No abstract

The T329S mutation in flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) impairs the trimethylamine (TMA) metabolism in laying hens. The TMA metabolic pathway is closely linked to lipid metabolic diseases, such as atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease. We aimed to evaluate the effects of the T329S mutation in FMO3 on lipid metabolism in chickens during the late laying period. We selected 18 FMO3 genotyped individuals (consisting of six AA, six AT, and six TT hens) with similar body weight and production performance. The lipid metabolism and deposition characteristics of the laying hens with different genotypes were compared. The T329S mutation moderated the serum-lipid parameters in TT hens compared to those in AA and AT hens from 49 to 62 weeks. Furthermore, it reduced the serum trimethylamine N-oxide concentrations and increased the serum total bile acid (p < 0.05) and related lipid transporter levels in TT hens. Moreover, it significantly (p < 0.01) decreased atherosclerotic lesions and hepatic steatosis in TT hens compared to those in the AA and AT hens. Our findings may help improve the health status in laying hens during the late laying period.

The cuticle formed in the uterus is the outermost layer as the first defense line of eggshell against microbial invasions in most avian species, and analyzing its genetic regulation and influencing factors are of great importance to egg biosecurity in poultry production worldwide. The current study compared the uterine transcriptome and proteome of laying hens producing eggs with good and poor cuticle quality (GC and PC, the top and tail of the cuticle quality distribution), and identified several genes involved with eggshell cuticle quality (ESCQ). Overall, transcriptomic analysis identified 53 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PC versus GC group hens, among which 25 were up-regulated and 28 were down-regulated. No differences were found in the uterine proteome. Several DEGs, including PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR related to uterine functions and reproductive hormones, were validated by qPCR analysis. Egg quality measurements between GC and PC hens showed GC hens had longer laying interval between two consecutive ovipositions (25.64 ± 1.23 vs 24.94 ± 1.12 h) and thicker eggshell thickness (352.01 ± 23.04 vs 316.20 ± 30.58 μm) (P < 0.05). Apart from eggshell traits, other egg quality traits didn’t differ. The result demonstrated eggshell and cuticle deposition duration in the uterus is one of the major factors affecting ESCQ in laying hens. PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR genes were discovered and might play crucial roles in cuticle deposition by regulating the uterine muscular activities and secretion function. The findings in the present study provide new insights into the genetic regulation of cuticle deposition in laying hens and establish a foundation for further investigations.

Background: Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is a soft tissue sarcoma that commonly occurs in late adult life. It is mainly located in the subcutaneous soft tissues of extremities characterized by a high recurrence rate at the original site. MFS of the head and neck is rare, while it occurs in the maxilla and mandible is extremely rare. Case presentation: We report a case of MFS of the mandible in a 51-year-old female who presented with a painless gingival swelling and mobile, super-erupted right mandibular second and third molars. Panoramic x-ray and maxillofacial CT revealed an ill-defined radiolucent lesion surrounding the mandibular molars giving a teethfloating-in-air appearance. Histopathological examination showed scattered spindle and stellate cells with mild atypia distributed in the myxoid stroma. Only a few mitotic figures were identified and no area of tissue necrosis was found. The characteristic thin-walled and curvilinear vasculature were prominent. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed the tumor cells being positive for vimentin and vascular CD31. CK, S-100, P63, HHF-35 stains were negative. The labeling index of Ki-67 was about 30%. Based on the histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations, the diagnosis of a low-grade MFS was established. This patient underwent a radical segmental excision with a 2-cm margin, supraomohyoid neck dissection and immediate reconstruction of the mandibular continuity defect with a fibular osteocutaneous free flap. This patient has been followed for 20 months to date and has remained disease free. Conclusions: This report describes a rare case of MFS of the mandible. Recognizing the histopathological features of MFS and applying the appropriate immunohistochemical examinations are crucial in establishing the correct diagnosis. Our case may provide diagnosis and treatment experiences of MFS occurs in the mandible.

Background Most duck eggs possess a fishy odor, indicating that ducks generally exhibit impaired trimethylamine (TMA) metabolism. TMA accumulation is responsible for this unpleasant odor, and TMA metabolism plays an essential role in trimethylaminuria (TMAU), also known as fish odor syndrome. In this study, we focused on the unusual TMA metabolism mechanism in ducks, and further explored the unclear reasons leading to the debilitating TMA metabolism. Methods To achieve this, transcriptome, proteome, and metagenome analyses were first integrated based on the constructed duck populations with high and low TMA metabolism abilities. Additionally, further experiments were conducted to validate the hypothesis regarding the limited flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) metabolism ability of ducks. Results The study demonstrated that liver FMO3 and cecal microbes, including Akkermansia and Mucispirillum, participated in TMA metabolism in ducks. The limited oxidation ability of FMO3 explains the weakening of TMA metabolism in ducks. Nevertheless, it decreases lipid deposition and increases antibacterial activity, contributing to its survival and reproduction during the evolutionary adaptation process. Conclusions This study demonstrated the function of FMO3 and intestinal microbes in regulating TMA metabolism and illustrated the biological significance of FMO3 impairment in ducks.

Background: The cuticle formed in the uterus is the outermost layer as the first defense line of eggshell against microbial invasions in most avian species, and analyzing its genetic regulation and influencing factors are of great importance to egg biosecurity in poultry production worldwide. The current study compared the uterine transcriptome and proteome of laying hens producing eggs with good and poor cuticle quality (GC and PC, the top and tail of the cuticle quality distribution), and identified several genes involved with eggshell cuticle quality (ESCQ).Results: Overall, transcriptomic analysis identified 53 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PC vs GC group hens, among which 25 were up-regulated and 28 were down-regulated. No differences were found in the uterine proteome. Several DEGs, including PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR related to uterine functions and reproductive hormones, were validated by qPCR analysis. Egg quality measurements between GC and PC hens showed GC hens had longer laying interval between two consecutive ovipositions (25.64 ± 1.23 vs 24.94 ± 1.12 h) and thicker eggshell thickness (352.01 ± 23.04 vs 316.20 ± 30.58 μm) (P < 0.05). Apart from eggshell traits, other egg quality traits didn’t differ. The results above suggested the expression patterns of PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR genes in the uterus regulated the muscular activity rhythm and secretion function, which ensured the eggshell and cuticle deposition duration, and lead to the good ESCQ of the GC hens.Conclusions：The present study demonstrated eggshell and cuticle deposition duration in the uterus is one of the major factors affecting ESCQ in laying hens. PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR genes were discovered and might play crucial roles in cuticle deposition by regulating the uterine muscular activities and secretion function. The findings in the present study provide new insights into the genetic regulation of cuticle deposition in laying hens and establish a foundation for further investigations.

No abstract

Background: The cuticle formed in the uterus is the outermost layer as the first defense line of eggshell against microbial invasions in most avian species, and analyzing its genetic regulation and influencing factors are of great importance to egg biosecurity in poultry production. The current study compared the uterine transcriptome and proteome of laying hens producing eggs with good and poor cuticle deposition (GC and PC, the top and tail of the cuticle deposition distribution), and identified several genes involved with eggshell cuticle deposition.Results: Overall, transcriptomic analysis identified 53 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PC vs GC group hens, among which 25 were up-regulated and 28 were down-regulated. No differences were found in the uterine proteome. Several up-regulated DEGs of PC vs GC hen uterus, including PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR related to uterine functions and reproductive hormones, were validated by qPCR analysis. Phenotypic measurements for verification between GC and PC hens showed GC hens had longer laying interval between two consecutive ovipositions (25.64 ± 1.23 vs 24.94 ± 1.12 h), thicker eggshell thickness (352.01 ± 23.04 vs 316.20 ± 30.58 μm) and more laying days (20.67 ± 2.58 vs 18.48 ± 2.46) within 27 laying days (P < 0.05). Apart from eggshell traits, other egg quality traits didn’t differ. The results above suggested that the expression patterns of PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR genes in the uterus regulated the muscular activity rhythm and secretion function, which ensured the eggshell and cuticle formation duration, and lead to the good eggshell and cuticle quality of the GC hens.Conclusions: The present study demonstrated eggshell and cuticle secretion duration in the uterus is one of the major factors affecting eggshell cuticle deposition in laying hens. PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR genes were discovered and might play crucial roles in cuticle deposition by regulating the uterine muscular activities and secretion function. Moreover, the cuticle is associated with the eggshell quality and laying performance, implying the importance of selection to the cuticle trait in laying hens. The findings in present study provide new insights into the genetic regulation of cuticle deposition in laying hens and establish a foundation for further investigations.