ABSTRACT Fat deposition is higher in fast growing chickens than in slow growing chickens. The liver is the major organ for lipogenesis and fat deposition in chickens, although genetic background, age, and gender also influence fat deposition. In the present study, we aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying fat deposition in liver and abdominal fat. We determined the expression abundances of the key genes regulating fat metabolism in fast-growing (FG) broilers (Cobb) and slow-growing (SG) broilers (HS1) and found that ACC, FAS, PGC-1α, PPARγ, SREBP-1c and PLIN1genes were expressed in the abdominal fat and liver tissues of FG and SG. ANOVA analysis showed that the breed, age, and tissue factors influenced the expressions of ACC, FAS, PGC-1α, PPARγ, SREBP-1c, and PLIN1 genes in the liver and abdominal fat of FG and SG. Also, the expressions of PPARγ and PLIN1 in the liver of SG were higher than that of FG. The results suggest that the differences in adipocyte development and adipose deposition between breeds are due to genetic factors.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) to the basal diets of chickens at late laying period on clutch trait, reproductive organs, serum reproductive hormones and reproduction-related genes expression. A total of 350 hens (37 weeks old) with similar laying rate and clutch trait were randomly allocated into five groups, and fed 0 (Control, CON), 2.5 (MOLP2.5), 5, 7.5 and 10% MOLP supplemented diets for 6 weeks. The hens supplemented with 2.5% MLOP had the average clutch length, clutches and clutch intensity close to those in CON. The numbers and weight of hierarchal follicle were significantly increased at the supplementation 2.5% MOLP group. The estrogen concentration was highest in MOLP2.5 group and lowest in MOLP10 group. Expression levels of steroidogenesis-related genes of StAR and Cyp19a1 were higher in MOLP2.5, MOLP5 and MOLP7.5 groups compared with that in the control. These findings suggested that dietary supplementation with 2.5% MOLP effectively increased hierarchal follicle numbers, estrogen level and gene expression of StAR and Cyp19a1, which has a potential beneficial effect on laying performance in laying chicken.

SUMMARY: This study aimed to investigate the sagittal spinal-pelvic morphological changes, as well as the relationship between pelvic anatomical changes and the spinal-pelvic plane in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), in order to provide guidelines for orthopedic surgery in AIS. X-ray data were collected for retrospective analysis from 30 patients diagnosed as AIS in the Departments of Radiology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University and the Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Medical Hospital from April 2014 to November 2018, along with 30 normal adolescents as control. Pelvic parameters, including pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), and sacral slope (SS), a spinal parameter, lumbar lordosis (LL), and anatomical parameters, including sacral width (SW) and femoral head- sacrum distance (FH-S), were measured. The spinal-pelvic parameters were compared between AIS patients and normal controls and also between male and female AIS patients. Pearson correlation was performed to analyze correlation between spinal-pelvic parameters and between spinal-pelvic parameters and anatomical parameters in both AIS patients and normal controls. PT was significantly lower in AIS patients than in normal controls (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was found in the other spinal-pelvic parameters, i. e. , LL, PI, and SS. There was a significant difference in PT between sexes in AIS patients. SS was significantly correlated with LL in EIA patients (P < 0.05, r > 0.5). SS was significantly correlated with LL and PI, and PT with LL, PI, and SS in normal controls (all P < 0.05), and there was no significant correlation between the other sagittal spinal-pelvic parameters (P > 0.05). FH-S was significantly correlated with LL, PI, SS, and PT in AIS patients (all P < 0.05). AIS affects some of the sagittal spinalpelvic parameters and anatomical parameters. In AIS, there is a significant correlation between the spinal-pelvic parameters, and the anatomical parameter is significantly correlated with multiple spinal-pelvic parameters.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los cambios morfológicos sagitales de la columna vertebral-pélvica, así como la relación entre los cambios anatómicos pélvicos y el plano espinal-pélvico en pacientes con escoliosis idiopática adolescente (EIA), con el fin de proporcionar pautas para la cirugía ortopédica en AIS. Se obtuvieron los datos de rayos X para el análisis retrospectivo de 30 pacientes diagnosticados como EIA en los Departamentos de Radiología del hospital Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University y el hospital Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Medical Hospital, desde abril de 2014 hasta noviembre del 2018, junto con 30 adolescentes normales como control. Se midieron los parámetros pélvicos, que incluyeron incidencia pélvica (IP), inclinación pélvica (P) y pendiente sacra (PS), un parámetro espinal, lordosis lumbar (LL) y parámetros anatómicos, que incluyeron el ancho sacro (AS) y la distancia del sacro cabeza femoral (FH-S). Los parámetros espinalpélvicos se compararon entre los pacientes con EIA y los controles normales, como también entre pacientes con EIA masculinos y femeninos. La correlación de Pearson se realizó para analizar la correlación entre los parámetros espinal-pélvicos y entre los parámetros espinal-pélvicos y los parámetros anatómicos tanto en pacientes con EIA como en controles normales. PT fue significativamente menor en pacientes con EIA que en los controles normales (P <0,05), mientras que no se encontraron diferencias significativas en los otros parámetros espinal-pélvicos, i. mi. , LL, PI y SS. Hubo una diferencia significativa en PT en pacientes de ambos sexos con EIA. SS se correlacionó significativamente con LL en pacientes con EIA (P <0,05, r> 0,5). SS se correlacionó significativamente con LL y PI, y PT con LL, PI y SS en controles normales (todos P <0,05), y no hubo correlación significativa entre los otros parámetros sagitales de la columna vertebral-pélvica (P> 0,05) FH-S se correlacionó significativamente con LL, PI, SS y PT en pacientes con EIA (todos P <0,05). EIA afecta algunos de los parámetros sagitales de la columna vertebral-pélvica y los parámetros anatómicos. En EIA, existe una correlación significativa entre los parámetros espinal-pélvicos, y el parámetro anatómico se correlaciona significativamente con múltiples parámetros espinales-pélvicos.

Abstract Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main pathological basis of coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction and peripheral vascular disease, which seriously endanger people's life and health. In recent years, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has been found to be involved in gene expression regulation, but the research on AS is still in the initial stage. In this study, we mainly studied the role of HCG11 in patients with AS. Quantitative Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (QRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of HCG11 and miR-144 in the serum of AS patients and healthy volunteers. Oxidation Low Lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α) radiation were used to establish human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro model. Cell proliferation was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry (FACS) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) staining. The expression levels of Forkhead box protein F1 (FOXF1), B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and BCL2-Associated X (Bax) were detected by qRT-PCR. Luciferase gene reporter and RNA pull down experiments confirmed the relationship between HCG11 and miR-144, miR-144 and FOXF1. Results: This study showed that HCG11 was significantly upregulated in patients with AS, while miR-144 was down-regulated in patients with AS. Ox-LDL and IL-6 in VSMCs induced up-regulation of HCG11 and down-regulation of miR-144. Overexpression of HCG11 promoted the proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of VSMCs. Luciferase gene reporter gene assay showed that HCG11 could bind to miR-144, and miR-144 could bind to FOXF1. Overexpression of miR-144 reversed the effect of HCG11 on VSMCs. Conclusions: LncRNA HCG11 regulates proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cell through targeting miR-144-3p/FOXF1 axis.

ABSTRACT Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are present on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix in all metazoans. HSPGs interact with growth factors and receptors through heparan sulfate (HS) chains. The sulfation pattern of heparan sulfate chains influences signaling events mediated by heparan sulfate proteoglycans located on the cell surface. SULF1 and SULF2 are two endo-sulfatases that can cleave specific 6-O-sulfate groups within the heparan chains. To determine their possible roles in tissues and satellite cells in vitro, their expression pattern was examined in tissues from 40-day-old chickens and in satellite cells from the breast muscles of 1-week-old and 2-week-old chickens using RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry analyses. The SULF1 and SULF2 transcripts were widely distributed in various tissues. Upon increasing culture times in chicken´s primary skeletal muscle satellite cells, SULF1 and SULF2 expression in 1-week-old chickens was significantly higher than in 2-week-old chickens, suggesting that sulfatases play a key role in satellite cell development. Therefore, our findings increase our knowledge of sulfatase expression diversity and provide a solid basis for further research concerning this molecular mechanism.

ABSTRACT There is increasing evidence that bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) plays critical roles in regulating various stages of ovarian follicle development in mammals. However, the mechanisms of regulation of BMP6 in the chicken ovary remain unclear. In this study, mRNA and protein expression level of BMP6 in chicken ovarian follicles at different development stages were determined by qRT-PCR and western blot separately. Different concentrations of BMP6 protein and FSH were added to the culture medium, and the effects to proliferation of granulose cells were detected, further effect on expression pattern of progesterone synthesis associated genes were also analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting and the secretion of progesterone was detected by ELISA. The results showed that mRNA and protein expression level of BMP6 increased significantly in the follicle with the development of follicle (p<0.05) and reached a peak at F1 follicle. Adding concentration of 50ng/ml and 100ng/ml of BMP6 protein promoted significantly the proliferation of granulosa cells (p<0.05), as well as up-regulated the expression of Steroid hormone synthesis acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) genes in mRNA and protein level. Meanwhile, the secretion of progesterone was significantly higher in the group that added BMP6 and FSH separately than blank control group (p<0.05) and reached a peak in the group that both added BMP6 and FSH. Collectively, these findings highlight that BMP6 is associated with proliferation of follicular cells and the synthesis of progesterone, which indicated that it took an important role in the follicular development of chicken.

ABSTRACT The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene plays a key role in controlling the deposition of melanin. In mammals, the MC1Rgene is regarded as a major candidate gene in the control of melanin formation. In domestic animals, the MC1R gene mainly controls the expression of coat, skin, and plumage color in mammals and birds. In order to breed chickens with dark-green shank faster, we screened the molecular markers for shank color in a HS chicken population by exploring the relationship between polymorphism of the MC1R gene and three different shank colors (light green, dark green and yellow). Two primer pairs for code region of the MC1R gene were designed in the basic of chicken genomic sequence. DNA sequencing was performed to detect the polymorphisms and PCR was used to amplify DNA fragment. Sequences analysis indicated that 7 SNPs were predominant the three HS chicken populations with different shank color, including g.18,287,945C>T, g.18,288,088T>C, g.18,288,150G>A, g.18,288,303A>G, g.18,288,512G>A, g.18,288,513T>C, and g.18,288,520A>C. Association analysis revealed that the dark-green shank population showed moderate polymorphism, whereas the light-green shank population showed low polymorphism among overall 7 SNPs and that SNP6 (g.18,288,513T>C) may be significantly associated with three different shank colors in HS chickens. The haplotype CTGGACA had the largest haplotype frequencies, accounting for 56.22%, and the haplotype combination H1H1 is mainly distributed in the dark-green shank population, and may be used as molecular maker for marker-assisted selection of shank color in HS chickens.

ABSTRACT In this study, a method utilizing PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of a mitochondrial gene was developed for the identification of chicken (Gallus gallus), quail (Coturnix coturnix), and common pigeon (Columba livia) meat. PCR products of ~440 bp were obtained from the 12S rRNA gene of these three birds using a pair of universal primers. The three terrestrial birds can be distinguished using one restriction endonuclease, Alu I, which was selected based on species-specific variations in the mt 12S rRNA gene sequence using 9 newly-obtained and 44 published chicken, quail and pigeon sequences. This method was also successfully used to identify commercial quail and pigeon meat products, which were found to be adulterated with chicken meat. Additionally, our method had relatively high sensitivity for detecting a meat mixture. Ten percent of chicken meat in the mixed quail and pigeon sample was detectable. This assay can be useful for the accurate identification of meats from terrestrial birds, avoiding mislabeling or fraudulent species substitution in meat products.

ABSTRACT BMP6, a member of the subfamilies of the morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), plays a crucial role in osteogenic and chondrocyte differentiation in vitro and stimulates chondrogenesis, making chondrocytes differen-tiate on their terminal stage. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between polymorphism of BMP6 gene and slaughter traits in chicken respectively. We screened the exonic and intronic regions of BMP6 gene by DNA pool construction and amplified DNA fragment by PCR, and finally, we got nine SNPs. Association analysis revealed that BMP6 had no significant association among all slaughter traits in Yellow bantam chicken. However, BMP6 had a significant difference with femur weight, tibia weight, femur length (p<0.05), and was extremely significant with tibia length (p<0.01) in Avian chicken. Moreover, femur perimeter also had significant correlation with BMP6 in Avian chicken. These results provide useful information for further investigation on the function of chicken BMP6 gene.

RESUMEN Existe gran dificultad para la detección en tiempo real para series de datos masivos con altos niveles de ruido de valores atípicos. Se propone un algoritmo de autoaprendizaje ARHMM (Modelo autoregresivo oculto de Markov) para llevar a cabo la detección de dichos valores atípicos en el proceso de análisis del grado mineral geológico. El algoritmo usa un modelo AR para ajustar la serie de tiempo obtenida del "analizador de fluorescencia de rayos X" y hace uso del HMM como una herramienta básica de detección, la cual puede evitar la deficiencia de predeterminar el umbral en métodos tradicionales de detección. Para actualizar los parámetros del ARHMM en tiempo real, la estructura del algoritmo BDT (Brockwell-Dahlhaus-Trindade) tradicional se mejora para ser una doble estructura iterativa en la que se aplica el cálculo iterativo en tiempo y en orden respectivamente. Con el propósito de reducir la influencia de valores atípicos (o extremos) en la actualización del parámetro de ARHMM, se adoptan las estrategias de detección-antes-que-actualización y la detección-basada-en-actualización, lo que también aumenta la robustez del algoritmo. La subsiguiente simulación por modelos de datos y aplicación práctica comprueba la precisión, fortaleza y capacidad de la detección en línea del algoritmo. De acuerdo con el resultado, es evidente que el nuevo algoritmo propuesto en este artículo es más apropiado para la detección de datos de valores atipicos para el análisis del grado mineral en geología y el procesamiento mineral.

ABSTRACT Given the difficulty of accurate online detection for massive data collecting real-timely in a strong noise environment during the complex geological mineral grade analysis process, an order self-learning ARHMM (Autoregressive Hidden Markov Model) algorithm is proposed to carry out online outlier detection in the geological mineral grade analysis process. The algorithm utilizes AR model to fit the time series obtained from "Online x - ray Fluorescent Mineral Analyzer" and makes use of HMM as a basic detectiontool, which canavoidthe deficiency ofpresettingthethreshold intraditional detectionmethods.Thestructure oftraditional BDT (Brockwell-Dahlhaus-Trindade) algorithm is improved to be a double iterative structure in which iterative calculation from both time and order is applied respectively to update parameters ofARHMM online. With the purpose of reducing the influence of outlier on parameter update of ARHMM, the strategies of detection-before-update and detection-based-update are adopted, which also improve the robustness of the algorithm. Subsequent simulation by model data and practical application verify the accuracy, robustness, and property of online detection of the algorithm. According to the result, it is obvious that new algorithm proposed in this paper is more suitable for outlier detection of mineral grade analysis data in geology and mineral processing.

Studies on the fatigue behaviour of composite deck slabs are relatively few. To assess the fatigue performance of a composite deck slab at specific design loads, and to provide a reference for its design in fatigue, two full-scale models A and B of a composite deck slab were developed, comprising steel plates and steel-fibre-reinforced concrete slabs. These models will be a useful reference for experiments and design, and for developing codes. In this study we carried out fatigue experiments and focused on the fatigue performance of a composite deck slab in a column area, and the positive and negative bending moments. For the entire fatigue loading cycle, the overall performance of Models A and B was good, the overall stiffness of the composite deck slab was rarely attenuated, the stress levels in the steel members in relation to the fracture strength were not significant, and the steel member was in the stage of flexible work. Through comprehensive tests of Models A and B it was found that the original design exhibits good fatigue performance and meets the design requirements. The research results provide a basis for the design of a composite bridge deck slab in fatigue.

O estimador dos Mínimos Quadrados Total é muito sensível à presença de outliers no modelo de observações de erro. Neste trabalho apresenta-se um novo modelo para detecção de outliers baseado na técnica data-snooping. Primeiro, é proposto um método iterativo para determinar o estimador dos Mínimos Quadrados Total na teoria dos Mínimos Quadrados. Em seguida, o teste estatatístico w é construído para detectar outliers enquanto as observações e a matriz de coeficientes são contaminadas com a presença de outliers, sendo sugerido um algoritmo específico para detecção de outliers. Quando o fator de variância é desconhecido, ele deve ser estimado pelo método dos Mínimos Quadrados Medianos. Foram analisados dados simulados e reais. Os resultados numéricos mostraram que o método proposto é capaz de identificar se os outliers se encontram nas componentes em x ou em y, enquanto as observações e a matriz de coeficientes são contaminados com outliers.

The weighed total least square (WTLS) estimate is very sensitive to the outliers in the partial EIV model. A new procedure for detecting outliers based on the data-snooping is presented in this paper. Firstly, a two-step iterated method of computing the WTLS estimates for the partial EIV model based on the standard LS theory is proposed. Secondly, the corresponding w-test statistics are constructed to detect outliers while the observations and coefficient matrix are contaminated with outliers, and a specific algorithm for detecting outliers is suggested. When the variance factor is unknown, it may be estimated by the least median squares (LMS) method. At last, the simulated data and real data about two-dimensional affine transformation are analyzed. The numerical results show that the new test procedure is able to judge that the outliers locate in x component, y component or both components in coordinates while the observations and coefficient matrix are contaminated with outliers

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of feeding conditions on methylation status of FATP1 gene, which is an important candidate gene of Intramuscular fat and important indicator of chicken meat quality. We selected Daninghe (DNH) and Qingjiaoma (QJM) chickens under scatter-feeding and captivity-feeding conditions as experimental animals, and detected the methylation status of FATP1 genes in chicken breast muscle using Bisulfite Sequencing PCR method. The results showed that the methylation level of FATP1 in scatter-fed chicken was lower than in captivity-fed conditions in DNH and QIM chicken breast tissues; DNA methylation in the promoter and exon1 region was demonstrated to negatively regulate the expression of the FATP1 gene. These results suggested that feeding conditions affect the methylation status and expression level of FATP1, thereby affecting the Intramuscular fat content in DNH and QJM chicken breast muscle.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the diagnosis of thoracic sarcoidosis. Methods: A retrospective dataset of 35 patients who receive d EBUS-TBNA was analysed. These patients underwent EBUS-TBNA due to suspected sarcoidosis (radiographic stages I and II) with enlarged hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes (≥ 1.0 cm) revealed by computed tomography. When EBUS-TBNA was considered to be nondiagnostic, surgical biopsy and clinical and radiological follow-up was performed. Results: Twenty-eight of 35 (80%) patients had a final diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Among them, 25 (89.3%) were diagnosed by EBUS-TBNA. Conclusion: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration is a safe and effective procedure for the diagnosis of stages I and II of thoracic sarcoidosis.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia de la aspiración con aguja transbronquial guiada por ultrasonido endo-bronquial (EBUS-TBNA, por sus siglas en inglés) en el diagnóstico de la sarcoidosis torácica. Métodos: Se analizó un conjunto de datos retrospectivos de 35 pacientes que recibieron EBUS-TBNA. Estos pacientes experimentaron EBUS-TBNA debido a sospecha de sarcoidosis (etapas radiográficas I y II) con agrandamiento de los ganglios linfáticos o hiliares (≥ 1,0 cm) revelados por tomografía com-putarizada. Cuando se consideraba que el EBUS-TBNA no conducía a un diagnóstico, se realizaba una biopsia quirúrgica y un seguimiento clínico y radiológico. Resultados: Veintiocho de 35 (80%) pacientes tuvieron un diagnóstico final de sarcoidosis. De ellos, 25 (89.3%) fueron diagnosticados mediante EBUS-TBNA. Conclusión: La aspiración mediante aguja transbronquial guiada por ecografía endobronquial es un procedimiento seguro y eficaz para el diagnóstico de la sarcoidosis torácica en las etapas I y II.

ABSTRACT Background: The aim of parapelvic cyst treatment is to have complete drainage of cyst fluid and prevent its further compression of the kidney and collective system. This study explores the efficacy and safety of surgical approaches with holmium laser ureteroscopic internal drainage in the treatment of parapelvic cyst. Methods: The compression effect of parapelvic cyst on the renal collective system was observed by rigid ureteroscope using retrograde ureteroscopic technology. With direct vision, the cyst wall on the obvious parapelvic compression site was cut. The diameter of the cyst wall cut was about 1 cm. The internal drainage was obtained by double-J tubes. When the cyst was in the inferior pole of kidney or where the rigid ureteroscope could not reach, a flexible ureteroscope was used. Results: In 28 cases of operation, 27 cases were successful. The cyst treatment time was eight to 40 minutes (average 26 minutes). During the operation, no massive haemorrhage, damage of nearby organ and ureter, or other complications happened. Time of follow-up was 10–72 months (average 39 months). The results of follow-up showed that in 22 cases, the cyst disappeared; the diameter of the cyst in four cases was reduced by more than half, and one case recurred. Conclusion: The treatment of parapelvic cyst by internal drainage operation using holmium laser and ureteroscopy was effective. The operation was safe with few complications.

RESUMEN Antecedentes: El objetivo del tratamiento de quiste parapélvico es lograr el drenaje completo del líquido del quiste y prevenir su compresión ulterior del riñón y el sistema colectivo. Este estudio explora la eficacia y seguridad de los abordajes quirúrgicos cn drenaje interno mediante ureteroscopia con láser de holmio en el tratamiento de quiste parapélvico. Métodos: El efecto de la compresión del quiste parapélvico del sistema colectivo renal fue observado mediante ureteroscopio rígido utilizando la tecnología ureteroscópica retrógrada. Con visión directa, la pared del quiste fue cortada en el sitio obvio de la compresión parapélvica. El diámetro de la pared del quiste cortada era alrededor de 1 cm. El drenaje interno se obtuvo con catéteres doble J. Cuando el quiste estaba en el polo inferior del riñón o donde no podía llegar el ureteroscopio rígido, se utilizaba un ureteroscopio flexible. Resultados: De 28 casos de operación, 27 casos tuvieron éxito. El tiempo de tratamiento del quiste fue de ocho a 40 minutos (un promedio de 26 minutos). Durante las operaciones, no hubo hemorragias masivas, daños de órganos y uréteres, u otras complicaciones. El tiempo de seguimiento fue de 10 a 72 meses (un promedio de 39 meses). Los resultados del seguimiento mostraron que en 22 casos, el quiste desapareció. En cuatro casos, el diámetro del quiste se redujo en más de la mitad, y reapareció en uno de los casos. Conclusión: El tratamiento de quiste parapélvico por operación de drenaje interno con láser de holmio y ureteroscopia fue eficaz. La operación fue segura con pocas complicaciones.