Comparative study on the gene expression of corticosterone metabolic enzymes in embryonic tissues between Tibetan and broiler chickens.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are an essential mediator hormone that can regulate animal growth, behavior, the phenotype of offspring, and so on, while GCs in poultry are predominantly corticosterones. The biological activity of GCs is mainly regulated by the intracellular metabolic enzymes, including 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases 1 (11β-HSD1), 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases 2 (11β-HSD2), and 20-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20-HSD). To investigate the embryonic mechanisms of phenotypic differences between breeds, we compared the expression of corticosterone metabolic enzyme genes in the yolk-sac membrane and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM).

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG responses are powerful predicting signatures for the outcome of COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: The COVID-19 global pandemic is far from ending. There is an urgent need to identify applicable biomarkers for early predicting the outcome of COVID-19. Growing evidences have revealed that SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies evolved with disease progression and severity in COIVD-19 patients.

Antibody dynamics to SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic COVID-19 infections.

Background: The missing asymptomatic COVID-19 infections have been overlooked because of the imperfect sensitivity of the nucleic acid testing (NAT). Globally understanding the humoral immunity in asymptomatic carriers will provide scientific knowledge for developing serological tests, improving early identification, and implementing more rational control strategies against the pandemic.

Measure: Utilizing both NAT and commercial kits for serum IgM and IgG antibodies, we extensively screened 11 766 epidemiologically suspected individuals on enrollment and 63 asymptomatic individuals were detected and recruited.

Comparison of the sequences and expression levels of genes related to follicular development and atresia between prolific and nonprolific goat breeds.

This study investigated the variations of the nucleotide sequences and ovarian expression levels of genes related to follicular development and atresia in prolific Jintang black goats and nonprolific Tibetan goats. Eight genes, FSHB, LHB, FSHR, LHCGR, ESR2, B4GANT2, BCL2 and BAX, were examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the LHB and BAX genes were not different, but there was one base change in the FSHR genes between the two breeds.

Identification of yak lactate dehydrogenase B gene variants by gene cloning.

Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that two types of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) existed in yaks. Based on the electrophoresis characteristics of LDH isoenzymes, yak LDH variants were speculated to be the gene mutation on H subunit encoded by B gene. According to the mobility in electrophoresis, the fast-band LDH type was named LDH-Hf and the slow-band LDH type LDH-Hs.

Bovine glucose transporter GLUT8: cloning, expression, and developmental regulation in mammary gland.

GLUT8 is a newly identified member of the facilitative glucose transporter family, which characteristically exhibits high-affinity glucose transport activity. The expression of GLUT8 has been shown to depend on gonadotropin secretion in human testes and to be regulated by insulin in the blastocyst. To characterize GLUT8 and investigate its role in normal mammary gland function, we cloned and sequenced the full-length cDNA of bovine GLUT8.