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Simple Summary: The lungs are key organs in mammals that shows adaptive changes in response to high altitude, and yaks (Bos grunniens) have adapted their lungs well to the hypoxic environment of Tibetan Plateau after a long period of evolution and natural selection. However, the long-term life of lowland cattle on the plateau can cause symptoms such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, wherein the abnormal proliferation of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells leads to the remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature, which is the main cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension. The underlying molecular mechanisms of lung adaptation to hypoxia in yaks remain largely unknown. In this study, we constructed stably transfected yak cell lines overexpressing PDK1 via lentiviral transfection, and we cultured yellow cattle and yak PASMCs, as well as PDK1-OEcon/OE, under normoxia and 10% O2 to explore the effects of hypoxia on the PDK1 and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways in yak PASMCs. This will provide theoretical data at the cellular and molecular levels, along with basic information to further elucidate the mechanism of the PDK1-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in yak PASMCs induced by hypoxia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hypoxia-induced phenotype, glucose metabolism, ROS levels, and the PDK1-mediated regulation of TGF-β/Smad signaling in yellow cattles, yaks, and those overexpressing PDK1 PASMCs using growth curves, flow cytometry, scratch experiments, glucose and lactic acid assays, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting. The results showed that hypoxia significantly promoted proliferation, migration, antiapoptosis, ROS levels, glucose consumption, and lactate production in yellow cattle PASMCs (p < 0.05), and the cells were dedifferentiated from the contractile phenotype; conversely, hypoxia had no significant effect on yak PASMCs (p > 0.05). PDK1 overexpression significantly promoted proliferation, antiapoptosis, glucose consumption, and lactate production in yak PASMCs under normoxia and hypoxia (p < 0.05), decreased their migration levels under hypoxia (p < 0.05), and dedifferentiated the contractile phenotype of the cells. Overexpression of PDK1 in yak PASMCs is detrimental to their adaptation to hypoxic environments. Yak PASMCs adapted to the effects of hypoxia on lung tissue by downregulating the expression of genes related to the PDK1 and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways. Taken together, the regulation of PDK1-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling may be involved in the process of yaks' adaptation to the hypoxic environment of the plateau, reflecting the good adaptive ability of yaks. The present study provides basic information to further elucidate the mechanism of PDK1-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling induced by hypoxia in the lungs of yaks, as well as target genes for the treatment of plateau diseases in humans and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective： This study aimed to study the preservation effect of ozone water sterilization combined with chitosan coating on cold fresh yellow cattle. Methods： Three groups were set up as follows: control group A (pure water treatment), experimental group B used 2% chitosan coating on cold fresh yellow cattle, and experimental group C used ozone water sterilization combined with 2% chitosan coating on cold fresh yellow cattle. The effect of ozone sterilization combined with chitosan coating on the preservation of cold fresh yellow cattle was examined using sensory score, chromaticity (L* and a* values), hanging loss rate, TVB-N and total bacterial count. Results： The concentration of ozone water for sterilization was 1.0 mg/L, and the flushing time was 20s. During the same storage period, the sensory and L* values of cold fresh yellow cattle in Group C were significantly higher than those in Group A and Group B (P＜0.05), the hanging loss rate, TVB-N and total viable count were significantly lower than those in Group A and Group B (P＜0.05). The a* value of Group C yellow cattle was significantly lower than those in Group A and Group B (P＜0.05) in the early storage period, but the decline rate in the late storage period was significantly lower than that in Group A and Group B (P＜0.05). Compared with the control group A and experimental group B, the shelf life of group C was extended by 12 days and 4 days, respectively. Conclusion： Ozone sterilization and chitosan coating technology played a synergistic role in the preservation of cold fresh yellow cattle, which can effectively extend its preservation and storage period.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hypoxia-induced phenotype, glucose metabolism, ROS levels, and the PDK1-mediated regulation of TGF-β/Smad signaling in yellow cattles, yaks, and those overexpressing PDK1 PASMCs using growth curves, flow cytometry, scratch experiments, glucose and lactic acid assays, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting. The results showed that hypoxia significantly promoted proliferation, migration, antiapoptosis, ROS levels, glucose consumption, and lactate production in yellow cattle PASMCs (p < 0.05), and the cells were dedifferentiated from the contractile phenotype; conversely, hypoxia had no significant effect on yak PASMCs (p > 0.05). PDK1 overexpression significantly promoted proliferation, antiapoptosis, glucose consumption, and lactate production in yak PASMCs under normoxia and hypoxia (p < 0.05), decreased their migration levels under hypoxia (p < 0.05), and dedifferentiated the contractile phenotype of the cells. Overexpression of PDK1 in yak PASMCs is detrimental to their adaptation to hypoxic environments. Yak PASMCs adapted to the effects of hypoxia on lung tissue by downregulating the expression of genes related to the PDK1 and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways. Taken together, the regulation of PDK1-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling may be involved in the process of yaks’ adaptation to the hypoxic environment of the plateau, reflecting the good adaptive ability of yaks. The present study provides basic information to further elucidate the mechanism of PDK1-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling induced by hypoxia in the lungs of yaks, as well as target genes for the treatment of plateau diseases in humans and animals.

The purpose of this study was to compare between the histochemical characteristics and the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and it's receptor (EGFR) in the submandibular gland (SMG) of adult yaks and yellow cattle. The SMG tissues of yaks and yellow cattles were collected for histochemical, immunohistochemical (IHC), immunofluorescence (F‐IHC)，real‐time quantitative polymerasechain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and Western blotting methods. The results showed that the striated ducts of SMG were highly developed and connected to the intercalated ducts, which were shorter and directly connected to the acini. Compared with yellow cattle, yak SMG contains more mucous acini. Immunofluorescence showed significant expression of EGF and its receptor in both striated and intercalated ducts of these two species of cattle. Statistical analysis divulged that the distribution density of EGF and EGFR in the SMG of the yak was both significantly higher than that in yellow cattle (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression of EGF and EGFR in yak SMG was also higher than that in yellow cattle. The above results indicated that the intercalated ducts and striated ducts are the main expression sites of EGF and EGFR, the acidic mucin and EGF secreted from SMG of yak were more than that from yellow cattle. The results of this study provide powerful data for the study of physiological functions of submaxillary gland in ruminants and also provide important clues for the study of adaptive physiological mechanisms in plateau organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to examine the influence of uni and bilateral castration on growth performance and lipid metabolism in yellow cattle. Eighteen 9-month-old healthy yellow cattle (average body weight 184.03 ± 4.09 kg) were selected and divided into three groups: The uncastrated cattle (C), half castrated cattle (HC) and full castrated cattle (FC). The results showed that the growth rate of FC group was significantly reduced as compared to HC and C group, while the feed to gain ratio exhibited an opposite trend. The concentrations of triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were increased significantly in FC group from day 60 to the end of the trial compared to HC and control groups. Serum testosterone concentration of FC group cattle was decreased from day 60 to 120 d of the trial compared to HC and control groups. The concentration of the lauric acid in FC cattle was significantly increased from the HC and control groups. In the FC group, the acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (ACACA), ACC and fatty acid synthase (FAS) gene expression levels were significantly higher compared to control and HC groups. Our results of this study suggest that bilateral castration increased the lipid metabolism and fatty acid composition compared to unilateral castrated and un-castrated cattle. Bilateral castration alters the growth performance in yellow cattle. Bilateral castration alters hormones levels and lipid metabolites levels in serum. Bilateral castration improves the lipid metabolism and fatty acid profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Yellow cattle and water buffalo are important natural reservoir hosts and the main transmission sources of Schistosoma japonicum in endemic areas of China. The worms from the two hosts have marked differences in general worm morphology and ultrastructure, gene transcription and protein expression profiles. Results To investigate microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the regulation of schistosome development and survival, we compared miRNA expression profiles of adult schistosomes derived from yellow cattle and water buffalo by using high-throughput sequencing with Illumina Hiseq Xten. Schistosoma japonicum from water buffalo and yellow cattle yielded 63.78 million and 63.21 million reads, respectively, of which nearly 50% and 49% could be mapped to selected miRNAs in miRbase. A total of 206 miRNAs were identified, namely 79 previously annotated miRNAs of S. japonicum and 127 miRNAs that matched with the S. japonicum genome and were highly similar to the annotated miRNAs from other organisms. Among the 79 miRNAs, five (sja-miR-124-3p, sja-miR-219-5p, sja-miR-2e-3p, sja-miR-7-3p and sja-miR-3490) were significantly upregulated in the schistosomes from water buffalo compared with those from yellow cattle. A total of 268 potential target genes were predicted for these five differentially expressed miRNAs. Eleven differentially expressed targets were confirmed by qRT-PCR among 15 tested targets, one of which was further validated through dual-luciferase reporter assay. Among the 127 ‘possible’ S. japonicum miRNAs, ten were significantly differentially expressed in the schistosomes from these two hosts. Conclusions These results highlight the important roles of miRNAs in regulating the development and survival of schistosomes in water buffalo and yellow cattle and facilitate understanding of the miRNA regulatory mechanisms in schistosomes derived from different susceptible hosts.

Based on the general situation and genetic diversity of yellow cattle breed resources in China, this paper discusses the protection, development and utilization of Chinese yellow cattle breed resources, in order to provide reference basis for the development, utilization and sustainable development of local yellow cattle breeds in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trichomonad species Tetratrichomonas buttreyi and Pentatrichomonas hominis have been reported in the bovine digestive tract in only a few studies, and the prevalence and pathogenicity of these two protists in cattle herds remain unknown. In this study, the prevalence of T. buttreyi and P. hominis in yellow cattle, dairy cattle, and water buffalo in Anhui Province, China, was determined with a PCR analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. The overall infection rates for T. buttreyi and P. hominis were 8.1% and 5.4%, respectively. Double infections were found in 15 (1.6%) samples from four farms. The prevalence of P. hominis in cattle with abnormal feces was significantly higher than that in cattle with normal feces (χ2 = 13.0, p < 0.01), and the prevalence of T. buttreyi in the northern region of Anhui Province was also significantly higher than that in the mid region (χ2 = 16.6, p < 0.01). Minor allelic variations were detected in the T. buttreyi isolates from cattle in this study, as in other hosts in previous studies. Morphological observations, together with the PCR analysis, demonstrated that the trichomonads isolated in this study were P. hominis. The presence of T. buttreyi and P. hominis indicated that cattle are natural hosts of these two trichomonads and could be a potential source of P. hominis infections in humans and other animal hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular tests revealed influenza D viruses of D/OK lineage widely circulating in farmed animal species in Guangdong Province, southern China. In particular, we found high levels of influenza D virus infection in goats and pigs. We also detected viral RNA in serum specimens and feces of animals with certain severe diseases.

Brucellosis and Toxoplasmosis are important zoonotic diseases, and Neospora caninum is a parasite causing disease in cattle and other animals. Brucella spp. and N. caninum can cause abortions in cattle, and Toxoplasmosis is a relevant cause of abortion for small ruminants, resulting in economic loses to farmers. In this study, from July 2015 to April 2017, a total of 535 Yanbian yellow cattle blood samples were collected from 3 cities in Jilin Province, China. We detected the frequency of N. caninum, Toxoplasma gondii, and Brucella spp. using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, indirect hemagglutination assay, and real-time PCR methods, respectively. The frequency of Brucella was 7.7% (41/535), and the seroprevalences of N. caninum and T. gondii were 6.2% (33/535) and 5.0% (27/535), respectively. The region, gender, and age of Yanbian yellow cattle were considered as risk factors when analyzed using a logistic regression model. These findings provide the foundation for the prevention and control of infection by these pathogens in Yanbian yellow cattle and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schistosomiasis japonicum is one of the most severe zoonotic diseases in China. Water buffalo and yellow cattle are important reservoir hosts and the main transmission sources of Schistosoma japonicum in endemic areas. The susceptibility of these two hosts to schistosome infection is different, as water buffaloes are less susceptible to S. japonicum than yellow cattle. In this study, iTRAQ-coupled LC-MS/MS was applied to compare the protein expression profiles of adult schistosomes recovered from water buffalo with those of yellow cattle. A total of 131 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified, including 46 upregulated proteins and 85 downregulated proteins. The iTRAQ results were confirmed by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. Further analysis indicated that these DEPs were primarily involved in protein synthesis, transcriptional regulation, protein proteolysis, cytoskeletal structure and oxidative stress response processes. The results revealed that some of the differential expression molecules may affect the development and survival of schistosomes in these two natural hosts. Of note, this study provides useful information for understanding the interplay between schistosomes and their final hosts.

Schistosomiasis japonicum is one of the most severe zoonotic diseases in China. Water buffalo and yellow cattle are important reservoir hosts and the main transmission sources of Schistosoma japonicum in endemic areas. The susceptibility of these two hosts to schistosome infection is different, as water buffaloes are less susceptible to S. japonicum than yellow cattle. In this study, iTRAQ-coupled LC-MS/MS was applied to compare the protein expression profiles of adult schistosomes recovered from water buffalo with those of yellow cattle. A total of 131 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified, including 46 upregulated proteins and 85 downregulated proteins. The iTRAQ results were confirmed by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. Further analysis indicated that these DEPs were primarily involved in protein synthesis, transcriptional regulation, protein proteolysis, cytoskeletal structure and oxidative stress response processes. The results revealed that some of the differential expression molecules may affect the development and survival of schistosomes in these two natural hosts. Of note, this study provides useful information for understanding the interplay between schistosomes and their final hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioactive components in five tisues (longissimus muscle (LSM), biceps femoris muscle (BFM), liver (LV), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and abdominal adipose tissue (AAT)) of yak in Tibet and yellow cattle in Hubei were investigated. Yak was significantly higher (p<0.01) than yellow cattle in the squalene content of lipids of BFM (59.82/19.07 mg/100g), LSM (20.99/7.81 mg/100g) and LV (6.94/2.67 mg/100g), respectively, but not in SAT and AAT (p>0.05). Yak was also significantly higher (p<0.05) than yellow cattle in the total tocopherol content. Additionally, yak hepatic lipids showed the highest content of saturated fatty acids (58.11%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, 25.81%) and the lowest content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA, 16.08%), while yellow cattle AAT had the highest content of MUFA (47.54%) and the lowest content of PUFA (2.36%). The considerable differences between the two in composition suggest that the five tissues of yak are potential sources of bioactive components and essential fatty acids for humans. Practical applications: The results from the analysis of the contents of squalene, tocopherols, total lipids，moisture, ash, and pH and fatty acid profile in the studied tissues of Tibet yak and Hubei yellow cattle provide useful information for developing functional foods using yak meat or other tissues as materials. Comparison of squalene and total tocopherol contents in different tissues of yak and yellow cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

' Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos' is a hemoplasma species found in cattle and has been recently reported in Switzerland and Japan. In this study, ' Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos' was shown to occur in cattle and buffalo in tropical China by PCR amplification and sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene from blood samples. Based on the 16S rDNA sequence, a specific PCR assay was developed. Occurrence of ' Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos' in cattle and buffalo in Guangxi, China, was determined by examining 25 buffalo blood samples, 12 yellow cattle blood samples and 42 dairy cow blood samples. The results showed that 32% (8/25) of buffalo, 41.7% (5/12) of yellow cattle, and 14.3% (6/42) of dairy cows were positive for ' Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos', respectively. Direct sequencing of representative PCR products confirmed that the amplified partial 16S rDNA sequence represented ' Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos'. This is the first report of ' Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos' in buffalo, yellow cattle, and dairy cows in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential relationship between the establishment of Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) persistent infection and gene variation was identified by investigating the variation of VP1 and 3ABC genes from yellow cattle persistent infection isolates. Five yellow cattle were inoculated on their tongue with 1.0×104 ID50/ml of FMDV O/Akesu/58 strain. After displaying clinical or subclinical signs, they probably became asymptomatic carriers. Oesophageal-pharyngeal fluids were collected monthly from the carriers with a probang and inoculated into a baby hamster kidney cell line (BHK-21); 12 FMDV isolates were obtained. The VP1 and 3ABC genes of the 12 isolates were then amplified by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cloning and sequencing revealed that the homology of the VP1 nucleotide and amino-acid sequence of all the isolates was above 98%, with no base deletion or insertion. When compared with the O/Akesu/58 FMDV strain, the homology of the VP1 nucleotide sequence of the isolates was only 85%, and that of the deduced amino-acid sequence only 90%.There were several nucleotide mutations in the VP1 gene of the isolates, including 16 consistent nucleotide mutations, with only two of them leading to a change in amino acid (I56→T, A210→E). Moreover, it was found that four nucleotide points and three amino-acid points had transversions among all isolates. The 3ABC gene had only 13 nucleotide transversions and five amino-acid mutations. It was presumed that persistent FMDV infection might have little connection with variation in the VP1 and 3ABC genes, and was probably related to other structural protein gene and key factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular tests revealed influenza D viruses of D/OK lineage widely circulating in farmed animal species in Guangdong Province, southern China. In particular, we found high levels of influenza D virus infection in goats and pigs. We also detected viral RNA in serum specimens and feces of animals with certain severe diseases.

Background: An experiment was conducted in Vietnam to test the hypothesis that total dry matter (DM) intake and liveweight (LW) gain would increase in a curvilinear manner with increasing amounts of concentrate offered., Method: There were five treatments: a basal diet of Guinea grass fed at 1 % of LW and rice straw fed ad libitum (T0), or this diet supplemented with concentrate at 0.6 (T1), 1.2 (T2), 1.8 (T3), or 2.4 % of LW (T4). The concentrate comprised locally available ingredients, namely cassava chips, rice bran, crushed rice grain, fishmeal, salt, and urea, mixed manually., Results: Concentrate intake increased from T0 to T3, but there was no difference in concentrate intake between T3 and T4. Total feed intake increased in a curvilinear manner from 4.0 to 6.4 kg DM/d as the quantity of concentrate consumed increased. The substitution of concentrate for grass and rice straw increased with increasing consumption of concentrate and was as high as 0.49 kg DM reduction per kg of concentrate consumed. LW gain increased curvilinearly, with significant differences between T0 (0.092 kg/d), T1 (0.58 kg/d) and T2 (0.79 kg/d); but there were no significant differences in LW gain between T2, T3 (0.83 kg/d) and T4 (0.94 kg/d).With increasing amount of concentrate in the diet, the digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and crude fat increased, but NDF digestibility decreased., Conclusion: Based on these results, young Vietnamese Brahman-cross growing cattle will respond to a locally-sourced concentrate mix offered at a level of up to 1.2 % of LW.

Fatty acid (FA) composition of longissimus dorsi intramuscular fat in Black Yak and Chinese Yellow Cattle were evaluated in 44 Black Yak and 41 Chinese Yellow Cattle of both genders. Interactions of species with gender were observed for total saturated fatty acid (SFA), unsaturated fatty acid (UFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, EPA, and DHA concentrations, as well as PUFA/SFA ratio in the longissimus dorsi (p<0.05). The SFA percentage was greater in yellow cattle than yak in both genders but the species difference in heifers was greater than in steers (p<0.05). Yak had greater UFA, MUFA and PUFA percentages than yellow cattle in both steers and heifers (p<0.05) but the difference between yak and yellow cattle heifers was greater than yak and yellow cattle steers. The percentages of inolenic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid; and PUFA/SFA were greater in yak than yellow cattle in both steers and heifers (p<0.05). In addition, the ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA in yak was lesser than in yellow cattle (p<0.05). These results indicated that FA composition generally differed between yak and yellow cattle but the differences were not the same in heifers as compared to steers. Results also suggested that species differences in FA composition tended to favor Black Yak over Chinese Yellow Cattle, indicating that the longissimus dorsi of Black Yak may have a higher nutritive value than that of Chinese Yellow Cattle and potential for development as a desirable natural product.