Experimental Study on the Geometrical and Mechanical Properties of Goose Eggshells

ABSTRACT This paper examined the properties of goose eggshells to determine possible areas of improvement in egg transport and storage. First, we measured goose egg sizes and performed statistical tests, and found that the major axis, minor axis, and egg-shape index presented normal distribution. Eggshell thickness first increased and then decreased from the blunt end to the sharp end. Second, the shape of individual goose eggshell was measured using a 3D scanner. Volume equation, surface equation, and contour function of goose eggshell shape were obtained, exhibiting a highly symmetrical structure. Finally, goose eggs were compressed along their major and minor axes between two plates. Breaking strength was highly dependent on the shape index. A crack was found on the force point along the major axis of each goose egg.

Experimental Study on the Geometrical and Mechanical Properties of Goose Eggshells

ABSTRACT This paper examined the properties of goose eggshells to determine possible areas of improvement in egg transport and storage. First, we measured goose egg sizes and performed statistical tests, and found that the major axis, minor axis, and egg-shape index presented normal distribution. Eggshell thickness first increased and then decreased from the blunt end to the sharp end. Second, the shape of individual goose eggshell was measured using a 3D scanner. Volume equation, surface equation, and contour function of goose eggshell shape were obtained, exhibiting a highly symmetrical structure. Finally, goose eggs were compressed along their major and minor axes between two plates. Breaking strength was highly dependent on the shape index. A crack was found on the force point along the major axis of each goose egg.(AU)

A Genetic Map Between Gossypium hirsutum and the Brazilian Endemic G. mustelinum and Its Application to QTL Mapping.

Among the seven tetraploid cotton species, little is known about transmission genetics and genome organization in Gossypium mustelinum, the species most distant from the source of most cultivated cotton, G. hirsutum In this research, an F2 population was developed from an interspecific cross between G. hirsutum and G. mustelinum (HM). A genetic linkage map was constructed mainly using simple sequence repeat (SSRs) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) DNA markers. The arrangements of most genetic loci along the HM chromosomes were identical to those of other tetraploid cotton species. However, both major and minor structural rearrangements were also observed, for which we propose a parsimony-based model for structural divergence of tetraploid cottons from common ancestors. Sequences of mapped markers were used for alignment with the 26 scaffolds of the G. hirsutum draft genome, and showed high consistency. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of fiber elongation in advanced backcross populations derived from the same parents demonstrated the value of the HM map. The HM map will serve as a valuable resource for QTL mapping and introgression of G. mustelinum alleles into G. hirsutum, and help clarify evolutionary relationships between the tetraploid cotton genomes.

Direct DNA extraction method of an obligate parasitic fungus from infected plant tissue.

Powdery mildew and rust fungi are obligate parasites that cannot live without host organisms. They are difficult to culture in synthetic medium in the laboratory. Genomic DNA extraction is one of the basic molecular techniques used to study the genetic structure of populations. In this study, 2 different DNA extraction methods, Chelex-100 and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), were used to extract DNA from euonymus powdery mildew and Puccinia striiformis f. sp Tritici. Polymerase chain reaction was carried out with a race-specific-marker rDNA-internal transcribed spacer sequence. Both DNA extraction methods were compared and analyzed. The results showed that both Chelex-100 and CTAB were effective for extracting genomic DNA from infected plant tissue. However, less DNA was required for the Chelex-100 method than for the CTAB method, and the Chelex-100 method involved fewer steps, was simpler and safer, and did not require organic solvents compared to the CTAB method. DNA quality was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction, and the results showed that genomic DNA extracted using the Chelex-100 method was better than that using CTAB method, and was sufficient for studying the genetic structure of population.

Acanthopanax senticosus attenuates inflammation in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.

The dried roots of the plant Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) are used in traditional Oriental medicine and reportedly possess anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. However, whether AS has the same anti-inflammatory effect in vivo and the underlying mechanisms of this action remain unknown. In this study, we pretreated a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury with AS and found that the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were reduced and that inflammation in lung tissues was attenuated. To determine the mechanisms of these actions, we next assessed the effects of AS on the activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-kB pathway. We found that AS decreased the level of NF-kB and the DNA-binding activity of NF-kB. In summary, we found that AS attenuated the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the lung tissue of a mouse model of acute lung injury by inhibiting the NF-kB pathway.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-II nt587 polymorphism in Chinese Han patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

We aimed to explore the association between the onset of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and nt587 polymorphisms of the tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNFRII) gene in the Han population of Hunan Province, China. Correlation analysis was performed in a case-control study involving 100 AS cases and 100 healthy controls. The nt587 single nucleotide polymorphism of the TNFRII gene was examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The relationship between AS and the frequencies of genotypes and alleles in TNFRII nt587 were analyzed using the SPSS software. There were 43 cases with the TNFRII nt587 T/T genotype, 32 cases with the TNFRII nt587 T/G genotype, and 25 cases with the TNFRII nt587 G/G genotype. In the 100 healthy controls, 56 subjects had the TNFRII nt587 T/T genotype, 34 had the TNFRII nt587 T/G genotype, and 10 had the TNFRII nt587 G/G genotype. The G allele frequency of the AS group was significantly higher (χ(2) = 8.734, P = 0.003) than that in the control group (41.0 vs 27.0%). The odds ratio (OR) in AS cases with the TNFRII nt587 G/G genotype was 3.256, which was obviously higher than in those with T/G (OR = 1.226) and T/T (OR = 1.0) genotype. The polymorphism at position nt587 of the TNFRII gene was found to be associated with AS, and the TNFRII nt587 G allele may play an important role in AS susceptibility. The TNFRII nt587 G/G genotype may increase the risk of developing AS in the Hunan population.

Genetic variants of the endothelial NO synthase gene (eNOS) may confer increased risk of sporadic congenital heart disease.

The endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) enzyme is expressed during the early stages of cardiogenesis and plays an important role in normal heart development. Genetic variations of eNOS G894T have been shown to influence individual susceptibility to some phenotypes of congenital heart disease (CHD) in different populations. We conducted a case-control study comprised of 945 CHD patients and 972 non-CHD individuals in a Chinese population. Two functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (T-786C: rs2070744 and G894T: rs1799983) and one tagging SNP (rs7830) were evaluated in our study, and we assessed their association with the risk of CHD. Compared with the rs7830 CC/AC genotypes, the eNOS rs7830 AA genotype showed a significantly increased risk of CHD (adjusted odds radio (OR) = 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI = 1.13-1.85). A stratified analysis was performed and showed that the association between the rs7830 AA genotype and CHD risk was stronger in patients with perimembranous ventricular septal defects (adjusted OR = 1.62, 95%CI = 1.20-2.20). Our results suggest that the eNOS rs7830 polymorphism may contribute to the susceptibility of sporadic CHD in a Chinese population.

Effect of exogenous gibberellin on reserve accumulation during the seed filling stage of oilseed rape.

Exogenous gibberellins (GAs) are widely applied to increase crop yields, with knowledge about the physiological functioning and biochemistry mechanisms of these phytohormones improving; however, information remains limited about the effect of GAs on seed filling. In this study, the siliques (containing the seeds) of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) were treated with GA3 at 3 stages of seed filling. We confirmed that GA3 regulates the deposition of storage reserves in developing seeds. The percentage of crude fat in the seeds increased during the early stage, but remained stable during the middle and late stages. In comparison, the percentage of total protein decreased during the early and middle stages, but significantly increased during the late stage. In addition, Q-PCR was employed to analyze the expression level of related genes in response to GA3. It was found that the expression of WRI and ABI3 transcription factors corresponded to crude fat content and total protein content, respectively. The expression of storage reserve related genes DGAT, MCAT, SUC2, and GPT was consistent with crude fat content, whereas the expression of Napin corresponded to total protein content. The results of this study indicate that exogenous GA3 has a different effect on storage reserve deposition in seed during different stages of seed filling, and the effect might be achieved via changing the expression of related genes.

Novel functional magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers for assessing response to therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The established and adapted image biomarkers based on size for tumor burden measurement continue to be applied to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as size measurement can easily be used in clinical practice. However, in the setting of novel targeted therapies and liver directed treatments, simple tumor anatomical changes can be less informative and usually appear later than biological changes. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a potential to be a promising technique for assessment of HCC response to therapy. In this review, we discuss various functional MRI biomarkers that play an increasingly important role in evaluation of HCC response after treatment.

Single-nucleotide polymorphism of the pri-miR-34b/c gene is not associated with susceptibility to congenital heart disease in the Han Chinese population.

Recent evidence has shown that the microRNA polymorphism may play an important role in the susceptibility to congenital heart disease (CHD). A potentially functional SNP rs4938723 (T>C) in the promoter region of pri-miR-34b/c might affect transcription factor GATA binding and therefore pri-miR-34b/c expression. We genotyped the pri-miR-34b/c polymorphism in a case-control study of 590 patients and 672 controls in a Han Chinese population and assessed the effects of the pri-miR-34b/c polymorphism on CHD susceptibility by TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. There was no association between the pri-miR-34b/c polymorphism and the risk of CHD in both genotype and allelic frequency. In a subsequent analysis of the association between this polymorphism and CHD classification, there was still no significant difference in both genotype and allelic frequency. Our results suggest that the pri-miR-34b/c polymorphism rs4938723 is not associated with susceptibility to sporadic CHD in the Han Chinese population.

MicroRNA-199a-3p is downregulated in gastric carcinomas and modulates cell proliferation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate the translation of targeted mRNAs. An increasing amount of evidence indicates that miRNAs play important role in cancer pathogenesis, apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Recently, miRNA-199a has been shown to be involved in many human cancers, although the role of miRNA-199a-3p in gastric cancer has not yet been evaluated. In the present study, the expression of miRNA-199a-3p was found to be significantly downregulated in human gastric cancer tissues and cells. miRNA-199a-3p induced anti-proliferation effects on human gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, using quantitative RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) and luciferase reporter assays, mTOR was identified as a direct target gene of miRNA-199a-3p that is downregulated by it. In conclusion, our findings suggest that miRNA-199a-3p is associated with human gastric cancer through its ability to decrease cancer cell proliferation and target the mTOR signaling pathway, and, therefore, may provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of human gastric cancer.

Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of endophytes from Scapania verrucosa Heeg.

We evaluated the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of endophytes isolated from Scapania verrucosa Heeg., which belongs to the liverwort class. A total of 49 endophytic fungi were isolated from S. verrucosa and classified into seven genera and one family in our previous study. In this study, the cytotoxic activity of the endophytes was assessed using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, seven of which showed potent toxicity against the brine shrimp with 50% lethal concentration values less than 20 µg/mL. T-30 was the most toxic, with a 50% lethal concentration value of 7.15 µg/mL. Moreover, T-27 exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with minimal inhibitory concentrations below 0.25 and 4 mg/mL, which can inhibit the growth of two standard strains - ATCC 25923 (methicillin-sensitive S. aureus) and ATCC 43300 (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) - in a time-dependent manner, respectively. These results suggest that endophytes in S. verrucosa are the sources for the production of natural bioactive products and thus warrant further investigation.

Bottom-up assembly of RNA nanoparticles containing phi29 motor pRNA to silence the asthma STAT5b gene.

Activation of the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b) is a key event in the development of asthma. The potent ability of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit the expression of STAT5b mRNA has provided a new class of therapeutics for asthma. However, efficient delivery of siRNAs remains a key obstacle to their successful application. A targeted intracellular delivery approach for siRNA to specific cell types would be highly desirable. We used packaging RNA (pRNA), a component of the bacteriophage phi29-packaging motor, to deliver STAT5b siRNA to asthmatic spleen lymphocytes. This pRNA was able to spontaneously carry siRNA/STAT5b and aptamer/CD4, which is a ligand to CD4 molecule. Based on RT-PCR data, the pRNA dimer effectively inhibited STAT5b gene mRNA expression of asthmatic spleen lymphocytes, without the need for additional transfections. We conclude that the pRNA dimer carrying both siRNA and aptamer can deliver functional siRNA to cells; possibly, the aptamer acts as a ligand to interact with specific receptors. The pRNAs were evaluated with a CCK-8 kit and were found to have little cytotoxicity. We conclude that pRNA as a novel nanovehicle for RNA worth further study.

Development and characterization of 70 novel microsatellite markers for the sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus).

The sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) is an important item in Asian cuisine. It is currently produced through aquaculture, especially in China, after being overexploited in the wild in the 1990s. We isolated 70 novel polymorphic microsatellite loci using an enrichment-colony hybridization protocol. All loci were characterized in 48 individuals from a natural population in Rongcheng (Shandong, China) using genomic DNA isolated from muscle tissue. The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 17 (mean 7.0), and the observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.0010 to 1.0000 and from 0.2125 to 0.9477, respectively. Thirty-one of the 70 loci exhibited departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. These microsatellite markers should be useful resources for population genetic studies and for molecular marker-assisted breeding of A. japonicus.

Genetic variation in sympatric Ascaris populations from humans and pigs in China.

It has recently been shown using genetic markers that Ascaris in humans and pigs in Central America comprise reproductively isolated populations. We present a similar analysis for a region of China in which close association between pigs and humans has been the norm for thousands of years, and agricultural practices will result in frequent exposure to eggs from both sources. DNA fragments from selected regions of mitochondrial and ribosomal DNA were amplified by PCR and allelic forms identified following digestion with a panel of restriction enzymes, using DNA from a total of 115 individual worms from both people and pigs from 2 neighbouring villages. Significant frequency differences in both mtDNA haplotypes and the rDNA spacer were found between the 2 host-associated populations, indicating that they represented reproductively isolated populations. Mitochondrial haplotype frequencies were different from those observed in Guatemala and also from other Asian Ascaris populations, suggesting low levels of gene flow between populations. However, we found no evidence for significant heterogeneity in the genetic composition of Ascaris infrapopulations in either humans or pigs, possibly indicative of agricultural practices in China which have resulted in a random distribution of alleles within the parasite populations.