RESEARCH : Open Access ; A synonymous mutation of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene is associated with growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality in rabbits

( Wen-chao Liu ),( Song-jia Lai ) 한국동물자원과학회(구 한국축산학회) 2016 한국축산학회지 Vol.58 No.1

Background: Uncoupling proteins 2 (UCP2) plays an important role in energy regulation, previous studies suggested that UCP2 is an excellent candidate gene for human obesity and growth-related traits in cattle and chicks. The current study was designed to detect the genetic variation of UCP2 gene, and to explore the association between polymorphism of UCP2 gene and growth, carcass and meat quality traits in rabbits. Results: A synonymous mutation in exon 1 and four variants in the first intron of the UCP2 gene were identified by using PCR-sequencing. The synonymous mutation c.72G>A was subsequently genotyped by MassArray system (Sequenom iPLEXassay) in 248 samples from three meat rabbit breeds (94 Ira rabbits, 83 Champagne rabbits, and 71 Tianfu black rabbits). Association analysis suggested that the individuals with AA and AG genotypes showed greater 70 d body weight (P < 0.05), 84 d body weight (P < 0.01), ADG from 28 to 84 days of age (P < 0.05), eviscerated weight (P < 0.01), semi-eviscerated weight (P < 0.01) and semi-eviscerated slaughter percentage (P < 0.05), respectively. Additionally, the individuals with AA and AG genotype had a lower pH value of longissimus muscle (P < 0.01) and hind leg muscle (P < 0.05) after slaughter 24 h. Conclusions: These findings indicated that UCP2 could be a candidate gene that associated with growth performance, body composition and meat quality in rabbits, and this would contribute to advancements in meat rabbit breeding practice.

User Identification Design by Fusion of Face Recognition and Speaker Recognition

Chao-Yu Lin,Kai-Tai Song,Yi-Wen Chen,Shuo-Cheng Chien,Sin-Horng Chen,Chen-Yu Chiang,Jyh-Her Yang,Yi-Chiao Wu,Tzu-Jui Liu 제어로봇시스템학회 2012 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2012 No.10

Intelligent human-robot interface helps a mobile robot to extract external information and interact with a user. User identification information allows a robot to generate appropriate behaviors and make personalized human-robot interaction (PHRI) more natural and safe. Most of service robots move around in various application settings, and biometric features always change during relative movements. In this work, a fusion recognition system based on face and speaker classifiers is designed to achieve the user recognition in various environments. We propose a method to fuse face and speech recognition results based on the concept of confidence indices. Through the derived confidence indices, the system combines the two classifiers and gives improved recognition results. Experiments on a laboratory home service robot show that person recognition rates in 15 environmental situations all outperform those of using single modality.

Plasma metabolites associated with physiological and biochemical indexes indicate the effect of caging stress on mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Zheng Chao,Wu Yan,Liang Zhen Hua,Pi Jin Song,Cheng Shi Bin,Wei Wen Zhuo,Liu Jing Bo,Lu Li Zhi,Zhang Hao 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.2

Objective: Cage rearing has critical implications for the laying duck industry because it is convenient for feeding and management. However, caging stress is a type of chronic stress that induces maladaptation. Environmental stress responses have been extensively studied, but no detailed information is available about the comprehensive changes in plasma metabolites at different stages of caging stress in ducks. We designed this experiment to analyze the effects of caging stress on performance parameters and oxidative stress indexes in ducks. Methods: Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) was used to determine the changes in metabolites in duck plasma at 5 (CR5), 10 (CR10), and 15 (CR15) days after cage rearing and traditional breeding (TB). The associated pathways of differentially altered metabolites were analyzed using Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) database. Results: The results of this study indicate that caging stress decreased performance parameters, and the plasma total superoxide dismutase levels were increased in the CR10 group compared with the other groups. In addition, 1,431 metabolites were detected. Compared with the TB group, 134, 381, and 190 differentially produced metabolites were identified in the CR5, CR10, and CR15 groups, respectively. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) show that the selected components sufficiently distinguish the TB group and CR10 group. KEGG analysis results revealed that the differentially altered metabolites in duck plasma from the CR5 and TB groups were mainly associated with ovarian steroidogenesis, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and phenylalanine metabolism. Conclusion: In this study, the production performance, blood indexes, number of metabolites and PCA were compared to determine effect of the caging stress stage on ducks. We inferred from the experimental results that caging-stressed ducks were in the sensitive phase in the first 5 days after caging, caging for approximately 10 days was an important transition phase, and then the duck continually adapted. Objective: Cage rearing has critical implications for the laying duck industry because it is convenient for feeding and management. However, caging stress is a type of chronic stress that induces maladaptation. Environmental stress responses have been extensively studied, but no detailed information is available about the comprehensive changes in plasma metabolites at different stages of caging stress in ducks. We designed this experiment to analyze the effects of caging stress on performance parameters and oxidative stress indexes in ducks.Methods: Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) was used to determine the changes in metabolites in duck plasma at 5 (CR5), 10 (CR10), and 15 (CR15) days after cage rearing and traditional breeding (TB). The associated pathways of differentially altered metabolites were analyzed using Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) database.Results: The results of this study indicate that caging stress decreased performance parameters, and the plasma total superoxide dismutase levels were increased in the CR10 group compared with the other groups. In addition, 1,431 metabolites were detected. Compared with the TB group, 134, 381, and 190 differentially produced metabolites were identified in the CR5, CR10, and CR15 groups, respectively. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) show that the selected components sufficiently distinguish the TB group and CR10 group. KEGG analysis results revealed that the differentially altered metabolites in duck plasma from the CR5 and TB groups were mainly associated with ovarian steroidogenesis, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and phenylalanine metabolism.Conclusion: In this study, the production performance, blood indexes, number of metabolites and PCA were compared to determine effect of the caging stress stage on ducks. We inferred from the experimental results that caging-stressed ducks were in the sensitive phase in the first 5 days after caging, caging for approximately 10 days was an important transition phase, and then the duck continually adapted.

Effects of Variants in Proopiomelanocortin and Neuropeptide Y Genes on Growth, Carcass, and Meat Quality Traits in Rabbits

Liu, Wen-Chao,Chen, Shi-Yi,Jia, Xian-Bo,Wang, Jie,Lai, Song-Jia Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.5

Appetite-related neuropeptides proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and Neuropeptide Y (NPY) are essential for regulating feeding behavior and energy homeostasis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of variants in POMC and NPY genes on growth, carcass and meat quality traits in rabbits. A total of six SNPs were identified for POMC (n = 2) and NPY (n = 4) genes by direct sequencing. Three SNPs were subsequently genotyped by using MassArray system (Sequenom iPLEXassay) in 235 individuals, which belong to three meat rabbit breeds, including 93 Ira rabbits; 81 Champagne rabbits and 61 Tianfu black rabbits. The SNP c.112-12G>T was in intron-exon boundaries (intron 1) of POMC gene, and the association analysis showed that individuals with TT genotype had a greater 84 d body weight (BW84), eviscerated weight and semi-eviscerated weight than those with GT genotype (p<0.05); the TT individuals were also higher than those GG in the ripe meat ratio (RMR) (p<0.05). The g.1778G>C SNP, which was in complete linkage with other three SNPs (g.1491G>A, g.1525G>T and g.1530C>T) in intron 1 of NPY gene, was significantly correlated with eviscerated slaughter percentage and semi-eviscerated slaughter percentage in rabbits, and the individuals with CC genotype had a better performance than CG genotype (p<0.05). These findings would provide primary clues for the biological roles of POMC and NPY underlying the rabbit growth-related traits.

Interventional Therapy for Renal Artery Pseudoaneurysms

Ji, Wen-Bin,Wang, Wei-Zheng,Sun, Song,Mi, Yu-Cheng,Xu, Qiong,Chen, Yi-Er,Yang, Song,Tao, Dan,Xu, Wei,Xu, Chao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.4

The aim of this study was to explore the angiographic diagnosis and embolization therapy for renal artery pseudoaneurysms due to acute urinary tract hemorrhage after conservative medical management failed. Seven out of ten cases had fever symptoms after the kidney surgery. The pseudoaneurysms were treated with gelatin sponge and (or) spring coil and the majority demonstrated rapid blockage of hemorrhage. Angiography diagnosis and trans catheter embolization are rapid, safe and effective methods for diagnosis and treatment of renal artery pseudoaneurysms.

A Tissue-Engineered Conduit for Urinary Diversion Using Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Bladder Acellular Matrix

Yunhe Xiong,Wen-Biao Liao,Sixing Yang,Lingchao Meng,Chao Song 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2015 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.12 No.3

Ileal conduits are commonly used in bladder cancer treatment and in pediatric patients who require urinary diversion surgeries. We constructed a tissue-engineered conduit using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and a bladder acellular matrix (BAM) and transplanted it into rabbits for urinary diversion to evaluate the feasibility of its clinical application. Rabbit BMSCs were isolated, expanded in vitro, and were then treated with a conditional medium for 3 weeks, allowing the BMSCs to transform into urothelium-like cells. These cells were seeded onto BAM and cultured for another week. The cell-matrix grafts were then sewn into a conduit approximately 4 cm in length and 1 cm in diameter and were implanted as conduits for urinary diversion in 12 male rabbits. Rabbits were sacrificed at 1, 2, and 4 week after operation. Histologic examinations were performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining and tissue structures were evaluated by using immunohistochemistry. BMSCs can transform into urothelium-like cells that express the urothelium-specific proteins uroplakin 1A (UPK1A), cytokeratin 7 (CK7), and cytokeratin 13 (CK13). These cells are able to generate epithelial coverage in the conduit lumen based on BAM. Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining with AE1/AE3, UPK1A, and tight junction protein 1 (ZO-1), indicating the presence of mature and functional epithelial cells on the lumen of the conduit. BMSCs may represent a new source cell for urinary tissue engineering, and it is feasible to construct a conduit with transformed BMSCs and BAM for urinary diversion in rabbits.

Endometrial Intraepithelial Neoplasia (EIN) in Endometrial Biopsy Specimens Categorized by the 1994 World Health Organization Classification for Endometrial Hyperplasia

Li, Xiao-Chao,Song, Wen-Jing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

Our study is to determine the presence of endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) in endometrial biopsy specimens classified by the 1994 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for endometrial hyperplasia. Endometrial biopsy specimens that were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) were examined and categorized by the WHO 1994 criteria and for the presence of EIN as defined by the International Endometrial Collaborative Group. ${\beta}$-catenin expression was examined by immunohistochemistry. A total of 474 cases of HE stained endometrial biopsy tissues were reviewed. There were 379 cases of simple endometrial hyperplasia, 16 with simple atypical endometrial hyperplasia, 48 with complex endometrial hyperplasia, and 31 with complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia. Among the 474 endometrial hyperplasia cases, there were 46 (9.7%) that were classified as EIN. Of these 46 cases, 11(2.9%) were classified as simple endometrial hyperplasia, 1 (6.3%) as simple atypical endometrial hyperplasia, 6 (12.5%) as complex endometrial hyperplasia, and 28 (90.3%) as complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia. EIN was associated with a higher rate of ${\beta}$-catenin positivity than endometrium classified as benign hyperplasia (72% vs. 22.5%, respectively, P<0.001), but a lower rate than endometrial adenocarcinoma (72% vs. 96.2%, respectively, P<0.001). In benign endometrial hyperplasia, high ${\beta}$-catenin expression was noted in the cell membranes, whereas in EIN and endometrial adenocarcinoma high expression was noted in the cytoplasm. In conclusion, EIN is more accurate than the WHO classification for the diagnosis of precancerous lesions of the endometrium.

Experimental Study on Bond Strength of Deformed Steel Bars in Recycled Glass Aggregate Concrete

Fengchi Wang,Xingming Wu,Chao Guo,Wen Song 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.22 No.9

This paper reports on an investigation of Glass Aggregate (GA) concrete bond behavior. Nine pullout tests were carried out on 16- mm-diameter deformed steel bars eccentrically embedded in GA concrete; rectangular semi beam specimens were designed using equivalent mix proportions with Glass Coarse Aggregate (GCA) and Glass Fine Aggregate (GFA) at replacement levels of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Analysis of the measured bond-slip relationships indicates mechanisms of bond resistance in the GA similar to Natural Aggregate (NA) concrete and was used to acquire the most accurate and conservative predictions of measured bond strengths. The failure mode of NA and GCA concretes’ bonds with rebar is a split failure, whereas the failure mode of GFA concrete’s bond with rebar changes from a split to a pullout failure with increasing GFA replacement levels. The normalized ultimate bond strengths of the GFA concretes are higher than those of the GCA concretes and the normalized ultimate bond strengths of GCA concrete and the GA replacement level relationship are almost linear. The test results show that reasonable GFA replacement levels can improve the bond behavior of concrete with steel rebar.

Damage Evolution and Integrity Assessment of Jointed Rock Mass Based on Synthetic Rock Mass Approach

Dan Huang,Xiaoqing Li,Wen-chao Song 대한토목학회 2023 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.27 No.5

The integrity coefficient Kv of bed rock is one of the important approaches to evaluate the stability of engineering rock mass, but this parameter is difficult in frequent field tests. The integrity coefficient is the quantitative index for evaluating the complete deformation of rock mass, while the damage variable represents the level of damage of the jointed rock mass, and both have similar physical meanings and represent the degree of deterioration of surrounding rock. Damage variables and damage constitutive models were constructed based on Weibull distribution damage model and Synthetic Rock Mass (SRM) model. The relationship between damage variables and numerical calculation and damage constitutive curves of different weathered granite rocks in Hongtuzhang tunnel was calculated. A new method for evaluating integrity coefficient of rock mass is proposed.

Relative Abundance of a Vector of Scrub Typhus, Leptotrombidium sialkotense, in Southern Yunnan Province, China

Yan Lv,Xian-Guo Guo,Dao-chao Jin,Wen-Yu Song,Rong Fan,Cheng-Fu Zhao,Zhi-Wei Zhang,Ke-Yu Mao,Yun-Ji Zou,Zhi-Hua Yang 대한기생충학ㆍ열대의학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.58 No.2

The chigger mite Leptotrombidium sialkotense is one of the 6 main vectors of scrub typhus in China. Before present study, L. sialkotense was found in some parts of Hunan province, China with a narrow geographical distribution. During field investigation 2016-2017, we found L. sialkotense in Jingha, southern Yunnan, China. Of 15 small mammal host species, L. sialkotense were collected from 6 species of the hosts. Rattus brunneusculus was a dominant host of L. sialkotense, from which 98.3% of the mites were collected. The chigger mite showed a relatively high infestation prevalence (PM=11.7%) and mean abundance (MA=0.5) in comparison with the rest 5 host species. These results reveal a certain host specificity of L. sialkotense to a rat R. brunneusculus. The mite L. sialkotense showed an aggregated distribution on the host (P<0.05). A positive correlation observed between L. sialkotense and the body length of hosts. There was a positive interspecific association between L. sialkotense and 2 other dominant vectors, L. deliense and L. scutellare.