Transcriptome profiling in rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum tissues during the developmental transition of pre-ruminant to the ruminant in yaks

The development of the four stomachs of yak is closely related to its health and performance, however the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we systematically analyzed mRNAs of four stomachs in five growth time points [0 day, 20 days, 60 days, 15 months and 3 years (adult)] of yaks. Overall, the expression patterns of DEmRNAs were unique at 0 d, similar at 20 d and 60 d, and similar at 15 m and adult in four stomachs. The expression pattern in abomasum was markedly different from that in rumen, reticulum and omasum. Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM) analysis demonstrated that multi-model spectra are drastically enriched over time in four stomachs. All the identified mRNAs in rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum were classified into 6, 4, 7, and 5 cluster profiles, respectively. Modules 9, 38, and 41 were the most significant three colored modules. By weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), a total of 5,486 genes were categorized into 10 modules. CCKBR, KCNQ1, FER1L6, and A4GNT were the hub genes of the turquoise module, and PAK6, TRIM29, ADGRF4, TGM1, and TMEM79 were the hub genes of the blue module. Furthermore, functional KEGG enrichment analysis suggested that the turquoise module was involved in gastric acid secretion, sphingolipid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, etc., and the blue module was enriched in pancreatic secretion, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, and starch and sucrose metabolism, etc. Our study aims to lay a molecular basis for the study of the physiological functions of rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum in yaks. It can further elucidate the important roles of these mRNAs in regulation of growth, development and metabolism in yaks, and to provide a theoretical basis for age-appropriate weaning and supplementary feeding in yaks

Evolution of Animal Microbial Communities in Response to Environmental Stress

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cardiovascular risk in high altitude people of Nepal

Background Permanently living at high altitude (HA) directly affects the cardiovascular system because of lower arterial blood oxygen content compared to sea-level and other associated physiological changes. It is uncertain if there are clear-cut benefits or risks to cardiovascular health from living at HA and whether these benefits or risks, if they exist, vary in different populations. In Nepal, a comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment of a sample of individuals representing a HA population has not previously been performed. The main aims of this project were to estimate, in residents at HA, the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cerebrovascular disease; to estimate the distribution of key cardiovascular risk factors; and to estimate any possible relationships between CHD or blood pressure with altitude. Methods The study design was a cross-sectional survey. The sampling technique was cluster sampling of study areas on the basis of altitude level, population density and logistical support to undertake the study, but the participants within the study areas were randomly selected. The sample consisted of 521 residents aged 30 years or over from the Nepal districts of Mustang and Humla, permanently living at altitudes of 2800 metre (m), 2890 m, 3270 m, or 3620 m. Data was collected by administering the WHO STEPS interview questionnaire for non-communicable disease risk factors, a questionnaire for verifying stroke-free status (QVSFS), bio-physical measurements (blood pressure, height, weight, waist, hip), biochemical measurements (lipid profile and glycated haemoglobin), and a resting 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The prevalence of CHD was defined as the presence of pathological Q waves in the ECG or self-report of personal history of CHD (previous event of myocardial infarction (MI) or chest pain from heart disease (angina)). ECG recordings were categorized as definitely abnormal (e.g. showing evidence of previous MI, borderline (e.g. non-specific T-wave inversion) or normal after review by a cardiologist using standard widely accepted criteria. Blood pressure (systolic/diastolic) was classified as normal (<120/80 mmHg), pre-hypertension (HT) (120–39/80–89 mmHg), HT (≥140/90 mmHg), Stage I HT (140–159/90–99 mmHg), and Stage II HT (≥160/100 mmHg). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models were used for the relationship between systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and altitude. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between an abnormal (or borderline abnormal) ECG and altitude in univariate and multivariate models. Results None of the participants showed definite electrocardiographic evidence of CHD. Overall, 5.6% of the participants gave a self-reported history of CHD. Altogether 19.6% of the participants had an abnormal (or borderline abnormal) ECG. The main categories of abnormality were right axis deviation (5.4%) and left ventricular hypertrophy by voltage criteria (3.5%). Observed ECG abnormalities differed between ethnic populations: suggestive of left sided cardiac abnormalities in the Mustang district with a majority population of Tibetans; and right sided abnormalities in the Humla district with a majority population of Khas-Arya. There was a moderate association between the probability of abnormal (or borderline abnormal) ECG and altitude, adjusted for potential confounding variables, with an odds ratio for a greater probability of an abnormal ECG (95% CI) of 2.83 (1.07 to 7.45), P=0.03 per 1000 m elevation of altitude. A history of stroke or of symptoms of stroke (by positive self-report of at least one criterion of the QVSFS) was identified in 6.7% of the participants. A multivariate model adjusting for potential confounding variables showed that there was moderate evidence of an association between SBP and altitude; mean SBP (95% CI) increase by 11.3 mmHg (-0.1 to 22.7), P=0.05 for every 1000 m elevation. The distribution and prevalence of key cardiovascular disease-related risk factors did not differ by altitude level. Rather, they differed by ethnicity, residential settings (urban or rural) and cultural practices. The prevalence of HT or being on treatment for HT was higher in the Mustang district with dominant Tibetan-related populations (between 41% and 54.5%) than in the Humla district, with dominant Khas-Arya (29.1%). Only 3.3% to 10.3% participants in Mustang self-reported being current smokers, whereas this rate was 38.6% in Humla. The prevalence of current drinker was high at all altitude levels ranging from 45.4% (3620 m) to 63.9% (3270 m). The prevalence of abnormal lipid components, diabetes or being on treatment for diabetes, and overweight or obesity, were all higher in urban (2800 m and 3620 m) compared to rural (3270 m and 2890 m) residential settings. Conclusion The HA populations sampled in this study had a lower prevalence of CHD and a higher prevalence of stroke than that of relevant comparator low altitude populations. None of the participants had ECG evidence of past CHD. Cardiovascular risk profiles of HA populations may depend on altitude, ethnicity, cultural lifestyle practices, and residential setting (urban or rural). Altitude per se could be an important additional risk factor because of its association with SBP and abnormal (or borderline abnormal) ECG. Different ancestry-related physiological responses to the low oxygen environment at HA may affect cardiovascular health consistent with the evidence of different patterns of ECG abnormality. The findings of the present study suggest that ethnicity and associated lifestyle or cultural practices (such as salt and alcohol intake, smoking habit) and residential settings (mainly differences in physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption in urban and rural participants), are also likely to be important determinants of cardiovascular health for HA residents

Mechanistic Insights Into Probiotic Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria Associated With Ethnic Fermented Dairy Products

Gut microbes and their metabolites maintain the health and homeostasis of the host by communicating with the host via various biochemical and physical factors. Changing lifestyle, chronic intake of foods rich in refined carbohydrates and fats have caused intestinal dysbiosis and other lifestyle-based diseases. Thus, supplementation with probiotics has gained popularity as biotherapies for improving gut health and treating disorders. Research shows that probiotic organisms enhance gastrointestinal health, immunomodulation, generation of essential micronutrients, and prevention of cancer. Ethnically fermented milk and dairy products are hotspots for novel probiotic organisms and bioactive compounds. These ethnic fermented foods have been traditionally prepared by indigenous populations, and have preserved unique microflora for ages. To apply these unique microflora for amelioration of human health, it is important that probiotic properties of the bacterial species are well studied. Majority of the published research and reviews focus on the probiotic organisms and their properties, fermented food products, isolation techniques, and animal studies with their health pathologies. As a consequence, there is a dearth of information about the underlying molecular mechanism behind probiotics associated with ethnically prepared dairy foods. This review is targeted at stimulating research on understanding these mechanisms of bacterial species and beneficial attributes of ethnically fermented dairy products

Climate change and water-related infectious diseases

Background: Water-related, including waterborne, diseases remain important sources of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but particularly in developing countries. The potential for changes in disease associated with predicted anthropogenic climate changes make water-related diseases a target for prevention. Methods: We provide an overview of evidence on potential future changes in water-related disease associated with climate change. Results: A number of pathogens are likely to present risks to public health, including cholera, typhoid, dysentery, leptospirosis, diarrhoeal diseases and harmful algal blooms (HABS). The risks are greatest where the climate effects drive population movements, conflict and disruption, and where drinking water supply infrastructure is poor. The quality of evidence for water-related disease has been documented. Conclusions: We highlight the need to maintain and develop timely surveillance and rapid epidemiological responses to outbreaks and emergence of new waterborne pathogens in all countries. While the main burden of waterborne diseases is in developing countries, there needs to be both technical and financial mechanisms to ensure adequate quantities of good quality water, sewage disposal and hygiene for all. This will be essential in preventing excess morbidity and mortality in areas that will suffer from substantial changes in climate in the future

Innovative approaches to understanding and limiting the public health risks of Cryptosporidium in animals in Australian drinking water catchments

Cryptosporidium is the most important waterborne pathogen due to its resistance to chlorine in drinking water. The contribution of Cryptosporidium to waterborne diseases in Australia is however, unknown. The level of faecal contamination of drinking water catchments with this parasite was assessed by longitudinal analysis of faecal samples collected from marsupials, sheep, cattle and rabbits (n = 5,774) from eleven drinking water catchments across three states; New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WA). Faecal samples were screened by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and typed at two loci using Sanger sequencing. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium in faecal samples was 18.3% (1,054/5,774; 95% CI, 17.3-19.3). Of these, 873 samples produced clean Sanger sequencing chromatograms, and the remaining 181 samples, which initially produced chromatograms suggesting the presence of multiple different sequences, were re-analysed by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to resolve the presence of Cryptosporidium and the species composition of mixed infections. The overall prevalence of mixed infection was 1.7% (98/5,774), and in the remaining 83 samples, NGS detected only one species of Cryptosporidium. Of the 17 Cryptosporidium species and four genotypes detected (Sanger sequencing combined with NGS), 13 are capable of infecting humans; C. parvum, C. hominis, C. ubiquitum, C. cuniculus, C. meleagridis, C. canis, C. felis, C. muris, C. suis, C. scrofarum, C. bovis, C. erinacei and C. fayeri. Sewage (influent) samples across these states were also collected (n = 730) and screened by qPCR and typed using next generation sequencing (NGS). In sewage samples, the overall Cryptosporidium prevalence was 11.4% (83/730); 14.3% (3/21) in NSW, 10.8% (51/470); in QLD and 12.1% (29/239) in WA, and a total of 17 Cryptosporidium species and 6 genotypes were detected by NGS, including some of the same zoonotic species detected in animal faecal samples. This study highlights the public health importance of continued identification of the sources/carriers of human pathogenic strains for accurate risk assessment and optimal catchment management

Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Plant Natural Compounds II

The Special issue "Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Plant Natural Compounds II" is continuing the intriguing research on the use of natural plant products. The second edition follows the aim of the first one

Pig Genomics and Genetics

In this Special Issue, we present the state of the art in the field of pig genetics and genomics, including the identification of gene candidates linked to important pig traits and to nutritional modifications, with the aim of collecting the most recent advances. The published manuscripts focused on high-throughput methodologies, such as RNA sequencing, ATAC-seq, MACE-seq, chip-seq, and RRBS, and covered other fields of pig genetics. The pig (Sus scrofa) is the most common large mammal in the world. The Sus genus includes domestic pig and wild boar. Since the draft reference genome sequence of S. scrofa was assembled in 2012, the processes of identification of genes related to important phenotypic traits and of search of genetic markers for pig selection have been significantly refined. In addition, the newest wide-range high-throughput techniques, including microarrays, next-generation sequencing, and the recent PacBio sequencing platform providing ultra-long sequencing reads, allow identifying gene mutations and gene candidates throughout the whole genome, transcriptome, or epigenome and estimating quantitative traits important for breeding as well as the genetic backgrounds of inherited diseases

The role of poi as a naturally fermented Hawaiian food in the modulation of gut health

Ph.D