Rapid Heterotrophic Ossification with Cryopreserved Poly(ethylene glycol-) Microencapsulated BMP2-Expressing MSCs

Autologous bone grafting is the most effective treatment for long-bone nonunions, but it poses considerable risks to donors, necessitating the development of alternative therapeutics. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microencapsulation and BMP2 transgene delivery are being developed together to induce rapid bone formation. However, methods to make these treatments available for clinical applications are presently lacking. In this study we used mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) due to their ease of harvest, replication potential, and immunomodulatory capabilities. MSCs were from sheep and pig due to their appeal as large animal models for bone nonunion. We demonstrated that cryopreservation of these microencapsulated MSCs did not affect their cell viability, adenoviral BMP2 production, or ability to initiate bone formation. Additionally, microspheres showed no appreciable damage from cryopreservation when examined with light and electron microscopy. These results validate the use of cryopreservation in preserving the viability and functionality of PEG-encapsulated BMP2-transduced MSCs

Karyotype Analysis of Gazania rigens Varieties

For studying species origin, systematic evolution and phylogenetic relationship of Gazania rigens, four different G. rigens varieties, with different flower colors, were subjected to chromosome karyotype analysis. The somatic chromosome number in three varieties ‘Hongwen’, ‘Xingbai’ and ‘Richu’ was 2n = 10, while in ‘Zhongguo Xunzhangju’ it was 2n = 20. We speculate that the cardinal number of chromosomes in G. rigens plants is x = 5, in which case ‘Zhongguo Xunzhangju’ is a tetraploid. The karyotype formulae of ‘Hongwen’, ‘Xingbai’ and ‘Richu’ were 2n = 8m + 2sm, 2n = 8m  + 2sm and 2n = 10m respectively. The karyotype formula of ‘Zhongguo Xunzhangju’ was 2n = 18m + 2sm. The asymmetrical karyotype coefficients of the four G. rigens varieties ranged from 53.80% to 58.84%. Only ‘Richu’ had a ‘1A’ karyotype, while the others were relatively symmetric ‘2A’. Karyotype analysis indicates that the three introduced varieties have a close genetic relationship

Prolonged fasting induces significant germ cell loss in chickens after hatching

ABSTRACT: Germ cell loss is a crucial biological event during germ cell development. The number of female germ cells determines the reproductive performance and egg production of hens. Various intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect germ cell loss, such as germ cell nest breakdown in early life and nutritional deficiencies during daily husbandry. Here, we examined the effect of fasting on the germ cell number of chicks. The results showed that 72 h fasting resulted in a higher germ cell loss than that by 24 h fasting in chicks. The RNA-seq analysis revealed that the genes of ribosome pathway were down-regulated and the biological processes of protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum were inhibited in starved chicks. Furthermore, in female chicks treated with 72 h fasting, the qPCR of ovaries showed down-regulation of ribosome-related genes, and transmission electron microscopy imaging of ovaries showed fewer ribosomes. The blood biochemical indices indicated that 72 h fasting reduced the liver functions and affected the glucose metabolism, lipid metabolites and ion metabolites. In summary, the present results concluded negative impacts on the germ cell pool by prolonged fasting in the early life of chicks and manifested that adequate management should be cared for fasted time for breeding

RNA-Seq Profiling of Intact and Enucleated Oocyte SCNT Embryos Reveals the Role of Pig Oocyte Nucleus in Somatic Reprogramming - Fig 5

<p>Scatter plot of DEGs in (a) A vs. C; (b) B vs. D; (c) A vs. B; (d) C vs. D and GO functional classification of DEGs in (e) A vs. C and (f) B vs. D. Note: For A vs. C, A is the control group. Red points indicate genes up-regulated in C relative to A, green points represent genes down-regulated in C relative to A, and blue points represent genes that showed no differences or fold change below 2.</p

Expression of selected genes in real-time quantitative RT-PCR.

<p>Expression of selected genes in real-time quantitative RT-PCR.</p

Cluster image of DEG levels of transcription factor activity genes expressed in the nucleus.

<p>Each column represents one sample, and each row represents one gene. Red indicates up-regulation and green indicates down-regulation.</p

Summary of mapping results of four samples (mapping to reference genome).

<p>Summary of mapping results of four samples (mapping to reference genome).</p

Cluster image of DEG levels of four samples.

<p>Each column represents an experimental sample, and each row represents a gene. Differences in expression are shown in different colors. Red indicates up-regulation and green represents down-regulation.</p