Comprehensive Analysis of lncRNA and mRNA Expression Profile of Macrophage RAW264.7 Stimulated by Antimicrobial Peptide BSN-37.

BACKGROUND: BSN-37, a novel antimicrobial peptide (AMP) containing 37 amino acid residues isolated from the bovine spleen, has not only antibacterial activity but also immunomodulatory activity. Recent evidence shows that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in regulating the activation and function of immune cells. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the lncRNA and mRNA expression profile of mouse macrophages RAW264.7 stimulated by bovine antimicrobial peptide BSN-37. METHODS: The whole gene expression microarray was used to detect the differentially expressed lncRNA and mRNA between antimicrobial peptide BSN-37 activated RAW264.7 cells and normal RAW264.7 cells. KEGG pathway analysis and GO function annotation analysis of differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNA were carried out. Eight kinds of lncRNAs and nine kinds of mRNA with large differences were selected for qRT-PCR verification, respectively. RESULTS: In the current study, we found that 1294 lncRNAs and 260 mRNAs were differentially expressed between antibacterial peptide BSN-37 treatment and control groups. Among them, Bcl2l12, Rab44, C1s, Cd101 and other genes were associated with immune responses and were all significantly up-regulated. Mest and Prkcz are related to cell growth, and other genes are related to glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism. In addition, some immune-related terms were also found in the GO and KEGG analyses. At the same time, real-time quantitative PCR was used to verify selected lncRNA and mRNA with differential expression. The results of qRT-PCR verification were consistent with the sequencing results, indicating that our data were reliable. CONCLUSION: This study provides the lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles of RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated by antimicrobial peptide BSN-37 and helps to provide a reference value for subsequent studies on lncRNA regulation of antimicrobial peptide BSN-37 immune function.

Effects of Different Roughages on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Ruminal Fermentation, and Microbial Community in Weaned Holstein Calves.

This study aimed to assess the effects of feeding with different forage sources and starter concentrations on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and the microbial community in weaned Holstein calves. A total of 54 Holstein calves (body weight (BW) = 77.50 ± 5.07 kg; age = 70 ± 2.54 days) were assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups (n = 18/group) that were offered diets with different forages: (1) peanut vine (PV), (2) oat hay (OH), or (3) an alfalfa hay + oat hay combination (alfalfa hay:oat hay =1:1, AO). Starter and forage intakes were recorded daily, while BW and growth parameters were assessed at 15-day intervals. The apparent digestibility of nutrients was determined. Ruminal fluid samples were collected and used to detect relevant indicators. A difference was observed for the forage × age interaction for all feed, nutrient intake, BW, ADG, and body structure parameters (P < 0.05). The final BW, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and average daily gain of the PV calves were higher than those of calves from the other groups (P < 0.05). The ruminal propionate concentration evidently increased in calves of the AO group (P < 0.05). The abundances of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Shuttleworthia showed distinct responses to feeding with different forages (P < 0.05) at the genus level. The relative abundance of Shuttleworthia was negatively related to rumen pH and acid detergent fiber digestibility (P < 0.05) and strongly positively related to propionate concentration (P < 0.01). A positive correlation was found between Ruminococcus_1 abundance and butyrate concentration and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (P < 0.05). The relative abundances of Succiniclasticum and Prevotella_7 were negatively related to butyrate concentration (P < 0.05). In conclusion, there was an interaction between the factors (forage × age). The peanut vine used as a forage source promoted a higher starter concentrate intake compared to other diets and increased with the calves' age. The growth performance and rumen bacterial community of the calves were further improved. These results indicate that peanut vine can be used as the main source of forage in the diets of weaned calves.

Study on Analysis and Sedimentation of Alumina Nanoparticles.

Dispersion and aggregation behavior of nanoparticles in aquatic environment may be affected by pH, salinity, and dissolved organic matter, which would change its ecological risk. Effects of time, power and temperature on the alumina nanoparticles (nano-Al2O3) ultrasonic dispersion in water were discussed. Al2O3 had a best ultrasonic dispersion for 30 min at 105 W and 30 °C. The concentration of Al2O3 could be measured by ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer, and the method was efficient and accurate. Furthermore, the sedimentation rate of Al2O3 was related to pH, salinity, and its concentration in the artificial seawater. When pH was 7.31, approaching the isoelectric point of Al2O3, they aggregated and settled fastest. Settlement coefficient (k) of Al2O3 increased by 3 and 2.7 times while the salinity and its concentration increased. The sedimentation rate was higher in natural seawater than that in artificial seawater. All results indicated that nano-Al2O3 would be removed in aquatic environment.

Determination of the Isotopic Composition of Osmium Using MC-ICPMS.

Despite its widespread applications in geology, all osmium isotope ratio measurements are either uncalibrated or rely on the veracity of the uncalibrated 1937 Nier values by adopting them as normalizing constants typically in conjunction with an exponential mass bias correction model. In this study, isotope ratios of osmium were determined in six commercial osmium materials, including the DROsS standard and a new NRC isotopic osmium reference material OSIS-1, by MC-ICPMS. We use a previously optimized and validated regression mass bias correction model to correct instrumental isotope fractionation effects which does not rely either on Nier's values or on a strictly mass-dependent behavior of the isotopes. Deviations from mass-dependent fractionation (mass independent fractionation) were observed for osmium isotopes in MC-ICPMS with the most dramatic effect occurring for 187Os, wherein, on average, close to half-percent bias in the isotope ratio 187Os/188Os was observed as a result of imposing Russell's law.

Fast Determination of Yttrium and Rare Earth Elements in Seawater by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry after Online Flow Injection Pretreatment.

A method for daily monitoring of yttrium and rare earth elements (YREEs) in seawater using a cheap flow injection system online coupled to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry is reported. Toyopearl AF Chelate 650M® resin permits separation and concentration of YREEs using a simple external calibration. A running cycle consumed 6 mL sample and took 5.3 min, providing a throughput of 11 samples per hour. Linear ranges were up to 200 ng kg-1 except Tm (100 ng kg-1). The precision of the method was <6% (RSDs, n = 5), and recoveries ranged from 93% to 106%. Limits of detection (LODs) were in the range 0.002 ng kg-1 (Tm) to 0.078 ng kg-1 (Ce). Good agreement between YREEs concentrations in CASS-4 and SLEW-3 obtained in this work and results from other studies was observed. The proposed method was applied to the determination of YREEs in seawater from the Jiulong River Estuary and the Taiwan Strait.

Determination of the Isotopic Composition of Iridium Using Multicollector-ICPMS.

Like many other elements, iridium is lacking a calibrated, SI traceable isotope ratio measurement. In this study, we have undertaken absolute isotope amount ratio measurements of iridium by multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) using a state-of-the-art regression model to correct for the instrumental fractionation (mass bias) of isotope ratios using both NIST SRM 997 isotopic thallium and NIST SRM 989 isotopic rhenium as primary calibrators. The optimized regression mass bias correction model is based on incrementally increasing plasma power and short (10-30 min) measurement sessions. This experimental design allows fast implementation of the regression method which would normally require hours-long measurement sessions when executed under constant plasma power. Measurements of four commercial iridium materials provide a calibrated iridium isotope ratio R193/191 = 1.6866(6)k=1 which corresponds to isotopic abundance x191 = 0.372 21(8)k=1 and an atomic weight of Ar(Ir) = 192.217 63(17)k=1. In addition, we present data on a new Certified Reference Material from NRC Canada IRIS-1 which fulfills the requirements of a delta zero reference for iridium isotope ratio measurements.

The effect of marine colloids on the growth of photosysthetic bacteria.

Marine colloids could be an important source of nitrogen for bacteria and photoplankton. But elevated concentration of colloids may stimulate algal growth and lead to red tides in coastal waters. The effects of colloidal organic carbon (COC) concentration on the growth of photosysthetic bacteria (PSB) were investigated under different colloidal treatments in the laboratory. The PSB growth was inversely proportional to COC concentration and was restricted by high-molecular-weight (HMW) colloids (>10 KDa) in treatments with non-nutrient or just inorganic nutrient with low COC concentration ( < or = 5 microMC). However, the PBS growth was enhanced in the presence of HMW colloids in the treatment with inorganic nutrient and high COC (127 and 255 microMC) or with both inorganic nutrient and low-molecular-weight organic matter. Both bacteria number and bacteria growth ratio increased significantly when the concentration of COC was > or = 5 microMC. Our results suggest that marine colloids can be utilized by bacteria and might regulate primary productivity in coastal waters.