Lung histology.

<p>Pathological sections of lung tissues were harvested after 24h, fixed with buffered formalin, and then 5-micrometer sections were analyzed by HE staining. Original magnification, ×40. A. Asthma group. B.Anti-<i>IL-25</i> group. C. Control group.</p

Analysis of BALF total cell numbers and classified inflammatory cells of BALB/c mice, by cell counting plate.

<p>Bars depict the mean±SD. * indicates <i>P</i> value of less than 0.05; ** indicates <i>P</i> value of more than 0.05, compared with control group.</p

The expression of <i>IL-25</i> protein in lungs by means of western blot analysis.

<p>The tracheal explants of mice extracted to perform western blot analysis. A. <i>IL-25</i> and <i>GAPDH</i> mRNA expression profile. B. Results of A were quantified and graphed by densitometry using the Image-Pro Plus software. Results are expressed as mean±SD. * indicates <i>P</i> value of less than 0.05; ** indicates <i>P</i> value of more than 0.05, compared with control group.</p

Inflammation Responses in the Airway.

<p>Inflammation Responses in the Airway.</p

Analysis of inflammatory cytokines in BALF by ELISA.

<p>Bars depict the mean±SD. * indicates <i>P</i> value of less than 0.05; ** indicates <i>P</i> value of more than 0.05, compared with control group.</p

The expression of <i>IL-25</i> mRNA in lung tissue was detected by Comparative Ct value.

<p>Results are expressed as mean±SD. * indicates <i>P</i> value of less than 0.05; ** indicates <i>P</i> value of more than 0.05, compared with control group.</p

The number of nuocytes expressed in BALF by means flow cytometry analysis.

<p>The numbers in A, B, and C represent the absolute numbers of detected cells in the boxes. A. The levels of <i>ICOS</i> and <i>T1/ST2</i> in nuocytes were significantly up-regulated in the asthma group. B. The levels of <i>ICOS</i> and <i>T1/ST2</i> in nuocytes were not significantly changed in the anti-IL-25 group. C. The levels of <i>ICOS</i> and <i>T1/ST2</i> in nuocytes were not significantly changed in the control group. D. The number of nuocytes. Result are expressed as mean±SD. * indicates <i>P</i> value of less than 0.05; ** indicates <i>P</i> value of more than 0.05, compared with control group.</p

Expression of <i>IL-25</i>, <i>IL-5</i> and <i>IL-13</i> by ELISA.

<p>Expression of <i>IL-25</i>, <i>IL-5</i> and <i>IL-13</i> by ELISA.</p

PCR primer sequences.

<p>PCR primer sequences.</p

Deep RNA sequencing of pectoralis muscle transcriptomes during late-term embryonic to neonatal development in indigenous Chinese duck breeds

<div><p>Pectoral muscle (PM) comprises an important component of overall meat mass in ducks. However, PM has shown arrested or even reduced growth during late embryonic development, and the molecular mechanisms underlying PM growth during the late embryonic to neonatal period in ducks have not been addressed. In this study, we characterized potential candidate genes and signaling pathways related to PM development using RNA sequencing of PM samples selected at embryonic days (E) 21 and 27 and 5 days post-hatch (dph) in two duck breeds (Gaoyou and Jinding ducks). A total of 393 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, which showed higher or lower expression levels at E27 compared with E21 and 5 dph, reflecting the pattern of PM growth rates. Among these, 43 DEGs were common to all three time points in both duck breeds. These DEGs may thus be involved in regulating this developmental process. Specifically, KEGG pathway analysis of the 393 DEGs showed that genes involved with different metabolism pathways were highly expressed, while genes involved with cell cycle pathways showed lower expression levels at E27. These DEGs may thus be involved in the mechanisms responsible for the phenomenon of static or decreased breast muscle growth in duck breeds during the late embryonic period. These results increase the available genetic information for ducks and provide valuable resources for analyzing the mechanisms underlying the process of PM development.</p></div