New Evidence of Alleles (V199I and G52S) at the PRKAG3 (RN) Locus Affecting Pork Meat Quality

Chen, J.F.,Dai, L.H.,Peng, J.,Li, J.L.,Zheng, R.,Zuo, B.,Li, F.E.,Liu, M.,Yue, K.,Lei, M.G.,Xiong, Y.Z.,Deng, C.Y.,Jiang, S.W. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.4

The porcine PRKAG3 (RN) gene encodes the regulatory gamma subunit of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is a good candidate gene affecting meat quality. In this study, the effects of two missense mutations A595G (Ile199Val) and G154A (Gly52Ser) in porcine PRKAG3 gene on meat quality traits were studied in M. Longissimus dorsi (LD), M. Semispinalis capitis (SC) and M. Biceps femoris (BF) from different populations of 326 pigs. The PRKAG3 alleles 199I, 199IV, 52S and 52G were identified with PCR-RFLPs and all genotypes - 199I/199I, 199I/199V, 199V/199V, 52S/52S, 52S/52G and 52G/52G - were found. The frequency of V allele was larger than that of I allele in all populations. I allele frequency was zero in Chinese Meishan pigs (population D) especially. G allele frequency was larger than that of S allele in all populations except Large White (population A). Both variations at the PRKAG3 locus significantly affected these meat quality traits. The pork meat quality has not previously been established in Meishan or crosses thereof. The results suggested that generally pH of LD, SC and BF was higher in Meishan pigs than that in other populations. Moreover, Meishan pigs showed higher water-holding capacity and intramuscular fat (IMF), lower water content and water loss percentage compared to other populations in terms of the two variations. The results present here supply new evidence that alleles V199I and G52S at the PRKAG3 locus affect pork meat quality and provide useful information on pork production.

Genetic Variability of mtDNA Sequences in Chinese Native Chicken Breeds

Liu, Z.G.,Lei, C.Z.,Luo, J.,Ding, C.,Chen, G.H.,Chang, H.,Wang, K.H.,Liu, X.X.,Zhang, X.Y.,Xiao, X.J.,Wu, S.L. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.7

The variability of mtDNA hypervariable segment I (HVS I) sequences was investigated in a total of 48 birds belonging to 12 Chinese native chicken breeds. Sixteen haplotypes were identified from 35 polymorphic nucleotide sites which accounted for 6.4% of a sequenced 544 bp fragment. Diversity analysis of the haplotypes showed that Tibetan, Langshan and Henan cockfight chicken had only one haplotype, while ancient haplotypes existed in Taihe silky and Chahua chicken. Phylogenetic analysis of the haplotypes suggested that Chinese native chicken breeds shared 5 maternal lineages and some breeds would share the same maternal lineage, regardless of their external features and ecological types. Both divergent and phylogenetic analysis of the haplotypes indicated the close genetic relationships between the Chinese native chicken breeds and G. g. gallus and G. g. spadiceus from different areas, which implied that G. g. gallus and G. g. spadiceus were the original ancestors of the Chinese native chicken breeds.

Investigation of PCR-RFLPs within Major Histocompatibility Complex B-G Genes Using Two Restriction Enzymes in Eight Breeds of Chinese Indigenous Chickens

R. F. Xu,K. Li,G. H. Chen,B. Y. Z. Qiang,D. L. Mo,B. Fan,C. C. Li,M. Yu,M. J. Zhu,T. A. Xiong,B. Liu 아세아·태평양축산학회 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.7

New polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex B-G genes was investigated by amplification and digestion of a 401bp fragment including intron 1 and exon 2 using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCRRFLP) technique with two restriction enzymes of Msp I and Tas I in eight breeds of Chinese indigenous chickens and one exotic breed. In the fragment region of the gene, three novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected at the two restriction sites. We found the transition of two nucleotides of A294G and T295C occurred at Tas I restriction site, and consequently led to a nonsynonymous substitution of asparagine into serine at position 54 within the deduced amino acid sequence of immunoglobulin variableregion- like domain encoded by the exon 2 of B-G gene. It was observed at rare frequency that a single mutation of A294G occurring at the site, also caused an identical substitution of amino acid, asparagine 54-to-serine, to that we described previously. And the transversion of G319C at Msp I site led to a non-synonymous substitution, glutamine 62-to-histidine. The new alleles and allele frequencies identified by the PCR-RFLP method with the two enzymes were characterized, of which the allele A and B frequencies at Msp I and Tas I loci were given disequilibrium distribution either in the eight Chinese local breeds or in the exotic breed. By comparison, allele A at Msp I locus tended to be dominant, while, the allele B at Tas I locus tended to be dominant in all of the breeds analyzed. In Tibetan chickens, the preliminary association analysis revealed that no significant difference was observed between the different genotypes identified at the Msp I and Tas I loci and the laying performance traits, respectively.

True Digestibility of Phosphorus in Different Resources of Feed Ingredients in Growing Pigs

Wu, X.,Ruan, Z.,Zhang, Y.G.,Hou, Y.Q.,Yin, Y.L.,Li, T.J.,Huang, R.L.,Chu, W.Y.,Kong, X.F.,Gao, B.,Chen, L.X. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.1

To determine the true digestible phosphorus (TDP) requirement of growing pigs, two experiments were designed with the experimental diets containing five true digestible P levels (0.16%, 0.20%, 0.23%, 0.26% and 0.39%) and the ratio of total calcium to true digestible P (TDP) kept at 2:1. In Experiment 1, five barrows (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire) with an average initial body weight of 27.9 kg were used in a $5{\times}5$ Latin-square design to evaluate the effect of different dietary P levels on the digestibility and output of P and nitrogen. In Experiment 2, sixty healthy growing pigs (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire) with an average body weight (BW) of 21.4 kg were assigned randomly to one of the five dietary treatments (12 pigs/diet), and were used to determine the true digestible phosphorus (TDP) requirement of growing pigs on the basis of growth performance and serum biochemical indices. The results indicated that the true digestibility of P increased (p<0.05) linearly with increasing dietary TDP level below 0.26%. The true P digestibility was highest (56.6%) when dietary TDP was 0.34%. Expressed as g/kg dry matter intake (DMI), fecal P output increased (p<0.05) linearly with increasing P input. On the basis of g/kg fecal dry matter (DM), fecal P output was lowest for Diet 4 and highest (p<0.05) for Diet 5. The apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP) did not differ (p>0.05) among the five diets, with the average nitrogen output of 12.14 g/d and nitrogen retention of 66% to 74% (p>0.05), which suggested that there was no interaction between dietary P and CP protein levels. During the 28-d experimental period of Experiment 2, the average daily gain (ADG) of pigs was affected by dietary TDP levels as described by Eq. (1): $y=-809,532x^4+788,079x^3-276,250x^2+42,114x-1,759$; ($R^2=0.99$; p<0.01; y = ADG, g/d; x = dietary TDP, %), F/G for pigs by Eq. (2): $y=3,651.1x^4-3,480.4x^3+1,183.8x^2-172.5x+10.9$ ($R^2=0.99$; p<0.01; y = F/G; x = dietary TDP, %), and Total P concentrations in serum by Eq. (3): $y=-3,311.7x^4+3,342.7x^3-1,224.6x^2+195.6x-8.7$ (R2 = 0.99; p<0.01; y = total serum P concentration and x = dietary TDP, %). The highest ADG (782 g/d), the lowest F/G (1.07) and the highest total serum P concentration (3.1 mmol/L) were obtained when dietary TDP level was 0.34%. Collectively, these results indicate that the optimal TDP requirement of growing pigs is 0.34% of the diet at a total Ca to TDP ratio of 2:1.

Microbial Subversion of Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans

Ye Chen,Martin Götte,Jian Liu,Pyong Woo Park 한국분자세포생물학회 2008 Molecules and cells Vol.26 No.5

The interactions between the host and microbial pathogen largely dictate the onset, progression, and outcome of infectious diseases. Pathogens subvert host components to promote their pathogenesis and, among these, cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans are exploited by many pathogens for their initial attachment and subsequent cellular entry. The ability to interact with heparan sulfate proteoglycans is widespread among viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Certain pathogens also use heparan sulfate proteoglycans to evade host defense mechanisms. These findings suggest that heparan sulfate proteoglycans are critical in microbial pathogenesis, and that heparan sulfate proteoglycan-pathogen interactions are potential targets for novel prophylactic and therapeutic approaches.

New teleomorph combinations in the entomopathogenic genus <i>Metacordyceps</i>

Kepler, R.M.,Sung, G.-H.,Ban, S.,Nakagiri, A.,Chen, M.-J.,Huang, B.,Li, Z.,Spatafora, J.W. Informa UK (TaylorFrancis) 2012 Mycologia Vol.104 No.1

<P>The genus Metacordyceps contains arthropod pathogens in Clavicipitaceae (Hypocreales) that formerly were classified in Cordyceps sensu Kobayasi et Mains. Of the current arthropod pathogenic genera of Hypocreales, the genus Metacordyceps remains one of the most poorly understood and contains a number of teleomorphic morphologies convergent with species of Cordyceps s.s. (Cordycipitaceae) and Ophiocordyceps (Ophiocordycipitaceae). Of note, the anamorph genera Metarhizium and Pochonia were found to be associated only with Metacordyceps and demonstrated to be phylogenetically informative for the clade. Several species of Cordyceps considered to have uncertain placements (incertae sedis) in the current taxonomic framework of clavicipitoid fungi were collected during field expeditions mostly in eastern Asia. Species reclassified here in Metacordyceps include Cordyceps atrovirens Kobayasi & Shimizu, Cordyceps indigotica Kobayasi & Shimizu, Cordyceps khaoyaiensis Hywel-Jones, Cordyceps kusanagiensis Kobayasi & Shimizu, Cordyceps martialis Speg., Ophiocordyceps owariensis Kobayasi, Cordyceps pseudoatrovirens Kobayasi & Shimizu and Ophicordyceps owariensis f. viridescens (Uchiy. & Udagawa) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora. Incorporation of these species in a multigene phylogenetic framework of the major clades of clavicipitoid fungi more than doubled the number of species in Metacordyceps and allowed for refinement of morphological concepts for the genus consistent with the phylogenetic structure. Based on these findings we then discuss evolution of this genus, subgeneric relationships, anamorph connections, and suggest additional species that should be confirmed for possible inclusion in Metacordyceps.</P>

Association between PCR-RFLP of Melatonin Receptor 1a Gene and High Prolificacy in Small Tail Han Sheep

Chu, M.X.,Ji, C.L.,Chen, G.H. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.12

Melatonin regulates circadian rhythms and reproduction changes in seasonally reproductive mammals through binding to high-affinity, G-protein-coupled receptors. Small Tail Han sheep that has significant characteristics of high prolificacy and nonseasonal ovulatory activity is an excellent local sheep breed in P. R. China. The exon 2 of the ovine melatonin receptor 1a (MTNR1A) gene was amplified and a uniform fragment of 824 bp was obtained in 150 ewes of Small Tail Han sheep. The 824 bp PCR product was digested with restriction endonucleases Mnl I and Rsa I, and genetic polymorphism was detected by PCR-RFLP. Polymorphic Mnl I site was detected at base position 605 of the exon 2 of the MTNR1A gene. There were two kinds of genotypes in Small Tail Han sheep, AB (303 bp, 236 bp/67 bp) and BB (236 bp/67 bp, 236 bp/67 bp). The results indicated that genotype AA (303 bp, 303 bp) at Mnl I-RFLP site did not exist in non-seasonal estrous Small Tail Han sheep, which suggested that there was an association between genotype AA (303 bp, 303 bp) and reproductive seasonality in sheep. Polymorphic Rsa I site was detected at base position 604 of the exon 2 of the MTNR1A gene. Three kinds of genotypes were found in Small Tail Han sheep, AA (290 bp, 290 bp), AB (290 bp, 267 bp/23 bp) and BB (267 bp/23 bp, 267 bp/23 bp). Least squares means of litter size in the first parity and the second parity for genotype AA (290 bp, 290 bp) at Rsa I-RFLP site were 0.43 and 1.06 more than those for genotype AB (290 bp, 267 bp/23 bp) in Small Tail Han sheep.

Effects of Type and Level of Forage Supplementation on Voluntary Intake, Digestion, Rumen Microbial Protein Synthesis and Growth in Sheep Fed a Basal Diet of Rice Straw and Cassava

Premaratne, Sujatha,van Bruchem, J.,Chen, X.B.,Perera, H.G.D.,Oosting, S.J. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1998 Animal Bioscience Vol.11 No.6

An experiment was conducted with eight growing sheep (average initial weight 20.6 kg and average final weight 23.7 kg) in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to study the effect of type of forage supplementation to a basal diet of rice straw (ad libitum) and cassava (Manihot esculanta, approximately 9 g of dry matter $(DM).kg^{-0.75}{\cdot}day^{-1}$) on voluntary intake, digestion, rumen microbial protein synthesis and daily weight gain. Forages used were Leucaena (L, Leucaena leucocephala), Gliricidia (G, Gliricidia maculata) and Tithonia (T, Tithonia diversifolia, wild sunflower) at a DM supplementation level of approximately $13g.kg^{-0.75}.day^{-1}$. Organic matter intake was 40.4, 55.5, 55.0 and $54.9g{\cdot}kg.^{-0.75}{\cdot}day^{-1}$ for control (C, ad libitum straw and cassava), L, G and T. respectively, significantly lower for C than for the supplemented diets. Intake of supplementary forage had also a significantly positive effect on voluntary rice straw intake. All forage supplemented diets showed a significantly higher whole diet organic matter digestion than C ($488g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$), while T ($557g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) differed significantly from L ($516g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) but not from G ($526g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$). Daily weight gain was -1.7, 5.2, 5.4 and $4.7g{\cdot}kg^{-0.75}$, for C, L, G and T. respectively, significantly lower for C than for the forage-supplemented diets. Efficiency of microbial protein synthesis estimated from urinary excretion of purine derivatives was lower for C (3.8 g microbial N. (kg digestible organic matter intake $(DOMI))^{-1}$ than for the forage supplemented diets (11.3, 9.0 and 9.4 g microbial $N.(kg\;DOMI)^{-1}$ for L, G and T. respectively).

Self-adaptive Si/reduced graphene oxide scrolls for high-performance Li-ion battery anodes

Yu, Y.,Li, G.,Zhou, S.,Chen, X.,Lee, H.W.,Yang, W. Pergamon Press ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2017 Carbon Vol.120 No.-

<P>A Si/C composite with Si nanoparticles (nSi) uniformly dispersed in the interlayers of reduced graphene oxide scrolls (rGS) is successfully developed for high-performance Li-ion battery anodes. The rGS can deform reversibly with the repeated expansion/contraction of nSi to maintain contact between the nSi and the conductive rGS network, which can effectively buffer large volume changes and maintain continuous large-area core-shell electrical contact. Additionally, the continuous electrical network of rGS greatly enhances the electrical conductivity, and the open structures at the ends and sides of rGS provide paths for rapid diffusion of Li ions, thus enhancing the rate performance. By virtue of the rational design, the composite shows a high reversible specific capacity of 2030 mA h g(-1) at 0.2 A g(-1), high cycling stability of 1200 mA h g(-1) at 4 A g(-1) with 99.2% capacity retention after 200 cycles, and an excellent rate performance of 1000 mA h g(-1) even at 8 A g(-1). (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</P>

Radiative decay of theψ(2S)into two pseudoscalar mesons

Bai, J. Z.,Ban, Y.,Bian, J. G.,Blum, I.,Chen, A. D.,Chen, G. P.,Chen, H. F.,Chen, H. S.,Chen, J.,Chen, J. C.,Chen, X. D.,Chen, Y.,Chen, Y. B.,Cheng, B. S.,Choi, J. B.,Cui, X. Z.,Ding, H. L.,Dong, L. Y American Physical Society 2003 Physical review. D, Particles and fields Vol.67 No.3