Esophageal cancer epidemiology, diagnosis, and management in Sudan - A review.

INTRODUCTION: In Sudan, cancer a common health challenge, is the leading cause of death after malaria and viral pneumonia. The aim of the review is to determine the risk factors associated with esophageal cancer (EC) among Sudanese population. METHODS: All published online data concerning EC epidemiology, diagnosis, and management in Sudan were studied. RESULTS: The prevalence of EC in Sudan is ranked fourth among cancer types in males and fifth in females. The squamous cell carcinoma is more predominant than adenocarcinoma. The dietary, dysplasia and teeth loss, cigarette smoking, age, sex, GERD, genetic and environmental interactions remain a risk for developing EC in clinical practice. A significant challenge for treatment is that most of EC patients were often diagnosed in advanced stages due to the lack of early clinical symptoms. Management of EC depends on patient fitness and tumor stage, endoscopic removal was used for early tumors, while chemotherapy, chemo-radiotherapy, surgical resection, or combinations of these were used for advanced tumors. Despite improvements in the management and treatment of EC patients, the general outcome remains very poor. Furthermore, using molecular techniques to better understand the etiology of EC, it may assist in identifying complicated and critical issues and improve therapy towards a new treatment strategy. CONCLUSION: The remarkable factors associated with EC among Sudanese are geographical variation, environmental factors, ethnic differences, dietary and social habits.

COVID-19 in Sudan: Response towards control and prevention.

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Temporal and spatial expression of Smads and their correlation with YAP1 expression in sheep.

The temporal and spatial patterns of Smad and Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) expression were investigated in skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius muscle and extensor digitorum longus) at different growth stages (2 days old, 2 and 6 months old) in Hu sheep. Smads were differentially expressed in sheep skeletal muscle, with high expression in the gastrocnemius muscle and lower expression in the extensor digitorum longus. Expression of Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 at the 2-day-old stage was significantly higher than at other stages (P < 0.05). The expression of Smad7 in 2-day-old sheep was lower than in 6-month-old sheep, with the lowest levels at 2 months. Smad expression was higher in males than in females at the 2-day-old stage, and expression in 2- and 6-month-old males was lower than that in 2-day-old females. Smad3 expression was higher in the 2-day- and 2-month-old males than in the females. There was a positive correlation (P < 0.01) between YAP1 and Smad2 expression in gastrocnemius muscle at the 2-month-old stage. YAP1 and Smad4/7 expression were positively correlated (P < 0.01) in extensor digitorum longus at the 2-day-old stage. YAP1 expression was negatively correlated with Smad7 in the extensor digitorum longus at 6 months. A significant difference between Smad2 and Smad3 (P < 0.01) expression in muscle was observed, consistent with Smad3 and Smad4 expression, indicating that these inhibit transforming growth factor-ß signaling in the same way. There was a positive correlation (P < 0.01) between YAP1 and MSTN expression, suggesting that YAP1 participates in muscle growth in sheep.

Candidate genes for the development of hair follicles in Hu sheep.

The aim of this study was to detect candidate genes for the development of hair follicles in the Hu sheep breed. Seven genes have been detected in large, medium, and small wave follicles of Hu sheep using gene chip technology. The histological features of the follicles of newborn Hu-lambs were combined with fluorescence quantitative PCR technology to detect the correlation between the expression of the seven genes and hair follicle development. Among the genes studied, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7), and sideroflexin 1 (SFXN1) showed a significantly different pattern of expression in large, medium, and small wave follicles (P < 0.05). The expression of MMP2 had a significant positive correlation with secondary follicles in large waves (P < 0.05), while the expression of BMP7 had a significant correlation with primary follicle diameter in small wave follicles, and a highly significant positive correlation with the number of secondary follicles in the small waves (P < 0.01). The expression of SFXN1 was significantly and positively correlated with the diameters of small wave primary follicles; it also showed a highly significant positive correlation with secondary follicle diameters. Although other genes are associated with hair follicles, their expression in large, medium, and small wave follicles was not significant. We propose that BMP7, MMP2, and SFXN1 genes could be important candidate genes for use in breeding Hu lambs with early coat development.

Sheep YAP1 temporal and spatial expression trend and its relation with MyHCs expression.

RT-PCR was used to study the temporal and spatial pattern of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression in four different skeletal muscles (i.e., longissimus dorsi muscle, soleus muscle, gastrocnemius muscle, and extensor digitorum longus) and three growth stages (i.e., 2 days old, 2 and 6 months old) of Hu Sheep. The results showed that YAP1 was differentially expressed in skeletal muscles of sheep, that expression increased gradually with age, and that there were high levels of expression in the gastrocnemius muscle and lower levels in the longissimus dorsi muscle. MyHCI was expressed at high levels in the soleus muscle and at lower levels in the longissimus dorsi muscle. In contrast, MyHCIIA and MyHCIIX were expressed at high levels in the extensor digitorum longus and at lower levels in the soleus muscle. The expression of MyHCI and MyHCIIA decreased with increasing age while that of MyHCIIX increased. YAP1 expression was negatively correlated with MyHCII (P < 0.01) and positively correlated with MyHCIIX (P < 0.01) across all growth stages and skeletal muscle types studied. We speculate that after birth, the thicker muscle fiber diameter is associated with the high expression of MyHCIIX. Therefore, we conclude that YAP1 expression affects sheep muscle fiber development after birth and provides important genetic information for the selection candidate genes for sheep muscle growth.

Correlation between sheep YAP1 temporal and spatial expression trends and MSTN and MyoG gene expression.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) gene expression after birth on the development of muscle and the relationship between YAP1 and myostatin (MSTN) and myogenin (MyoG). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the trends in YAP1, MSTN, and MyoG temporal and spatial expression levels in various skeletal muscles (i.e., longissimus dorsi muscle, soleus muscle, gastrocnemius muscle, and extensor digitorum longus) and across 3 different growth stages (i.e., 2 days old, 2 and 6 months old) of Hu Sheep. The results showed that YAP1 expression was significantly different in the skeletal muscles of sheep; the expression level gradually increased with age; it was highly expressed in the gastrocnemius muscle and minimally expressed in the longissimus dorsi muscle. MSTN, a negative regulator of skeletal muscle development, was minimally expressed in the soleus muscle and might be related to the enlargement of muscle fiber diameter. MyoG, an important factor in regulating skeletal muscle development, was minimally expressed in the longissimus dorsi muscle and extensor digitorum longus, and highly expressed in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles; it might inhibit the enlargement of muscle fiber diameter after birth. YAP1 expression was significantly (P < 0.05) or extremely significantly (P < 0.01) and positively correlated with MSTN and MyoG at 2 days old, 2 and 6 months old. YAP1 expression was related to muscle fiber development after birth and might be a candidate gene for the regulation of muscle growth.

Association between DLK1 and IGF-I gene expression and meat quality in sheep.

The aim of the present study was to detect delta-like 1 ho-molog (DLK1) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene expression in the longissimus dorsi of Hu sheep at different growth stages and study the association between these genes and meat quality. The diameter and density of muscle fibers and tenderness of the longissimus dorsi were measured. Growth stage, but not sex, significantly affected DLK1 and IGF-I expression. DLK1 and IGF-I expression in the sheep longissimus dorsi gradually increased with growth, but also decreased during some periods. These results suggest that different growth stages significantly affect DLK1 and IGF-I gene expression in sheep muscle tissue. The ex-pression of DLK1 and IGF-I genes were positively and significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with muscle fiber diameter and muscle fiber shear stress, and negatively and significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with muscle fiber density. Muscle fiber diameter was positively and significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with muscle fiber shear stress, and negatively and significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with muscle fiber density. In addition, DLK-1 expression was significantly (P < 0.01) and positively correlated with IGF-I expression.

Developmental changes in IGF-I and MyoG gene expression and their association with meat traits in sheep.

In the present study, real time-polymerase chain reaction was applied to analyze the expression of IGF-I and MyoG genes in Hu sheep longissimus dorsi at different growth stages and their association with meat traits. Expression of the IGF-I gene in Hu sheep differed significantly between males and females at the two day-old (0.01 < P < 0.05), one-month old (0.01 < P < 0.05), and three month-old (P < 0.01) stages. IGF-I gene expression in male longissimus muscles was higher than that of females at all growth stages, except for the three month-old stage. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between males and females at any growth stage in expression of the MyoG gene. MyoG gene expression in male longissimus muscles tended to be higher than that of females at all growth stages, except for the six month-old stage. IGF-I gene expression was significantly and positively correlated with live weight (P < 0.01) and carcass weight (0.01< P < 0.05), and was non-significantly positively correlated with net meat weight (P > 0.05). In contrast, MyoG gene expression was non-significantly and positively correlated with live weight, carcass, and net meat weight (P > 0.05). Carcass traits showed highly significant positive correlations (P < 0.01). Furthermore, expressions of IGF-I and MyoG genes showed highly significant positive correlations (P < 0.01). We conclude that the expressions of IGF-I and MyoG genes are significantly and positively correlated with early muscle traits of Hu sheep.

The phylogeographic system survey of native sheep breeds in the eastern and southern Central Asia.

The genetic diversity and phylogenetic survey of native sheep breeds in the eastern and southern Central Asia were assessed in the present study. The clustering, principal components, structure and F statistics all demonstrate that the native sheep breeds in these regions be classified into two genetic groups: Mongolia-Tibetan sheep group and South-Southeast Asia sheep group. The Mongolia sheep group and the Tibetan sheep group had a certain degree of gene communication from the ancient times. In the present study we demonstrated that the Chinese native sheep populations belonged to Mongolia-Tibetan sheep group. However, the relationships among the sheep populations in Mongolia sheep group in China were not closely related to the geographical distance among sheep populations.

Genetic engineering of avian pathogenic E. coli to study the functions of FimH adhesin.

Adhesion of pathogen to host cells is an important prerequisite for successful colonization and establishment of the pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to examine the function of FimH adhesin in the adherence of avian pathogenic E. coli to porcine intestinal epithelial cell lines (IPEC-J2) and human lung epithelial cell line (A549) in an in vitro infection model. Three strains of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) and one strain of non-pathogenic E coli were used. The isogenic FimH mutants were constructed by lambda Red-mediated recombination system. The wild types and mutants strains were adhered to the host cells with different adherence patterns in certain incubation time. The results demonstrated that the adherence of the isogenic FimH mutants to the porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) were similar to those of wild types. However, the adherences of isogenic FimH mutants to human lung epithelial cells (A549) were significantly different from the wild types. A549 cell can be used as a type of cell model for colonization of the chicken extraintestinal. FimH offers a unique opportunity to investigate the role of the strength of adhesion independently from the many other factors that may affect surface colonization.

Genetic variation at the alpha-1-fucosyltransferase (FUT1) gene in Asian wild boar and Chinese and Western commercial pig breeds.

Escherichia coli F18 bacteria producing enterotoxins and/or shigatoxin (ETEC/STEC) are main pathogens that cause oedema disease and postweaning diarrhoea in piglets, and alpha-1-fucosyltransferase (FUT1) gene has been identified as a candidate gene for controlling the expression of ETEC F18 receptor. The genetic variations at nucleotide position 307 in open reading frame of FUT1 gene in one wild boar breed and 20 western commercial and Chinese native pig breeds were investigated by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The results showed that the genetic polymorphisms of the FUT1 locus were only detected in western pig breeds and the Chinese Taihu (including Meishan pig, Fengjing pig and Erhualian pig), Huai and Lingao pig breeds; only Duroc and Pietrain possessed the resistant AA genotype, while the wild boar and other Chinese pig breeds only presented the susceptible genotype GG. The results indicated that Chinese native pig breeds lack genetic factors providing resistance to ETEC F18 bacteria. The resistant allele to ETEC F18 might originate from European wild boar. It was inferred that oedema and postweaning diarrhoea caused by ETEC F18 have close relationship with the growth rate, which can explain why on the contrary Chinese native pig breeds have stronger resistance to oedema and postweaning diarrhoea in piglets compared with western pig breeds.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the scalp in a neonate.

We report an 11-day-old baby who presented with necrotizing fasciitis of the scalp from which Escherichia coli was cultured. Treatment consisted of administration of parenteral broad-spectrum antibiotics and debridement. Skin grafting of the resulting scalp defect was not permitted by the parents. The wound healed with scar tissue over 3 months.