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Poultry Science Apr 2023Egg production performance plays an important role in the poultry industry across the world. Previous studies have shown a great difference in egg production performance...
Egg production performance plays an important role in the poultry industry across the world. Previous studies have shown a great difference in egg production performance between pendulous-comb (PC) and upright-comb (UC) chickens. However, there are no reports to identify potential candidate genes for egg production in PC and UC chickens. In the present study, 1,606 laying chickens were raised, and the egg laid by individual chicken was collected for 100 d. Moreover, the expression level of estrogen and progesterone hormones was measured at the start-laying and peak-laying periods of hens. Besides, 4 PC and 4 UC chickens were selected at 217 d of age to perform transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and whole genome resequencing (WGS) to screen the potential candidate genes of egg production. The results showed that PC chicken demonstrated better egg production performance (P < 0.05) and higher estrogen and progesterone hormone expression levels than UC chicken (P < 0.05). RNA-seq analysis showed that 341 upregulated and 1,036 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the ovary tissues of PC and UC chickens. These DEGs were mainly enriched in protein-related, lipid-related, and nucleic acids-related biological processes including ribosome, peptide biosynthetic process, lipid transport terms, and catalytic activity acting on RNA which can significantly affect egg production in chicken. The enrichment results of WGS analysis were consistent with RNA-seq. Further, joint analysis of WGS and RNA-seq data was utilized to screen 30 genes and CAMK1D, CLSTN2, MAST2, PIK3C2G, TBC1D1, STK3, ADGRB3, and PPARGC1A were identified as potential candidate genes for egg production in PC and UC chickens. In summary, our study provides a wealth of information for a better understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanism for the future breeding of PC and UC chickens for egg production.
Topics: Animals; Female; Chickens; Transcriptome; Progesterone; Estrogens; Lipids; Gene Expression Profiling
PubMed: 36739803
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102504 -
Veterinary Research Forum : An... 2022The development of tooth is a complex process wherein there is a series of interactions between the ectoderm and ectomesenchyme. Hyperdontia (also called supernumerary...
The development of tooth is a complex process wherein there is a series of interactions between the ectoderm and ectomesenchyme. Hyperdontia (also called supernumerary teeth) is a developmental abnormality being additional to the normal series of teeth with unknown etiology and is rare in ruminants. In this report, a rare case with two abnormal teeth outside the alveolar region, observed in a healthy 3-month-old female lamb was presented. The congenital defect consisted of the presence of 2 teeth positioned bilaterally in the caudal part of the mandible ramus and under the prominent pendulous skin; so, with retraction of prominent pendulous skin, these ectopic teeth were seen outside of the skin. The anomaly was found during a routine physical examination and no other congenital abnormalities were found in the lamb. The etiology of supernumerary teeth is not completely understood. This odontogenic abnormality appears to be an extraordinarily rare condition. Genetic, toxic, infectious or environmental factors related to congenital abnormalities affect the tooth growth. Depending on the supernumerary teeth position, surgery may be required.
PubMed: 36686875
DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2022.544325.3313 -
Frontiers in Surgery 2022Skin-reducing mastectomy has been applied to several surgical techniques in which subcutaneous mastectomy is associated with various types of skin reduction, with...
Superomedial pedicle skin-reducing mastectomy in ptotic and large-sized breasts with two-stage reconstruction through transaxillary video-assisted technique: An effective surgical and anesthetic approach.
INTRODUCTION
Skin-reducing mastectomy has been applied to several surgical techniques in which subcutaneous mastectomy is associated with various types of skin reduction, with preservation of a lower dermal flap to reinforce the inferior lateral seat of an implant. The aim of the study is to present a case series of patients with pendulous/ptotic and/or large-sized breasts treated for breast cancer at the Breast Surgery Unit of Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione "G. Pascale", Naples, Italy, with the superomedial pedicle skin-reducing mastectomy technique, two-stage reconstruction, and transaxillary video-assisted technique, when a postoperative radiotherapy was indicated. We verified its effectiveness by discussing its results, especially in patients who are candidates for postmastectomy radiotherapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A single-center retrospective study was performed between January 2020 and March 2021 on a prospectively filled database of conservative mastectomies. Of the 64 patients who underwent nipple/skin-sparing mastectomies in the mentioned period, 17 (mean age 46 years, range 30-62 years) were treated with superomedial pedicle skin-reducing mastectomy, with two-stage breast reconstruction through transaxillary video-assisted replacement expander with definitive prosthesis and contralateral symmetrization, selected for postmastectomy radiotherapy.
RESULTS
We had only three minor complications. No flap necrosis, no infections, no breast seromas, and no reconstructive failures were observed. During follow-up of the patients treated with video-assisted reconstruction, there were no cases of infection, hematoma, implant rupture, or suture dehiscence in the reconstructed breast.
DISCUSSION
Skin-reducing mastectomy with superomedial pedicle is a safe and reliable procedure to treat breast cancer in selected patients, i.e., those with pendulous/ptotic and or large-sized breasts. Particularly, in patients who undergo postmastectomy radiotherapy, the two-stage reconstruction with video-assisted transaxillary endoscopic approach can find its main indication, using incisions positioned far from the mammary region, offering numerous advantages.
PubMed: 36684343
DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.1040602 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2022Tropical vines and lianas have evolved mechanisms to avoid mechanical damage during their climbing life histories. We explore the mechanical properties and stem...
Tropical vines and lianas have evolved mechanisms to avoid mechanical damage during their climbing life histories. We explore the mechanical properties and stem development of a tropical climber that develops trellises in tropical rain forest canopies. We measured the young stems of (Apocynaceae) that construct complex trellises self-supporting shoots, attached stems, and unattached pendulous stems. The results suggest that, in this species, there is a size (stem diameter) and developmental threshold at which plant shoots will make the developmental transition from stiff young shoots to later flexible stem properties. Shoots that do not find a support remain stiff, becoming pendulous and retaining numerous leaves. The formation of a second TYPE II (lianoid) wood is triggered by attachment, guaranteeing increased flexibility of light-structured shoots that transition from self-supporting searchers to inter-connected net-like trellis components. The results suggest that this species shows a "hard-wired" development that limits self-supporting growth among the slender stems that make up a liana trellis. The strategy is linked to a stem-twining climbing mode and promotes a rapid transition to flexible trellis elements in cluttered densely branched tropical forest habitats. These are situations that are prone to mechanical perturbation wind action, tree falls, and branch movements. The findings suggest that some twining lianas are mechanically fine-tuned to produce trellises in specific habitats. Trellis building is carried out by young shoots that can perform very different functions subtle development changes to ensure a safe space occupation of the liana canopy.
PubMed: 36600917
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1016195 -
Protoplasma May 2023Mabea fistulifera, a species pollinated mainly by diurnal and nocturnal vertebrates, presents pendulous inflorescences with approximately 70 pairs of nuptial nectaries...
Mabea fistulifera, a species pollinated mainly by diurnal and nocturnal vertebrates, presents pendulous inflorescences with approximately 70 pairs of nuptial nectaries (NNs). These NNs exude voluminous nectar drops that defy gravity, remaining exposed at the inflorescence for more than a day. We aimed to investigate the NN secretory process and the unique nectar presentation of M. fistulifera. NNs and their exudate were collected at different secretory stages and submitted to structural studies and chemical analysis. The epidermis is devoid of stomata and constitutes the main site of synthesis for non-sugar metabolites found on nectar and nectar-coating film. Nectary parenchyma presents few small starch grains, and vascular strands are distributed until the nectary parenchyma cells close to the epidermis. Vascular tissues at the nectary parenchyma seem to provide sugar and water for the nectar. A film composed of lipids, alkaloids, and proteins covers the nectar drops. The film guarantees the nectar offering for several hours, as it minimizes water loss and prevents falls by gravitational action. The release of large nectar drops is intrinsically linked to the NN anatomical traits and the exudate composition. Low sugar concentration and predominance of hexoses in M. fistulifera nectar are essential for maintaining nectar exudation for many hours, which results in the visitation of a broad spectrum of pollinators.
Topics: Animals; Plant Nectar; Flowers; Euphorbiaceae; Secretory Pathway; Carbohydrates
PubMed: 36445484
DOI: 10.1007/s00709-022-01824-4 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2022In the field of ultra high accuracy inertial measurement unit (IMU), pendulous integrating gyroscopic accelerometer (PIGA) has become a research hot spot due to its...
In the field of ultra high accuracy inertial measurement unit (IMU), pendulous integrating gyroscopic accelerometer (PIGA) has become a research hot spot due to its high-end performance. However, PIGA is sensitive to angular velocity, and the calibration process of PIGA-based IMU will be very complicated, which makes online self-calibration difficult to implement. To solve the above problems, we proposed an online self-calibration method utilizing angular velocity observation. The main contributions of this study are twofold: (1) An error analysis of PIGA is conducted in this paper, and the error model has also been simplified to suit the self-calibration model. (2) An improved online self-calibration method utilizing angular observation based on a simplified PIGA error model is proposed in this study. Experimental results show that the self-calibration method proposed in this study can improve the PIGA online calibration accuracy effectively (with the accuracy within 0.02 m/s/pulse), which can improve the dynamic accuracy of the PIGA.
PubMed: 36365833
DOI: 10.3390/s22218136 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2022The bias stability performance of accelerometers is essential for an inertial navigation system. The traditional pendulous accelerometer usually has a flexible...
The bias stability performance of accelerometers is essential for an inertial navigation system. The traditional pendulous accelerometer usually has a flexible connection structure, which could limit the long-term bias stability. Here, based on the main technologies employed in previous space missions of our group, we developed a terrestrial triaxial navigation-compatible accelerometer. Because there is no mechanical connection between the inertial test mass and the frame, the bias performance relies on the stability of the equivalent electrostatic spring, where further sources are analyzed to get the optimal electrostatic force scheme. To investigate the bias stability under different ranges, the vertical and horizontal measurement ranges are designed at 5 g and ±10 mg, respectively. A low-noise high-voltage levitation scheme is adopted to extend the vertical measurement range from sub-mg to more than earth's 1-g gravity. Finally, the experimental validation results show that the 24-h bias stability of vertical and two horizontal directions come to 13.8 μg, 0.84 μg, and 0.77 μg, respectively.
PubMed: 36365801
DOI: 10.3390/s22218102 -
ANZ Journal of Surgery May 2023Traditional siting of stomas, in the lower abdomen, has been guided by surgical dogma lacking evidence. In the lower abdomen, the combination of a thick and pendulous...
BACKGROUND
Traditional siting of stomas, in the lower abdomen, has been guided by surgical dogma lacking evidence. In the lower abdomen, the combination of a thick and pendulous abdominal apron, can create a challenging and suboptimal site for a stoma. The anatomical determinant limiting delivery of a stoma to the abdominal skin is the distance of the SMA from the lower border of the pancreas. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the distance between the traditional stoma site, and upper abdominal stoma sites, to both the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) origin and SMA at the inferior border of the pancreas on abdominal computed tomography (CT).
METHODS
A cross-sectional study at a single academic university hospital of adult patients who underwent abdominal CT in Australia.
RESULTS
Two hundred and thirteen patients were included. Stoma sites in the upper abdomen were 57-76 mm shorter to the origin of the SMA and inferior border of the pancreas than those positioned at the traditional stoma site (P < 0.001). The mean panniculus thickness in the upper abdomen was 10 mm thinner than in the lower abdomen and increased with increasing BMI (P < 0.001). The ratio between the distance from the xiphisternum to umbilicus, and the umbilicus to pubic symphysis, was 1.10; this ratio increased with increasing BMI.
CONCLUSION
The distance of the SMA to the skin is always shorter in the upper abdomen compared to the traditional stoma site. Consideration should be given to placing stomas in the upper abdomen, particularly in overweight or obese patients.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Mesenteric Artery, Superior; Prospective Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Mesenteric Arteries; Abdominal Wall
PubMed: 36345119
DOI: 10.1111/ans.18132 -
The Journal of Craniofacial SurgeryGiant lipomas are uncommon in the neck or craniofacial region. A 55-year-old male presented with a large pendulous mass arising from the dorsal aspect of his neck, which...
Giant lipomas are uncommon in the neck or craniofacial region. A 55-year-old male presented with a large pendulous mass arising from the dorsal aspect of his neck, which he had known about for 20 years. Discomfort during sleeping, frequent headaches, and chronic neck pain were his chief complaints. Computed topography revealed a well-circumscribed lipomatous lesion. A decrease in cervical spine lordosis was noted on sagittal x-rays. Surgical excision with local flap coverage was performed. The specimen weighed 2800 g. The patient reported immediate resolution of neck pain, and complete resolution of headaches following surgery. An increase in the degree of lordosis was seen in sagittal x-rays. Histopathological results confirmed the diagnosis of lipoma. Although most giant dorsal neck lipomas are benign, they may be a cause for neck pain, headaches and degenerative changes in the cervical spine, undermining the quality of life. Such symptoms should be assessed, and removal recommended.
Topics: Headache; Humans; Lipoma; Male; Middle Aged; Neck; Neck Pain; Quality of Life
PubMed: 36041133
DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000008683 -
Avian Diseases Oct 2022Two hens from two backyard chicken flocks were presented to a private veterinary practice specializing in poultry, both with a chief complaint of crop distention. Crop...
Two hens from two backyard chicken flocks were presented to a private veterinary practice specializing in poultry, both with a chief complaint of crop distention. Crop impaction was diagnosed based on physical examinations and radiographic findings. The hens were admitted for ingluviotomy surgery to remove the impacted fibrous material under local anesthesia. Even though one of the hens was diagnosed with pendulous crop, both hens recovered uneventfully after ingluviotomy and postoperative care. Follow-up examinations and interviews with the owners confirmed excellent long-term recovery.
Topics: Anesthetics; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Chickens; Female; Poultry Diseases; Prognosis
PubMed: 36017909
DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-D-22-00024