Genome-wide scans for selection signatures in indigenous chickens reveal candidate genes associated with local adaptation.

Population growth and climate change pose challenges to the sustainability of poultry farming. The emphasis on high-yield traits in commercialized breeds has led to a decline in their adaptability. Chicken varieties adapted to the local environment, possessing traits that facilitate adaptation to climate change, such as disease resistance and tolerance to extreme weather conditions, can improve hybridization outcomes. In this study, we conducted an analysis of the population structure and genetic diversity of 110 chickens representing indigenous breeds from southern China and two different commercial breeds. Further, we performed comparative population genomics, utilizing nucleotide diversity and fixation statistics, to characterize genomic features of natural selection and to identify unique genetic traits and potential selection markers developed by indigenous breeds after adapting to the local environment. Results based on genetic diversity and population structure analyses showed that indigenous varieties exhibited high levels of genetic diversity. Commercial breeds that have been indigenously bred demonstrated higher levels of genetic diversity than those that have not, and breeds with different selection practices displayed significant differences in genetic structure. Additionally, we further searched for potential genomic regions in native chicken ecotypes, uncovering several candidate genes related to ecological adaptations affecting local breeds, such as IKBKB, S1PR1, TSHR, IL1RAPL1 and AMY2A, which are involved in disease resistance, heat tolerance, immune regulation and behavioral traits. This work provides important insights into the genomic characterization of ecotypes of native chicken in southern China. The identification of candidate genes associated with traits such as disease resistance, heat tolerance, immunomodulation, and behavioral traits is a significant outcome. These candidate genes may contribute to the understanding of the molecular basis of the adaptation of the southern native chicken to the local environment. It is recommended that these genes be integrated into chicken breeding programs to enhance sustainable agriculture and promote effective conservation and utilization strategies.

Comparison of cytological adequacy in ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules with different numbers of needle passes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the cytological adequacy rates of different needle passes in ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules and, thus, to help establish the criterion for selecting the number of needle passes according to the characteristics of thyroid nodules. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-center and randomized prospective study involved 207 consecutive patients with 240 solid or predominantly solid thyroid nodules. These nodules were randomly divided into a 1-pass group, a 2-pass group, and a 3-pass group. Then the nodules were sent for cytopathological diagnosis, and cytological results were classified according to the Bethesda classification. Bethesda I was defined as inadequate, and Bethesda Ⅱ-Ⅵ were defined as adequate. Then the cytological adequacy rates of different groups were compared. RESULTS: In total, 221 nodule specimens were considered as adequate and 19 nodule specimens inadequate. The overall adequacy rate was 92.1%. However, there were no significant differences among the 1, 2, and 3-pass groups in terms of adequacy rates (91.3%, 92.5%, and 92.5%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The number of needle passes does not significantly affect the cytological adequacy in ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of solid or predominantly solid thyroid nodules. The cytological adequacy of one-needle pass is comparable to those of two and three-needle passes.

[Effect of Kruppel-like factor 2 on the migration of human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) on the migration of human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). Methods: Cultured human LSEC were infected with different lenti-viruses to overexpress or suppress KLF2 expression (LV5-KLF2 and LV3-shKLF2, respectively), the infection efficacies were examined by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis.Transwell migration assay was used to investigate the role of KLF2 on the migration of LSEC.The mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively.The expression and phosphorylation of Src, P38 MAPK, and P44/42 MAPK were detected by Western blot. Results: The up-regulation of KLF2 expression dramatically inhibited migration of treated LSEC, compared with LV5-NC and WT control cells, fewer LV5-KLF2 cells migrated to the lower side of the filter after 12 h [ (35.6±1.4), (71.3±2.4) and (69.3±1.6), P<0.001 for all comparisons]. In contrast, the down-regulation of KLF2 expression promoted the migration of LSEC, more LV3-KLF2 cells migrated to the lower side of the filter compared with the LV3-NC and WT control cells [(189.5±5.4), (83.4±2.5) and (82.2±3.4), P<0.001 for all comparisons]. Furthermore, up-regulation of KLF2 reduced the mRNA and protein expression level of VEGFR2, while down-regulation of KLF2 significantly increased its expression in LSEC.Additionally, up-regulation of KLF2 inhibited the phosphorylation of Src, P38 MAPK, and P44/42 MAPK pathway in LSEC, whereas down-regulation of KLF2 promoted the phosphorylation of those signaling pathway proteins. Conclusions: KLF2 may inhibit the migration of human LSEC through the Src/ MAPK signaling pathway.

Effects of oral erythromycin on esophageal motility in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Fifteen patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were included in the study. Esophageal motility, including esophageal mean transit time (MTT), residual fraction (RF), and retrograde index (RI), was evaluated and calculated by the radionuclide esophageal transit test (RETT). The baseline study was performed before the oral erythromycin therapy. After a 2-week course treatment, the subjects underwent a second study. The results showed that (A) in the baseline study, 93% (14/15) of NIDDM patients had a longer MTT, 67% (10/15) had a higher RF and 80% (12/15) had a higher RI; and (B) after treatment with erythromycin, 73% (11/15) of the patients had a shorter MTT and a lower RF, and 60% (9/15) of the patients had a lower RI. We conclude that (1) most of the NIDDM patients had esophageal motility disorders and (2) a 2-week oral erythromycin therapy can improve diabetic esophagoparesis, as evaluated by non-invasive REET.

Effect of oral erythromycin on patients with diabetic gastroparesis.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal gastrointestinal motility is a well recognized complication of diabetes mellitus, and disordered gastric emptying may hamper glycemic control. The objects of this study were to investigate the effect of oral erythromycin on gastric emptying and to evaluate the effect of corrected gastric emptying on glycemic control in patients with diabetic gastroparesis. METHODS: Twenty patients of Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus with typical symptoms of gastroparesis and delayed solid phase gastric emptying were studied. There were 18 males and 2 females, aged 49 to 72 years. Erythromycin (erythromycin estolate) was given orally at a dose of 250 mg, 3 times daily, 30 minutes before each meal. Radionuclide-labelled solid phase gastric emptying and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were studied after one day of erythromycin therapy, and again after 2 weeks of the therapy. The half time of gastric emptying (GETt1/2) represented the time needed for 50 percent of the initial radioactivity to leave the stomach, and was used to express the gastric emptying status. RESULTS: The GETt1/2 decreased from 198.0 +/- 58.9 minutes at baseline to 139.1 +/- 67.6 minutes following one day of erythromycin therapy (p < 0.01), and to 137.1 +/- 71.2 minutes after two weeks of treatment (vs. baseline p < 0.01). The FBS decreased from 159.0 +/- 40.2 mg/dl at baseline to 149.0 +/- 38.5 mg/dl following one day of therapy (p = 0.12, NS), and to 139.2 +/- 39.8 mg/dl after two weeks of treatment (vs. baseline p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that erythromycin is an effective prokinetic agent for diabetic gastroparesis, and that corrected gastric emptying may improve glycemic control.

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric emptying in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Forty-four patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were included in this study. Radionuclide-labelled solid meals were used to calculate gastric emptying times (GETs). The carbon-14 urea breath test (14C-UBT) was used to diagnose Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection. The patients were separated into groups according to the following two criteria: (1) HP infection was diagnosed on the basis of a 14C-UBT value of > or = 1.5; (2) the GET was defined as abnormal when it was > or = 117.1 min. The results showed that 61% (27/44) of the NIDDM patients had an HP infection, and 59% (26/44) had an abnormal GET. The incidence of abnormal GET in positive 14C-UBT patients (62%) was higher than that in negative 14C-UBT patients (56%). Similarly, the incidence of positive 14C-UBT in abnormal GET cases (62%) was higher than that in normal GET cases (56%). However, according to chi-square tests the differences were not significant. In conclusion, no significant relationship between HP infection and GET was found in patients with NIDDM.

Tumor immunity generated in the course of regression of v-src-induced sarcomas.

Previous studies have indicated that the regression versus progression of v-src-DNA-induced sarcomas is dependent on chicken line. As a first step in analyzing the role of tumor immunity as a determinant of this line dependence, experiments were undertaken to ascertain whether an antisarcoma immune response is generated in the course of sarcoma growth in TK chickens, a regressor line. To assay for this response, test TK chickens in which v-src-induced wing web sarcomas had regressed, as well as control TK chickens that had not been exposed to v-src, were challenged in protocols known to yield v-src-dependent sarcoma formation and monitored for challenge sarcoma growth. Compared with the control chickens, the test chickens showed a significant resistance to the sarcomagenic challenge. These results raise the possibility that the antisarcoma response that is inducible in regressor lines, as demonstrated here in terms of a protective effect against a subsequent sarcomagenic challenge, may also underlie the regression of v-src-induced primary sarcomas.