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The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproduction and production performance and meat quality characteristics of KBF4, a crossbreed of South African Kalaha (SK) and Guizhou black (GB) goats (5/11 SK lineage and 11/16 GB lineage), which was developed through molecular breeding and hybridization after four generations of breeding in six years. KBF4 showed overall improved production performance and meat quality, which were between those of its parents. The lambing rate (LR), survival rate (SR), daily weight gain (DWG) during the first three months of age, adult body weight (ABW), and dressing percentage (DP) of KBF4 were 195.0%, 95.3%, 275.5 g, 55.8 kg, and 53.5%, respectively. The pH of the meat of KBF4 was higher than that of its parents, which corroborated the meat of KBF4 had lower drip loss (DL) and moisture content (MC). In addition, the meat of KBF4 showed decreased ash content of decreased and increased contents of crude protein (CP) and intramuscular fat (IMF) compared with the parents. The amino acid score of the meat of KBF4 was lower than that of its parents, but the amino acid composition and the taste profile were basically consistent with those of SK, and KBF4 was slightly inferior to GB in terms of sweet and umami taste. The contents of essential fatty acids (EFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increased in the meat of KBF4 compared with its parents, and the contents of beneficial fatty acids including oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenioc acid (DHA) increased compared with GB. The hypocholesterolemic fatty acid (DFA) values of KBF4 increased significantly, while the arteriosclerosis index (AI), thrombosis index (TI), and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio decreased significantly compared with those of GB, indicating a reduced cardiovascular disease risk. The major factors influencing the meat quality of KBF4 and its parents included DWG, MUFA, taste-active amino acids (AA), SFA, MC, EFA, PUFA, ABW, DP, CP, DL, IMF, and aromatic AA. In conclusion, KBF4 exhibited greatly improved production efficiency and enhanced meat quality in terms of tenderness, juiciness, and nutrition. Its amino acid and fatty acid composition was more similar to that of SK overall.

ObjectiveA TaqMan-based real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （PCR） method was established to detect Clostridium perfringens （C. perfringens） in tap water samples.MethodsThe highly conserved plc gene located in the pseudonucleus of the bacterium was amplified and specific primers and TaqMan probes were designed. After optimization， a TaqMan-based real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR detection method was established. Combined with the filter membrane method， simulated polluted water samples of standard strains containing plc genes were treated， and the established method was tested.ResultsThe established TaqMan-based method for detecting C. perfringens showed high specificity. Ct >40 were found in 13 foodborne pathogens， 3 Clostridium difficile and 1 Clostridium putrefaciens strain. The detection limit of this method was 1×10 copies/μL， showing high sensitivity. The minimum detection limit for the simulated polluted water sample was 1.0×102 CFU/mL. This method was also used to detect 4 simulated water contamination samples and 90 imported water samples. The results showed that C. perfringens could be detected in 2 simulated 1.0×102 CFU/mL-contaminated water samples， while not in 2 simulated 1.0×10 CFU/mL-contaminated and imported water samples.ConclusionThe TaqMan real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method established in this study for the detection of C. perfringens has good specificity， high sensitivity， and practical value for detecting C. perfringens in water samples.

AIM:To explore the effect of high aspherical lenticule on controlling low myopia.METHODS: Prospective study. A total of 100 patients aged 7 to 12 years old with low myopia who visited our hospital from May 1 to 31, 2022 were collected. They were divided into two groups with 50 cases in each group according to the wishes of patients. The control group was given single vision glasses after optometry, while the study group was given high aspherical lenticule. The myopia progression(absolute value), axial length(AL)growth, transition rate to moderate myopia, and AL negative growth rate over 6 mo and 1 a were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: The myopia progression and the AL growth of study group was lower than that of the control group after 6 mo and 1 a(all P

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are multifactorial chronic diseases and have the highest rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) plays a crucial role in posttranslational modification and quality control of proteins, maintaining intracellular homeostasis via degradation of misfolded, short-lived, or nonfunctional regulatory proteins. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs, such as microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs and small interfering RNAs) serve as epigenetic factors and directly or indirectly participate in various physiological and pathological processes. NcRNAs that regulate ubiquitination or are regulated by the UPS are involved in the execution of target protein stability. The cross-linked relationship between the UPS, ncRNAs and CVDs has drawn researchers’ attention. Herein, we provide an update on recent developments and perspectives on how the crosstalk of the UPS and ncRNAs affects the pathological mechanisms of CVDs, particularly myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and ischemic stroke. In addition, we further envision that RNA interference or ncRNA mimics or inhibitors targeting the UPS can potentially be used as therapeutic tools and strategies.

Purpose: Deregulation or mutation of the EZH2 gene causes various tumors, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Although several splice variants of EZH2 have been identified, little is known about how EZH2 splicing is regulated or the contribution of alternative splicing to its protumorigenic functions.Experimental Design: We conducted RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and IHC techniques to examine EZH2 and its alternative splicing transcript expression in renal cancer tissue and renal cancer cell lines. Proliferation, migration, clonogenicity, and tumorigenicity of renal cancer cells either exhibiting knockdown of EZH2 or its splicing factor SF3B3 were assessed by CCK8, Transwell assay, and murine xenograft experiments.Results: We found that the inclusion of alternative EZH2 exon 14 was significantly increased in ccRCC samples and renal cancer cell lines. In ccRCC lines, enforced expression of EZH2Δ14 inhibited, and EZH2 promoted, cell growth, migration, proliferation, and tumorigenicity in a xenograft model. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that EZH2Δ14 isoform functions as a dominant-negative inhibitor of full-length EZH2. Coexpression of EZH2Δ14 variant with full-length EZH2 not only abrogated DAB2IP and HOXA9 suppression but also inhibited EZH2-driven tumorigenesis. Strikingly, the splicing factor SF3B3 stimulates inclusion of exon14 and has pro-proliferative activity. Importantly, the upregulation of SF3B3 expression observed in clinical ccRCC samples parallels the increased inclusion of EZH2 exon14, and the SF3B3 level is associated with higher tumor stage and poor overall survival.Conclusions: These results suggest SF3B3 as a key regulator of EZH2 pre-mRNA splicing and SF3B3 may represent a novel prognostic factor and potential therapeutic target in ccRCC. Clin Cancer Res; 23(13); 3428-41. ©2016 AACR.