Functional annotation of proteomic data from chicken heterophils and macrophages induced by carbon nanotube exposure

With the expanding applications of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in biomedicine and agriculture, questions about the toxicity and biocompatibility of CNT in humans and domestic animals are becoming matters of serious concern. This study used proteomic methods to profile gene expression in chicken macrophages and heterophils in response to CNT exposure. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis identified 12 proteins in macrophages and 15 in heterophils, with differential expression patterns in response to CNT co-incubation (0, 1, 10, and 100 µg/mL of CNT for 6 h) (p < 0.05). Gene ontology analysis showed that most of the differentially expressed proteins are associated with protein interactions, cellular metabolic processes, and cell mobility, suggesting activation of innate immune functions. Western blot analysis with heat shock protein 70, high mobility group protein, and peptidylprolyl isomerase A confirmed the alterations of the profiled proteins. The functional annotations were further confirmed by effective cell migration, promoted interleukin-1β secretion, and more cell death in both macrophages and heterophils exposed to CNT (p < 0.05). In conclusion, results of this study suggest that CNT exposure affects protein expression, leading to activation of macrophages and heterophils, resulting in altered cytoskeleton remodeling, cell migration, and cytokine production, and thereby mediates tissue immune responses

Impacts of Coulomb Interactions on the Magnetic Responses of Excitonic Complexes in Single Semiconductor Nanostructures

We report on the diamagnetic responses of different exciton complexes in single InAs/GaAs self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) and quantum rings (QRs). For QDs, the imbalanced magnetic responses of inter-particle Coulomb interactions play a crucial role in the diamagnetic shifts of excitons (X), biexcitons (XX), and positive trions (X−). For negative trions (X−) in QDs, anomalous magnetic responses are observed, which cannot be described by the conventional quadratic energy shift with the magnetic field. The anomalous behavior is attributed to the apparent change in the electron wave function extent after photon emission due to the strong Coulomb attraction by the hole in its initial state. In QRs, the diamagnetic responses of X and XX also show different behaviors. Unlike QDs, the diamagnetic shift of XX in QRs is considerably larger than that of X. The inherent structural asymmetry combined with the inter-particle Coulomb interactions makes the wave function distribution of XX very different from that of X in QRs. Our results suggest that the phase coherence of XX in QRs may survive from the wave function localization due to the structural asymmetry or imperfections

Longitudinal Evaluation of an N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea-Created Murine Model with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a neurodegenerative disorder that usually occurs late in adult life. Clinically, the cardinal features include gait disturbances, urinary incontinence, and cognitive decline.Herein we report the characterization of a novel mouse model of NPH (designated p23-ST1), created by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced mutagenesis. The ventricular size in the brain was measured by 3-dimensional micro-magnetic resonance imaging (3D-MRI) and was found to be enlarged. Intracranial pressure was measured and was found to fall within a normal range. A histological assessment and tracer flow study revealed that the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) pathway of p23-ST1 mice was normal without obstruction. Motor functions were assessed using a rotarod apparatus and a CatWalk gait automatic analyzer. Mutant mice showed poor rotarod performance and gait disturbances. Cognitive function was evaluated using auditory fear-conditioned responses with the mutant displaying both short- and long-term memory deficits. With an increase in urination frequency and volume, the mutant showed features of incontinence. Nissl substance staining and cell-type-specific markers were used to examine the brain pathology. These studies revealed concurrent glial activation and neuronal loss in the periventricular regions of mutant animals. In particular, chronically activated microglia were found in septal areas at a relatively young age, implying that microglial activation might contribute to the pathogenesis of NPH. These defects were transmitted in an autosomal dominant mode with reduced penetrance. Using a whole-genome scan employing 287 single-nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers and further refinement using six additional SNP markers and four microsatellite markers, the causative mutation was mapped to a 5.3-cM region on chromosome 4.Our results collectively demonstrate that the p23-ST1 mouse is a novel mouse model of human NPH. Clinical observations suggest that dysfunctions and alterations in the brains of patients with NPH might occur much earlier than the appearance of clinical signs. p23-ST1 mice provide a unique opportunity to characterize molecular changes and the pathogenic mechanism of NPH

Genomic regions and pathways associated with thermotolerance in layer-type strain Taiwan indigenous chickens

This study aimed to investigate genetic markers and candidate genes associated with thermotolerance in a layertype strain Taiwan indigenous chickens exposed to acute heat stress. One hundred and ninety-two 30-week-old roosters were subjected to acute heat stress. Changes in body temperature (BT, ΔT) were calculated by measuring the difference between the initial BT and the highest BT during heat stress and the results were categorized into dead, susceptible, tolerant, and intermediate groups depending on their survival and ΔT values at the end of the experiment. A genome-wide association study on survival and ΔT values was conducted using the Cochran–Armitage trend test and Fisher’s exact test. Association analyses identified 80 significant SNPs being annotated to 23 candidate genes, 440 SNPs to 71 candidate genes, 64 SNPs to 25 candidate genes, and 378 SNPs to 78 candidate genes in the dead versus survivor, tolerant versus susceptible, intermediate versus tolerant, and intermediate versus susceptible groups, respectively. The annotated genes were associated with apoptosis, cellular stress responses, DNA repair, and metabolic oxidative stress. In conclusion, the identified SNPs of candidate genes provide insights into the potential mechanisms underlying physiological responses to acute heat stress in chickens

Effect of Acupuncture on Intraocular Pressure in Glaucoma Patients: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Glaucoma is characterized by the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells that cause progressive optic neuropathy, finally resulting in changes to the optic nerve head. Lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only method proven for treating glaucoma. Several studies have discovered that acupuncture can reduce IOP and also increase ocular perfusion and ocular blood flow. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of acupuncture on IOP in glaucoma patients. We conducted a single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial involving 45 glaucoma patients. The results indicated that the difference between the IOP 60 min after the intervention and IOP immediately before the intervention was greater in the acupuncture group (AG) and electroacupuncture group (EG) than in the sham group (SG) for all four of the interventions performed and in both eyes (all p<0.05). The IOP difference between immediately before the first intervention and after finishing the final intervention was also greater in the AG and EG than in the SG in both eyes (all p<0.05). In conclusion, IOP was reduced at 60 min after acupuncture or electroacupuncture was performed at BL1 and EX-HN7. Additionally, IOP was reduced after finishing four acupuncture or electroacupuncture sessions. Therefore, our results suggest that acupuncture and electroacupuncture are beneficial for lowering IOP in glaucoma patients. This trial is registered with NCT04157530

Genome-wide association study on the body temperature changes of a broiler-type strain Taiwan country chickens under acute heat stress

Body temperature is the simplest parameter for evaluating the physiological conditions of animals under thermal stress. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified candidate genes related to economic traits in domestic animals. The present study conducted a GWAS on body temperature changes in a broiler-type strain Taiwan country chickens (TCCs) under acute heat stress. A total of two hundred 30-week-old roosters of a broiler-type strain TCCs were used. The roosters were subjected to acute heat stress at 38 °C for 4 h, and their body temperature was recorded before and during heat stress. The change in body temperature (ΔT) of each rooster was calculated according to the difference between the initial temperature and the highest body temperature during heat stress. The roosters were categorized according to survival and ΔT at the end into dead, susceptible, resistant, and intermediate groups. Collected red blood cells were genotyped using a 600 K chicken single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. A GWAS for ΔT was conducted using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. Significant SNPs were annotated as candidate genes according to the nearest genes. Results indicated that the ΔT of the heat-resistant group was significantly lower than that of the heat-susceptible group. A total of 17 SNPs belonging to 8 candidate genes, 352 SNPs for 78 candidate genes, and 174 significant SNPs for 63 candidate genes were identified in the association analyses in the dead vs. survival, resistant vs. susceptible, and intermediate vs. susceptible groups, respectively. The annotated candidate genes are associated with apoptosis, cellular response to external stimuli, and signal transduction pathways. In conclusion, the significant SNPs located in and proximal to genes in the GWAS analysis were related to apoptosis or responses to external stimuli which serve as potential candidates underlying physiological adaptation to heat stress or thermotolerance in chickens