Genome-Wide Association Studies Identify the Loci for 5 Exterior Traits in a Large White × Minzhu Pig Population

As one of the main breeding selection criteria, external appearance has special economic importance in the hog industry. In this study, an Illumina Porcine SNP60 BeadChip was used to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 605 pigs of the F₂ generation derived from a Large White × Minzhu intercross. Traits under study were abdominal circumference (AC), body height (BH), body length (BL), cannon bone circumference (CBC), chest depth (CD), chest width (CW), rump circumference (RC), rump width (RW), scapula width (SW), and waist width (WW). A total of 138 SNPs (the most significant being MARC0033464) on chromosome 7 were found to be associated with BH, BL, CBC, and RC (P-value  = 4.15E-6). One SNP on chromosome 1 was found to be associated with CD at genome-wide significance levels. The percentage phenotypic variance of these significant SNPs ranged from 0.1–25.48%. Moreover, a conditional analysis revealed that the significant SNPs were derived from a single quantitative trait locus (QTL) and indicated additional chromosome-wide significant association for 25 SNPs on SSC4 (BL, CBC) and 9 SNPs on SSC7 (RC). Linkage analysis revealed two complete linkage disequilibrium haplotype blocks that contained seven and four SNPs, respectively. In block 1, the most significant SNP, MARC0033464, was present. Annotations from pig reference genome suggested six genes (GRM4, HMGA1, NUDT3, RPS10, SPDEF and PACSIN1) in block 1 (495 kb), and one gene (SCUBE3) in block 3 (124 kb). Functional analysis indicated that HMGA1 and SCUBE3 genes are the potential genes controlling BH, BL, and RC in pigs, with an application in breeding programs. We screened several candidate intervals and genes based on SNP location and gene function, and predicted their function using bioinformatics analyses.     

针刺测力仪及脉象仪在针灸治疗中的应用

目的设计一套在体实时监测针刺针体受力情况和同步观察针刺前后脉象的系统。方法利用设计的针刺测力仪及脉象仪采集针刺时针体受力的力学信号及人体脉象的信号并将这些信号传换成计算机能识别的信号,把脉象的信号与针刺信号相对应运用软件进行分析整理。结果针刺前后脉象有比较明显的变化。结论利用脉象仪和针刺测力仪能够观察针刺前后脉象的变化,将为针刺选穴,配穴及疗效监测提供有效的手段。     

Rhein Protects against Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders through Liver X Receptor-Mediated Uncoupling Protein 1 Upregulation in Brown Adipose Tissue

Liver X receptors (LXRs) play important roles in regulating cholesterol homeostasis, and lipid and energy metabolism. Therefore, LXR ligands could be used for the management of metabolic disorders. We evaluated rhein, a natural compound from Rheum palmatum L., as an antagonist for LXRs and investigated its anti-obesity mechanism in high-fat diet-fed mice. Surface plasmon resonance assays were performed to examine the direct binding of rhein to LXRs. LXR target gene expression was assessed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HepG2 hepatic cells in vitro. C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet were orally administered with rhein for 4 weeks, and then the expression levels of LXR-related genes were analyzed. Rhein bound directly to LXRs. The expression levels of LXR target genes were suppressed by rhein in 3T3-L1 and HepG2 cells. In white adipose tissue, muscle and liver, rhein reprogrammed the expression of LXR target genes related to adipogenesis and cholesterol metabolism. Rhein activated uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression in brown adipose tissue (BAT) in wild-type mice, but did not affect UCP1 expression in LXR knockout mice. In HIB-1B brown adipocytes, rhein activated the UCP1 gene by antagonizing the repressive effect of LXR on UCP1 expression. This study suggests that rhein may protect against obesity and related metabolic disorders through LXR antagonism and regulation of UCP1 expression in BAT.     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Diversity Associated with <i>Olea europaea</i> L. Growing in Yunnan Province,Southwestern China

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most important and widely cultivated fruit trees, with high economic, ecological, cultural and scientific value. China began introducing and cultivating olive in the 1960s, and Yunnan Province is one of the main growing areas. Improving the cultivation and productivity of this tree crop species is an important challenge. Olive is a typical mycotrophic species and the potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for this plant is well recognized; nevertheless, studies of olive AMF in China are still very limited. Roots and rhizosphere soils of olive were sampled from five representative growing sites in the Yunnan Province of China to investigate the AMF colonization status in the root systems, the AMF community in the olive orchards and the edaphic factors influencing the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) parameters. Root samples of olive trees from different growing sites generally showed AMF colonization, suggesting that autochthonous AMF manifest a high efficiency in colonizing the roots of olive plants. The spore density on the five sites ranged from 81.6 to 350 spores per 20 g soil. Twenty-three AMF species from 9 genera were identified in total, and Glomeraceae was the dominant family. The findings of our study suggested a high AMF diversity harbored by olive growing in different areas of the Yunnan Province, Southwestern China. Furthermore, the hyphal colonization in roots positively correlated with soil pH and EC. The arbuscule colonization in olive roots negatively correlated with soil pH, EC, OM, TN, TP and AN. The spore density positively correlated with OM, TN, AN, AP and sand content. Finally, the Shannon index of AMF in the rhizosphere soil positively correlated with the clay content, but negatively correlated with soil pH, TN and silt content. The high diversity of autochthonous AMF in Yunnan is promising for screening AMF isolates for utilization in the efficient cultivation of this crop.