-3p acted as a myogenic miRNA in the regulation of skeletal muscle development. Dual-luciferase reporter assays, qRT-PCR, and Western blot results confirmed that Caspase-3 and nuclear receptor corepressor 1 were direct targets for chi-miR-99b-3p as their expression was inhibited by this miR. Cell proliferation and qRT-PCR assays showed that chi-miR-99b-3p promoted proliferation through relevant targets and intrinsic apoptosis-related genes in goat skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs), whereas inhibition of chi-miR-99b-3p had the opposite effect. Furthermore, integrative transcriptomic analysis revealed that overexpression of chi-miR-99b-3p induced various differentially expressed (DE) genes mainly associated with the cell cycle, relaxin signaling pathway, DNA replication, and protein digestion and absorption. Notably, most of the cell-cycle-related genes were downregulated in SMSCs after miR-99b-3p upregulation, including the pro-apoptosis-related gene BCL2. In addition, 47 DE miRNAs (16 upregulated and 31 downregulated) were determined by Small RNA-sequencing in SMSCs after chi-miR-99b-3p overexpression. Based on the KEGG enrichment analysis, we found that these DE miRNAs were involved in the biological pathways associated with the DE genes. Our study demonstrated that chi-miR-99b-3p was an effective facilitator of goat SMSCs and provided new insights into the mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate skeletal muscle growth in goats.

The miR-216/miR-217 Cluster Regulates Lipid Metabolism in Laying Hens With Fatty Liver Syndrome via PPAR/SREBP Signaling Pathway.

Fatty liver syndrome (FLS), a common metabolic disease in laying hens, caused by excessive hepatic fat deposition is a bottleneck in the poultry industry. However, no specific therapeutic methods have been developed. Evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) are essential for liver lipid metabolism and homeostasis, providing strong evidence for targeting miRNAs as a potential treatment option for liver diseases. However, the roles of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of FLS remain unclear. In present study, RNA-sequencing was performed to discern the expression patterns of miRNAs in normal and fatty livers of laying hens. In total, 12 dysregulated miRNAs (2 down-regulated and 10 up-regulated) were detected between the normal and fatty livers. Functional enrichment analysis showed the potential impacts of the dysregulated miRNAs on lipid metabolism. Notably, miR-216a/b and miR-217-5p, which belong to the miR-216/miR-217 cluster, were up-regulated in the sera and livers of FLS chickens, as well as free fatty acid (FFA)-induced LMH cells. Oil-red O staining revealed that up-regulation of the miR-216/miR-217 cluster induced lipid accumulation in FFA-induced LMH cells. Furthermore, the dual luciferase gene reporter assay and RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase 2, F-box protein 8, and transmembrane 9 superfamily member 3 (TM9SF3) were directly targeted by miR-216a/b and miR-217-5p, respectively, and suppressed in the fatty livers of laying hens. Moreover, overexpression of the miR-216/miR-217 cluster or reduction in TM9SF3 levels led to activation of the proliferator-activated receptor/sterol regulatory-element binding protein (PPAR/SREBP) pathway. Overall, these results demonstrate that the miR-216/miR-217 cluster regulates lipid metabolism in laying hens with FLS, which should prove helpful in the development of new interventional strategies.

Risk factor analysis and nomogram construction for predicting suicidal ideation in patients with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Suicidal ideation in cancer patients is a critical challenge. At present, few studies focus on factors associated with suicidal ideation, and predictive models are still lacking. This study aimed at investigating the risk factors for suicidal ideation among cancer patients, and developed a predictive nomogram to screen high risk cancer patients for early prevention and intervention. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted among cancer patients between May 2021 and January 2022. The factors associated with suicidal ideation were used to construct a multivariate logistic regression model, which was visualized as a predictive nomogram to evaluate the risk of suicidal ideation. Areas under the curve, calibration plot, decision curve analysis, and internal and external validation were used to validate the discrimination, calibration and clinical usefulness of the model. RESULTS: A total of 820 patients with cancer were recruited for this study and 213 (25.98%) developed suicidal ideation. Levels of demoralization, depression and cancer staging, marital status, residence, medical financial burden, and living condition were influence factors for suicidal ideation. Comparing nomogram with Self-rating Idea of Suicide Scale (SIOSS), the nomogram had a satisfactory discrimination ability with an AUC of 0.859 (95% CI: 0.827-0.890) and 0.818 (95% CI: 0.764-0.873) in the training and validation sets, respectively. The calibration plot and decision curve analysis revealed that this nomogram was in good fitness and could be beneficial in clinical applications. CONCLUSIONS: Suicidal ideation is common in cancer patients. Levels of demoralization, depression and cancer staging were independent predictors of suicidal ideation. The nomogram is an effective and simple tool for predictive suicidal ideation in cancer patients.

The influence of food processing methods on serum parameters, apparent total-tract macronutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota and SCFA content in adult beagles.

Food processing methods may influence the health of dogs. However, previous studies have mostly been based on a comparison of several commercial dog foods with different ingredients. In this study, eighteen adult beagles of the same age and health status (assessed by routine blood tests) were used in the experiments. This study analyzed the effects of the following different processing methods: raw, pasteurized, and high temperature sterilization (HTS) made with the same ingredients and nutrients (based on dry matter) on serum parameters, apparent total-tract macronutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content in beagle dogs. The data showed, after a test lasting 56-days, the apparent digestibility (ATTD) of protein and fat in HTS food was 91.9%, which was significantly higher (P< 0.05) than that in dry food (89.2%, P < 0.05). The serum content of triglyceride increased in beagles fed HTS food (P < 0.05), and the number of neutrophils in beagles fed raw food and pasteurized food increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the platelet count in beagles fed raw food showed an increasing trend compared with the beagles fed HTS food. Different processing methods had an impact on the intestinal microbiota and SCFA of beagles; at least 14 genera were significantly affected by the food produced using different processing methods. In particular, the abundance of Allprevotella, Escherichia-Shigella and Turicibacter, and the total acid content were lower in beagles fed the raw diet, whereas Streptococcus, Collinsella, Bacteroides and Ruminococcus gnavus were more abundant following the HTS diet, and Lactococcus showed the highest abundance in beagles fed the pasteurized diet. This study showed that dog food produced by different processing methods affected the health of adult beagles.

A review of the genus Bifidocoelotes Wang, 2002, with the description of three new species from China (Araneae, Agelenidae).

Three new species of the agelenid spider genus Bifidocoelotes Wang, 2002 are described from the mainland of China: Bifidocoelotes elongatus sp. nov. (♀; Guangxi, south China), B. mammiformis sp. nov. (♀, ♂; Guangdong, south China) and B. quadratus sp. nov. (♀; Guangxi, south China). The generic diagnosis is revised, and with the discovery of the three new species, the number of species in Bifidocoelotes doubles to six. Descriptions and illustrations of the three new species, a key to all the six species, and a distribution map for the genus are provided.

Description of three new species of the genus Cicurina Menge, 1871 from Guangdong, China (Araneae, Hahniidae).

Three new species of Cicurina Menge, 1871 are described based on specimens collected from Guangdong, China: C. bifurca Liao & Xu, spec. nov. (male), C. spiralis Liao & Xu, spec. nov. (male) and C. tetragongylodes Liao & Xu, spec. nov. (female). Detailed descriptions, photographs, drawings, and a distribution map of the three new species are provided, as well as a phylogenetic tree including the new species.

Ages of weaning influence the gut microbiota diversity and function in Chongming white goats.

To study the effect of weaning age on the gut microbiota diversity in the lambs of Chongming white goats, fresh feces from the lambs weaned at 30, 45, and 60 days of age were collected 3 days after weaning at 33, 48, and 63 days of age, for microbial composition analysis by 16S rRNA sequencing. The serum concentrations of lipid metabolites were also investigated at the fecal collection dates. Serum and feces from the ewe-reared groups at 33, 48, and 63 days of age were used as controls. The alpha diversity increased significantly after weaning and with the aging of the lambs. Levels of Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminococcus varied significantly according to the weaning treatment in lambs (P < 0.05). Butyrate-producing gut bacteria such as Ruminococcaceae_UCG-010, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002, Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, and Lachnospiraceae_NK4B4 were identified as significantly increased genera (P < 0.05) in the feces of weaned Chongming white lambs. Additionally, the abundance of fiber degradation-associated bacteria including Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Ruminococcus_1, and Ruminococcus_2 significantly increased with lamb weaning age (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, norank_f__Bacteroidales_S24-7_group, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG_005 were negatively correlated, and Lachnoclostridium was positively correlated with levels of cholesterol, while Blautia showed positive correlation with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum samples from weaned lambs. This study helped to understand the maturing development of gut microbiota in Chongming white goats under weaning stress. KEY POINTS: • Effects of weaning age on the gut microbiota diversity in Chongming white goat lambs were studied. • Some butyrate-producing gut bacteria were significantly increased after weaned. • Correlations of gut microbiota and lipid metabolites were analyzed.

[Psychological status and sleep quality of nursing interns during the outbreak of COVID-19].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the psychological status and sleep quality of nursing interns in collective isolation during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and provide evidence for adequate interventions. METHODS: We surveyed a total of 95 nursing interns who were isolated collectively in a general teaching hospital in Guangzhou using a self-designed questionnaire, which consisted of a basic information form, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Descriptive analysis, single factor analysis and correlation analysis were used to analyze the current status of the interns' psychology and sleep quality, the potential factors affecting their psychology and sleep quality, and the correlation between their psychological status and sleep quality. RESULTS: The surveyed interns had SAS, SDS and PSQI score of 37.79±6.59, 43.98±9.74 and 5.20±3.14, respectively, which were significant higher than the national norms in China (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that both anxiety and depression were positively correlated with the sleep quality score (r=0.508 and 0.546, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that the major factors affecting the psychological status and sleep quality of the interns during collective isolation included recent contact with persons from the affected area before isolation and the onset of fever during the isolation. CONCLUSIONS: These interns showed relatively high levels of anxiety and depression during the collective isolation to affect their sleep quality, and interventions should be timely administered to improve their mental health and sleep quality.

Pyrodextrin enhances intestinal function through changing the intestinal microbiota composition and metabolism in early weaned piglets.

Pyrodextrin (PD) is prepared from starch by heat treatment and is resistant to amylase. We hypothesized that PD might have prebiotic potential affecting the microbiota composition, because it contains a non-digestible portion that may behave as dietary fiber. This study investigated the effects of PD supplementation on growth performance, gut morphology, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and the bacterial community in weaned piglets receiving dietary supplementation of 0.5% PD. The piglets in the PD (treated) groups showed greater antioxidant capacity and feed efficiency (P < 0.05), as well as improved intestinal morphology in comparison with the piglets in the weaned (control) group. Gut microbiota profiles were assessed through 16S rRNA sequencing on the ileum contents and feces of early weaned piglets. Several genus-level enrichments and depletions were observed in response to PD treatment. Of note, PD supplementation decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic organisms, including Defluviicoccus and Gardnerella, while markedly increasing that of commensal bacteria (genera Psychrobacter and Prevotella), which have important roles in nutrient absorption and immune response regulation. The most notable effect in the PD treatment groups was increased production of SCFAs in the feces of PD-treated weaned piglets. Correlation analysis revealed that the improvement in SCFAs was positively correlated with the increase in SCFA-producing bacteria. Overall, this study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of PD supplementation on the fecal microbial community and the modulation of SCFA production in early weaned piglets, thus indicating that PD can be used to alleviate weaning stress in piglets.

Altered expression of miRNAs and mRNAs reveals the potential regulatory role of miRNAs in the developmental process of early weaned goats.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play pivotal roles in growth, development, and stress responses. However, the regulatory function of miRNAs in early weaned goats remains unclear. Deep sequencing comparison of mRNA and miRNA expression profiles showed that 18 miRNAs and 373 genes were differentially expressed in pre- and post-weaning Chongming white goats. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that these differentially expressed genes are involved in cellular processes, developmental processes, and growth in terms of biological process analysis. KEGG analysis showed that downregulated genes were enriched in salivary secretion, bile secretion, vascular smooth muscle contraction, and calcium signaling pathways. Additionally, a miRNA-mRNA co-expression network of the 18 dysregulated miRNAs and their 107 target mRNAs was constructed using a combination of Pearson's correlation analysis and prediction by miRanda software. Among the downregulated miRNAs, two (chi-miR-206 and chi-miR-133a/b) were muscle development-related and the others were cell proliferation associated. Further RT-qPCR analysis confirmed that downregulated miRNAs (chi-miR-99b-3p, chi-miR-224, and chi-miR-10b-5p) were highly expressed in muscle tissues (heart, spleen, or kidney) of the rapid growth period (7-month old) in Chongming white goats. The results of the present study suggested that weaning induced cell proliferation repression in post-weaning goats, providing new insight into the mechanism of muscle development of goats, although additional details remain to be elucidated in the future.

Hydrogen Gas in Cancer Treatment.

Gas signaling molecules (GSMs), composed of oxygen, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, etc., play critical roles in regulating signal transduction and cellular homeostasis. Interestingly, through various administrations, these molecules also exhibit potential in cancer treatment. Recently, hydrogen gas (formula: H2) emerges as another GSM which possesses multiple bioactivities, including anti-inflammation, anti-reactive oxygen species, and anti-cancer. Growing evidence has shown that hydrogen gas can either alleviate the side effects caused by conventional chemotherapeutics, or suppress the growth of cancer cells and xenograft tumor, suggesting its broad potent application in clinical therapy. In the current review, we summarize these studies and discuss the underlying mechanisms. The application of hydrogen gas in cancer treatment is still in its nascent stage, further mechanistic study and the development of portable instruments are warranted.

Integrating miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in plasma of laying hens associated with heat stress.

High temperature is one of the most common environmental stressors plaguing animal husbandry worldwide. Little is known about the regulatory roles of miRNAs in response to heat stress in laying hens. To systematically identify heat stress-responsive miRNAs and their targets in laying hens, the differential expression of miRNAs and mRNAs was compared under heat stress and normal temperature. We identified 16 miRNAs and 502 genes that were significantly changed in heat-stressed laying hens. By comparing the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the putative targets of the altered miRNAs based on bioinformatics prediction, 82 coordinated genes were identified. Gene ontology classification analyses of the 82 putative target genes showed that the biological category 'cellular response to stress' was prominently annotated. Notably, the response-related gene autophagy-related protein 9A was most likely controlled by the upregulated miRNAs gga-miR-92-5p, gga-miR-1618-5p, gga-miR-1737, and gga-miR-6557 in response to heat stress. Analysis of DEGs also revealed an increase in lipid metabolism in heat-stressed laying hens. Some of these genes were negatively correlated with the altered miRNAs, suggesting that they are potential targets of the miRNAs. Taken together, our results advance our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of heat-stress-induced injury in laying hens, specifically with regard to miRNAs.

Heat stress mediates changes in fecal microbiome and functional pathways of laying hens.

Chicken gastrointestinal microbiota plays important roles in health, productivity, and disease. However, knowledge of the relationship between heat stress and the gut microbial ecosystem of poultry, especially laying hens, is still limited. Here, we aimed to provide important knowledge for heat stress intervention in the egg industry. We performed high-throughput sequencing metagenomics on fecal contents to unravel the microbial taxa and functional capacity of the gut microbiome of caged laying hens under heat stress. Results showed that the fecal microbial communities of laying hens were dominated by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria phyla. The Firmicutes were significantly decreased, and Bacteroidetes were increased in the fecal microbiota under heat stress. Functional prediction of these changes in microbiota revealed that metabolism-related pathways, including cysteine and methionine metabolism and benzoate degradation, were more abundant. Conversely, retinol metabolism and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were decreased by heat stress, suggesting differences in metabolism between layers in different temperature environments. Clear contributions were identified between active taxa (genus level) and metabolic pathways, which were associated with the liver and intestinal dysfunction in layers. These data revealed that heat stress induced a significant taxonomic perturbation in the gut microbiome of caged laying hens. This was related to the negative effects of heat stress in poultry and provided important basic knowledge for heat stress intervention.

Molecular pathways involved in microRNA-mediated regulation of multidrug resistance.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is still a major reason for therapeutic failure in cancers. The mechanisms underlying MDR are multifactorial and are not fully understood. miRNAs are evolutionarily conserved non-coding RNAs that function as key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Emerging evidence indicates a vital role of miRNAs in the resistance to cancer treatments and suggests their potential for cancer therapy, as they can modulate multiple mechanisms link to the development of MDR. This review summarizes the recent findings on the role of miRNAs in MDR, and highlights the molecular targets and mechanisms of miRNA regulated pathways in MDR. Finally, the challenges and prospects of miRNA-targeted therapies for reversing drug resistance are reviewed.

Identifying Genetic Differences Between Dongxiang Blue-Shelled and White Leghorn Chickens Using Sequencing Data.

The Dongxiang Blue-shelled chicken is one of the most valuable Chinese indigenous poultry breeds. However, compared to the Italian native White Leghorn, although this Chinese breed possesses numerous favorable characteristics, it also exhibits lower growth performance and fertility. Here, we utilized genotyping sequencing data obtained via genome reduction on a sequencing platform to detect 100,114 single nucleotide polymorphisms and perform further biological analysis and functional annotation. We employed cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity, eigenvector decomposition combined with genome-wide association studies (EigenGWAS), and efficient mixed-model association expedited methods to detect areas of the genome that are potential selected regions (PSR) in both chicken breeds, and performed gene ontology (GO) enrichment and quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses annotating using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. The results of this study revealed a total of 2424 outlier loci (p-value <0.01), of which 2144 occur in the White Leghorn breed and 280 occur in the Dongxiang Blue-shelled chicken. These correspond to 327 and 94 PSRs containing 297 and 54 genes, respectively. The most significantly selected genes in Blue-shelled chicken are TMEM141 and CLIC3, while the SLCO1B3 gene, related to eggshell color, was identified via EigenGWAS. We show that the White Leghorn genes JARID2, RBMS3, GPC3, TRIB2, ROBO1, SAMSN1, OSBP2, and IGFALS are involved in immunity, reproduction, and growth, and thus might represent footprints of the selection process. In contrast, we identified six significantly enriched pathways in the Dongxiang Blue-shelled chicken that are related to amino acid and lipid metabolism as well as signal transduction. Our results also reveal the presence of a GO term associated with cell metabolism that occurs mainly in the White Leghorn breed, while the most significant QTL regions mapped to the Chicken QTL Database (GG_4.0) for the Dongxiang Blue-shelled breed are predominantly related to lesions, bone mineral content, and other related traits compared to tibia length and body weight (i.e., at 14, 28, 42, and 70 d) in the White Leghorn. The results of this study highlight differences in growth, immunity, and egg quality traits between the two breeds, and provide a foundation for the exploration of their genetic mechanisms.