Comprehensive Analysis Reveals the Potential Diagnostic Value of Biomarkers Associated With Aging and Circadian Rhythm in Knee Osteoarthritis.

Objective: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is characterized by structural changes. Aging is a major risk factor for KOA. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the role of genes related to aging and circadian rhythms in KOA.

Research note: Whole-genome sequencing revealed genomic diversity dynamics in duck conserved populations.

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively analyze the genetic diversity of the Pekin duck conserved population with five generations and to evaluate the effectiveness of the current conservation strategy. In total, 277 Pekin duck conserved individuals and 40 Mallards as ancestral controls were collected. Each duck was sequenced at about 10X whole-genome coverage, while over 7.

Microbial community composition and co-occurrence network analysis of the rhizosphere soil of the main constructive tree species in Helan Mountain of Northwest China.

To understand the microbial diversity and community composition within the main constructive tree species, Picea crassifolia, Betula platyphylla, and Pinus tabuliformis, in Helan Mountain and their response to changes in soil physicochemical factors, a high throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze the bacterial and fungal diversity and community structure. RDA (Redundancy Analysis) and Pearson correlation analysis were used to explore the influence of soil physicochemical factors on microbial community construction, and co-occurrence network analysis was conducted on the microbial communities. The results showed that the fungal and bacterial diversity was highest in B.

Enterococci independently increase the risk for initial antibiotic treatment failure and prolonged hospitalization in adult patients with complicated urinary tract infection: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the impact of enterococci on initial antibiotic treatment (IAT) failure and prolonged hospitalization in complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI) cases, and to identify risk factors for enterococcal cUTI.

Methods: Adult cUTI patients were analyzed to compare the differences between the Enterococcus and non-Enterococcus groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to identify independent risk factors.

Splenic proteome profiling in response to Marek's disease virus strain GX0101 infection.

Marek's disease virus (MDV) strain GX0101 was the first reported field strain of recombinant gallid herpesvirus type 2 (GaHV-2). However, the splenic proteome of MDV-infected chickens remains unclear. In this study, a total of 28 1-day-old SPF chickens were intraperitoneally injected with chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) containing 2000 PFU GX0101.

A chromosome-level genome assembly for the Silkie chicken resolves complete sequences for key chicken metabolic, reproductive, and immunity genes.

A set of high-quality pan-genomes would help identify important genes that are still hidden/incomplete in bird reference genomes. In an attempt to address these issues, we have assembled a de novo chromosome-level reference genome of the Silkie (Gallus gallus domesticus), which is an important avian model for unique traits, like fibromelanosis, with unclear genetic foundation. This Silkie genome includes the complete genomic sequences of well-known, but unresolved, evolutionarily, endocrinologically, and immunologically important genes, including leptin, ovocleidin-17, and tumor-necrosis factor-α.

Comparison of Structural Features of CRISPR-Cas Systems in Thermophilic Bacteria.

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) is an adaptive immune system that defends most archaea and many bacteria from foreign DNA, such as phages, viruses, and plasmids. The link between the CRISPR-Cas system and the optimum growth temperature of thermophilic bacteria remains unclear. To investigate the relationship between the structural characteristics, diversity, and distribution properties of the CRISPR-Cas system and the optimum growth temperature in thermophilic bacteria, genomes of 61 species of thermophilic bacteria with complete genome sequences were downloaded from GenBank in this study.

Expression of β-Glucosidases from the Yak Rumen in Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Genetic Engineering Approach.

β-glucosidase derived from microorganisms has wide industrial applications. In order to generate genetically engineered bacteria with high-efficiency β-glucosidase, in this study two subunits ( and ) of β-glucosidase obtained from the yak rumen were expressed as independent proteins and fused proteins in lactic acid bacteria ( NZ9000). The engineered strains NZ9000/pMG36e-usp45-, NZ9000/pMG36e-usp45-, NZ9000/pMG36e-usp45--usp45- were successfully constructed.

Mouse Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Model Induced by Periarterial Incubation of Papain.

For decades, numerous experimental animal models have been developed to examine the pathophysiologic mechanisms and potential treatments for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in diverse species with varying chemical or surgical approaches. This study aimed to create an AAA mouse model by the periarterial incubation with papain, which can mimic human AAA with advantages such as simplicity, convenience, and high efficiency. Eighty C57BL/6J male mice were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 groups: papain (1.

Effect of matrine in MAC-T cells and their transcriptome analysis: A basic study.

Matrine, an alkaloid derived from herbal medicine, has a wide range of biological activities, including antibacterial. Matrine was toxic to multiple cells at high concentrations. Bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T) could be used as model cells for cow breast.

Progesterone Induces Apoptosis and Steroidogenesis in Porcine Placental Trophoblasts.

Placentation and placental steroidogenesis are important for pregnancy and maternal−fetal health. As pregnancy progresses, the main site of progesterone (P4) synthesis changes from the corpus luteum to the placenta, in which placental trophoblasts are the main cell type for P4 synthesis. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of P4 on apoptosis and steroidogenesis in porcine placental trophoblasts and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Effect of Two Different Drug-Resistant Strains on the Physiological Properties of MAC-T Cells and Their Transcriptome Analysis.

() is one of the main pathogens causing mastitis in dairy cows. The current work mainly focuses on the pathway of apoptosis induction in MAC-T cells caused by infection or other factors. However, the physiological characteristics of infected MAC-T cells and the resulting mRNA expression profile remain unknown particularly in the case of diverse drug resistant strains.

Supplementation of EGF, IGF-1, and Connexin 37 in IVM Medium Significantly Improved the Maturation of Bovine Oocytes and Vitrification of Their IVF Blastocysts.

The quality and developmental capacity of oocytes derived from in vitro maturation (IVM) remain unsatisfactory, which greatly impairs the efficiency and application of embryo technologies. The present experiment was designed to investigate the effect of the supplementation of EGF, IGF-1, and Cx37 in an IVM medium on the maturation quality and development ability of bovine oocytes. The cytoplasmic maturation events of oocytes and the quality of in vitro fertilization (IVF) blastocysts were examined to investigate the relative mechanisms.

Operationalising Regional Cooperation for Infectious Disease Control: A Scoping Review of Regional Disease Control Bodies and Networks.

Background: The rapid spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic demonstrates the value of regional cooperation in infectious disease prevention and control. We explored the literature on regional infectious disease control bodies, to identify lessons, barriers and enablers to inform operationalisation of a regional infectious disease control body or network in southeast Asia.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review to examine existing literature on regional infectious disease control bodies and networks, and to identify lessons that can be learned that will be useful for operationalisation of a regional infectious disease control body such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Center for Public Health Emergency and Emerging Diseases.

Melatonin improves the maturation and developmental ability of bovine oocytes by up-regulating GJA4 to enhance gap junction intercellular communication.

Melatonin (MT) increases oocyte maturation by reducing reactive oxygen species level and enhancing oocyte antioxidant capacity. However, the mechanisms via which MT works are still poorly understood. In the present study, the effects of MT on the maturation rate and development ability of bovine oocytes were investigated.

Angiogenic Microspheres for the Treatment of a Thin Endometrium.

The poor vascular development of an endometrium is the key cause of a thin endometrium due to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) decreasing in the glandular epithelium. Hence, inducing angiogenesis is an effective strategy for thin endometrium treatment in clinic. Herein, we developed a novel angiogenic hydrogel microsphere based on methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) loaded with VEGF for the treatment of a thin endometrium by a microfluidic electrospray technique.

iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analyses the cycle chronic heat stress affecting liver proteome in yellow-feather chickens.

Heat stress (HS) is one of the main environmental factors affecting the efficiency of poultry production. The yellow-feather chickens (YFC) as an indigenous strain of chicken is a popular poultry breed in China. Our previous study used the RNA-seq to analyze the gene expression profiles of male YFC under HS and showed that the lipid and energy metabolism pathways are activated in livers of YFC exposed to acute HS (38°C, 4 h and 25°C recovery 2 h).

Postpartum Uterine Involution and Embryonic Development Pattern in Chinese Holstein Dairy Cows.

Understanding the postpartum uterine involution pattern and embryonic development could facilitate bovine reproduction management, improve reproductive efficiency, and diagnosis of the reproductive disorder, which would contribute to the success of the dairy business. This study aimed to investigate postpartum uterine involution and embryonic developmental patterns or postconceptional marks of embryonic fetal development in Chinese Holstein dairy cows using B-mode ultrasonography. The results revealed a significant decline in the involution period with an increase of parity and age.

A post-GWAS confirming the genetic effects and functional polymorphisms of AGPAT3 gene on milk fatty acids in dairy cattle.

Background: People are paying more attention to the healthy and balanced diet with the improvement of their living standards. Milk fatty acids (FAs) have been reported that they were related to some atherosclerosis and coronary heart diseases in human. In our previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) on milk FAs in dairy cattle, 83 genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected.

Influence of N-acetylcysteine on steroidogenesis and gene expression in porcine placental trophoblast cells.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a widely used anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant in vivo and in vitro. As a nutritional supplement, NAC can improve production and reproductive performances in animals through enhancing placental function and regulating hormone production. Trophoblast proliferation and steroid hormone production are two major functions in the placenta.

Effects of N-carbamylglutamate on steroidogenesis and relative abundances of mRNA transcripts in pig placental trophoblasts.

Supplementation of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) improves gestation outcomes, with increased piglet within-litter uniformity of birth weight and reduced peripheral steroid concentrations in pregnant sows and ewes. It was hypothesized that the effect of NCG on placental function results from direct effects on the placental trophoblasts. There, therefore, was investigation of the effects of NCG on pig placental trophoblast (pTr) steroidogenesis, mRNA transcript abundance, and cell proliferation in vitro.

Polymorphisms and genetic effects of PRLR, MOGAT1, MINPP1 and CHUK genes on milk fatty acid traits in Chinese Holstein.

Background: Our initial genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified 20 promising candidate genes for milk fatty acid (FA) traits in a Chinese Holstein population, including PRLR, MOGAT1, MINPP1 and CHUK genes. In this study, we performed whether they had significant genetic effects on milk FA traits in Chinese Holstein.

Results: We re-sequenced the entire exons and 3000 bp of the 5' and 3' flanking regions, and identified 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), containing four in PRLR, two in MOGAT1, two in MINPP1, and three in CHUK.