Characterization of OAZ1 and its potential functions in goose follicular development

BackgroundOrnithine decarboxylase antizyme 1 (OAZ1) is an important regulator of polyamine synthesis and uptake. Our previous studies indicated that high OAZ1 expression in the ovaries of laying geese is responsible for poor egg production. In the present study, the molecular characterization of goose OAZ1 gene was analyzed, as well as the expression profile in various follicular tissues.ResultsAn 873-bp cDNA sequence of the OAZ1 gene (Accession No. KC845302) with a + 1 frameshift site (+ 175T) was obtained. The sequence consisted of a 652-bp two overlapping open reading frames (a putative protein with 216 amino acids). The OAZ domain, OAZ signature and OAZ super family domain were prominent conserved regions among species. As the follicle size increased, OAZ1 abundance showed an increasing trend during follicular development, while it decreased during follicular regression. The level of OAZ1 mRNA expression was the lowest in the fifth largest preovulatory follicle, and was 0.65-fold compared to the small white follicle (P < 0.05). OAZ1 mRNA expression in the largest preovulatory and postovulatory follicle was 2.11- and 2.49-fold compared to the small white follicle, respectively (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe goose OAZ1 structure confirms that OAZ1 plays an important role in ornithine decarboxylase-mediated regulation of polyamine homeostasis. Our findings provide an evidence for a potential function of OAZ1 in follicular development, ovulation and regression.     

Copeptin and its potential role in diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases

The need for faster diagnosis, more accurate prognostic assessment and treatment decisions in various diseases has lead to the investigations of new biomarkers. The hope is that this new biomarkers will enable early decision making in clinical practice. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is one of the main hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Its main stimulus for secretion is hyperosmolarity, but AVP system is also stimulated by exposure of the body to endogenous stress. Reliable measurement of AVP concentration is difficult because it is subject to preanalytical and analytical errors. It is therefore not used in clinical practice. Copeptin, a 39-aminoacid glycopeptide, is a C-terminal part of the precursor pre-provasopressin (pre-proAVP). Activation of AVP system stimulates copeptin secretion into the circulation from the posterior pituitary gland in equimolar amounts with AVP. Therefore, copeptin directly reflects AVP concentration and can be used as surrogate biomarker of AVP secretion. Even mild to moderate stress situations contribute to release of copeptin. These reasons have lead to a handful of research on copeptin in various diseases. This review summarizes the current achievements in the research of copeptin as a diagnostic and prognostic marker and also discusses its association in different disease processes.     

中国畜禽粪便养分资源总量及替代化肥潜力

明确畜禽粪便资源数量及养分总量,计算其替代化肥潜力,对指导实现化肥零增长和减施增效具有重要意义.本文研究的畜禽种类包括牛、马、驴、骡、猪、羊、家禽和兔,利用排泄系数法估算了1980-2016年中国畜禽粪便的养分资源总量,并计算畜禽粪便替代化肥潜力.结果显示:①1980-2016年畜禽粪便和养分资源总量呈快速增长—稳定发...     

Increase in calcium content of erythrocyte and its significance to the function of enzyme calcium activated neutral protease (CANP) activity in β- thalassemia homozygotes and heterozygotes

The enhanced presence of calcium in the erythrocytes of thalassemia homozygotes along with an increase in cytosolic and membrane bound CANP, and a decrease in membrane glycoprotein and total membrane sulfhydryl groups are statistically significant changes.In vitro loading of erythrocytes with calcium in the presence of lonophore A₂₃₁₈₇ caused similar changes pointing to the significance of calcium mediated proteolysis, especially by CANP in preparing erythrocytes for the phagocytic event.     

Molecular characterization of CHST11 and its potential role in nacre formation in pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii

BackgroundC4ST-1 catalyzes the transfer of sulfate groups in the sulfonation of chondroitin during chondroitin sulfate synthesis. Chondroitin sulfate consists of numerous copies of negatively charged sulfonic acid groups that participate in the nucleation process of biomineralization. In the present study, we obtained two CHST11 genes (PmCHST11a and PmCHST11b) which encoded the C4ST-1 and explored the functions of these genes in the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate and in the formation of the nacreous layer of shells.ResultsBoth PmCHST11a and PmCHST11b had a sulfotransferase-2 domain, a signal peptide and a transmembrane domain. These properties indicated that these genes localize in the Golgi apparatus. Real-time PCR revealed that both PmCHST11a and PmCHST11b were highly expressed in the central zone of the mantle tissue. Inhibiting PmCHST11a and PmCHST11b via RNA interference significantly decreased the expression levels of these genes in the central zone of the mantle tissue and the concentration of chondroitin sulfate in extrapallial fluid. Moreover, shell nacre crystallized irregularly with a rough surface after RNA interference.ConclusionsThis study indicated that PmCHST11a and PmCHST11b are involved in the nacre formation of Pinctada fucata martensii through participating in the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate.     

区域二氧化碳排放绩效及减排潜力研究——以我国主要工业省区为例

 在全要素生产框架下,利用环境生产技术和有向距离函数构造了只要求降低二氧化碳排放的单一绩效指标和同时要求二氧化碳减少与经济产出扩张的综合绩效指标,并以我国主要工业省区为例,分析其二氧化碳排放绩效和减排潜力,研究表明：样本期间总体绩效偏低且有退化趋势,年均减少二氧化碳且增加经济产出的潜力在30%左右;潜在碳强度明显小于初始碳强度,且部分工业省区的排序在两种碳强度状态下将发生较大变动;此外,技术进步推动了生产前沿的向外移动。