Genomic selection for meat quality traits in Pekin duck.

Genomic selection uses genome-wide molecular marker data to predict an animal's genetic value in the breeding program. This study's objective was to present heritability estimates and accuracy of genomic prediction using different methods for meat quality traits in Pekin duck. There were two kinds of ducks in the genomic selection training population: 639 fat-type ducks and 540 lean-type ducks. A single-trait animal model was used to estimate heritability and adjust the phenotype. GBLUP and BayesR methods were performed to estimate the SNP effects. The accuracy of genomic prediction was calculated using 5-fold cross-validation. The accuracy varied from 0.235 to 0.501 with the lowest accuracy estimated for traits associated with abdominal fat weight in the combined population and the most remarkable accuracy observed for abdominal fat percentage traits in the lean-type duck population. Overall, BayesR can achieve the highest prediction accuracy, while the combined population strategy could be used to increase the accuracy of prediction only when the two populations have the same breeding aim for a certain trait.

Genome-wide association study reveals novel loci associated with fat-deposition and meat-quality traits in Pekin ducks.

Meat-quality traits play an essential role in meat poultry production. To determine the genetic mechanisms of meat quality in Pekin ducks, we performed a large-scale GWAS to identify quantitative trait loci affecting meat quality in Pekin ducks. We measured 10 traits in 542 Pekin ducks and genotyped each duck using genotyping-by-sequencing. The genetic parameters (genomic heritability, genetic correlation) for 10 meat-quality related traits were evaluated. Based on the large genotype-phenotype dataset, we performed GWASs for all of these traits. A total of 33 significant QTL (P < 3.03 × 10-5 ) across 13 chromosomes were identified by loci-based analysis. Some newly identified candidate genes were discovered for fat-deposition and meat-quality traits, including PAG1 for body weight and eviscerated weight, INTU and NUP35 for abdominal fat weight and ratio, NUP3 and ARHGDIB for skin fat weight and ratio, GOLGA5 for breast muscle toughness and breast tenderness, and CTDSPL and PKP1 for breast muscle thickness. The current study is the first systematic report regarding duck meat quality.

The ratio of miR-21/miR-24 as a promising diagnostic and poor prognosis biomarker in colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Optimal management of cancer treatment will be guided by sensitive and specific biomarkers. Searching for potential biomarkers is always a hot spot in cancer research, including colorectal cancer (CRC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been recently proposed as biomarkers for cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on previous miRNA analysis in our hospital and data mining, we hypothesized that the ratio of miR-21/miR-24 (miR-21/24) may serve as plasma biomarkers in CRC patients. The plasma levels of miR-21 and miR-24 were analyzed from the 186 CRC patients before surgery and 97 healthy controls by qRT-PCR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was further used to evaluate the difference in diagnostic accuracy associated with the expression of miR-21, miR-24 and their ratio. Chi-square2-test or Fisher's exact test was performed to determine the relationship between the ratio of miR-21/24 and clinicopathological parameters. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank testing were performed to evaluate the effect of miR-21/24 ratio on the survival of colon cancer. Hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by Cox regression models. RESULTS: ROC curves revealed that the diagnostic accuracy AUC (area under the curve) in CRC tissue of miR-24, miR-21, and the ratio of miR-21/24 were 0.8971, 0.9128 and 0.9875, respectively. Notably, the ratio of miR-21/24, with the best accuracy among these miRNAs, was significantly correlated with several important prognosis factors in CRC, such as tumor size, TNM stage, lymph metastasis and histologic differentiation (all p<0.05). By Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis, the ratio of miR-21/24 was shown to be a significant survival risk factor for CRC patients. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that the plasma ratio of miR-21/24 is a potentially powerful tool for detecting CRC and predicting prognosis.

Role of GSPE in improving early cerebral vascular damage by inhibition of Profilin-1 expression in a ouabain-induced hypertension model.

OBJECTIVE: Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE), as one of the most popular natural drug extracted from the grape, has been reported to improve endothelial function and arteriosclerosis. However, little is known about the influence of GSPE on hypertension and vascular remodeling. Profilin-1, an Actin-binding protein, is closely involved in the remodeling of large vessels in ouabain-induced hypertension. To date, there is no effective prevention or treatment in place for the high incidence of ischemic stroke associated with hypertension. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of GSPE via inhibition Profilin-1 in ischemic cerebral cortices of ouabain-hypertension rats and potentially provide a new target to prevent stroke associated with hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The blood pressure of male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was measured during a period of ouabain-induced hypertension. The expression of Profilin-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the cerebral cortex were determined by quantitative Real Time-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Histopathological and behavioral tests were also conducted. RESULTS: Blood pressure elevation started at week 5 and reached clinical standards for hypertension at week 8. GSPE was proved to suppress Profilin-1 and VEGF levels through inhibition of Profilin-1-protein kinase B (AKT)-hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signal pathway and promote eNOS expression. Moreover, the histopathological and ethiological improvement was observed in GSPE over-expression and Profilin-1 inhibition groups. CONCLUSIONS: We detected that GSPE could improve cerebral vascular damage through inhibiting Profilin-1 in an ouabain-induced hypertension model.

Studies on the production of artificial seeds of coriander.

In this preliminary report, artificial seeds of coriander were produced by manipulating callus and somatic embryo formation as well as embryo encapsulation. The germination capacity of the artificial seeds under sterile conditions reached 82%, and the survival rate of seedlings was more than 83% after they were transplanted into soil.