Pigs are an attractive animal model to study the progression of cancer because of their anatomical and physiological similarities to human. However, the use of pig models for cancer research has been limited by availability of genetically engineered pigs which can recapitulate human cancer progression. Utilizing genome editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 system allows us to generate genetically engineered pigs at a higher efficiency. In this study, specific CRISPR/Cas9 systems were used to target RUNX3, a known tumour suppressor gene, to generate a pig model that can induce gastric cancer in human. First, RUNX3 knockout cell lines carrying genetic modification (monoallelic or biallelic) of RUNX3 were generated by introducing engineered CRISPR/Cas9 system specific to RUNX3 into foetal fibroblast cells. Then, the genetically modified foetal fibroblast cells were used as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer, followed by embryo transfer. We successfully obtained four live RUNX3 knockout piglets from two surrogates. The piglets showed the lack of RUNX3 protein in their internal organ system. Our results demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9 system is effective in inducing mutations on a specific locus of genome and the RUNX3 knockout pigs can be useful resources for human cancer research and to develop novel cancer therapies. 相似文献
AIM: To explore the ability of different group B streptococci (GBS) strains on inducing platelet activation. METHODS: Six strains of GBS, separated from the septic patients with thrombocytopenia, were used as the inducers. Light transmission aggregometry was used to measure platelet aggregation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to investigate the interaction of platelets with bacteria. The expression of platelet CD62P, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 was determined by flow cytometry and Western blotting. Furthermore, the activity of platelet TLR2 (or TLR4) was blocked by anti-TLR2 (or anti-TLR4) monoclonal antibody, and the platelet aggregation induced by GBS was detected. RESULTS: Only 3 of 6 GBS strains isolated from the septic patients induced platelet aggregation and up-regulated the expression of CD62P and TLR2 in the platelets (P < 0.05), but not TLR4. Incubation with anti-TLR2 antibody, but not anti-TLR4 antibody, significantly blocked platelet aggregation induced by GBS.CONCLUSION: Some GBS strains from the patients are able to trigger platelet activation in vitro, and platelet TLR2 may play an important role in the interaction between GBS and platelets. 相似文献
Background: Monitoring of an animal's blood glucose concentration is critical for diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Over the past few decades, portable blood glucose meters (PBGMs) have been used to monitor blood glucose concentrations in animals. Recently, new and improved PBGMs have been made available on the market.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate four PBGMs for use in dogs and cats.
Animals and methods: A total of 155 venous blood samples of dogs and 85 venous blood samples of cats were tested using four PBGMs. Control solutions from manufacturers were used to determine the precision of each meter. The coefficient of variation was calculated to determine precision during a set of replicates. Pearson's correlation analysis, Passing–Bablok regression, and Bland–Altman analysis were used to determine the accuracy of four PBGMs against the hexokinase reference method. Error grid analysis was used to evaluate clinical relevance.
Results: All PBGMs, except CERA-PET®, were clinically acceptable for monitoring blood glucose concentrations; AlphaTrak® and VetMate® appeared to be the most accurate ones, demonstrating that to use PBGMs for glucose monitoring, it is important to understand the strengths or limitations of each meter. The difference in results between the PBGMs and the reference method increased at high glucose concentration ranges, which were also affected by the hematocrit.
Conclusions: Although readings of the PBGMs and the reference method varied across glycemic ranges (low, normal, and high glucose concentrations), most PBGMs were clinically acceptable for monitoring blood glucose concentrations in dogs and cats. 相似文献
Fimbriae and enterotoxins are major virulence factors associated with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). In this study, 3 sets of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assays targeting fimbriae, enterotoxins, and other adherence factors were developed for detecting ETEC. A total number of 188 E. coli field isolates were examined, and percentages of E. coli strains carrying each virulence factors were as follows: F4 (7.45%), F5 (29.79%), F6 (6.38%), F18 (15.43%), F41 (3.72%), STa (10.11%), STb (20.74%), LT (9.57%), Stx2e (2.13%), EAST1 (42.02%), F1 (67.55%), AIDA-I (2.66%), and pAA (7.45%). Of the 188 E. coli field isolates examined, 25.53% were found to be pathogenic ETEC, having both fimbriae and enterotoxins. However, the ratio increased to 44.68% when the presence of other adhesins was considered as criteria for virulence. Among the adherence factors, F1 was found to be the most prevalent. AIDA-I and pAA were also found with similar ratio as compared with other virulence factors. In addition, virulence patterns carrying these alternate adhesive genes with enterotoxins were detected with significant ratio. Therefore, it is desirable that alternate adhesins be considered as markers for diagnosis of ETEC. 相似文献
Tibetan sheep are indigenous to the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, graze the grassland all year round without supplementation and are well‐adapted to the harsh conditions. Small‐tailed Han sheep were introduced to the plateau and are raised mainly in feedlots. Based on their different backgrounds, we hypothesized that the ability to cope with poor diets would be better in Tibetan than in Han sheep. To test our prediction, we examined the effect of dietary energy on apparent digestibilities, rumen fermentation, urinary purine derivatives and serum metabolites by using a 4 × 4 Latin square design in each sheep breed. Four diets were formulated to be low in crude protein (~7%) but to differ in metabolizable energy concentration. Average daily gain was greater in Tibetan than in Han sheep (p < 0.01) and increased linearly with an increase in energy intake (p < 0.001). The digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, gross energy, and neutral and acid detergent fibres were greater in Tibetan than in Han sheep (p < 0.05). Ruminal pH was lower (p < 0.05), while volatile fatty acids (VFAs), urea‐N, ammonia‐N and soluble protein‐N concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in Tibetan than in Han sheep. As a molar proportion of total VFA, acetate decreased (p < 0.001) with an increase in dietary energy whereas propionate and butyrate increased (p < 0.05). Urinary purine derivative excretion was greater in Tibetan than in Han sheep (p < 0.01), as was microbial nitrogen production; both parameters increased with dietary energy (p < 0.01). Serum concentrations of glucose, insulin and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 increased (p < 0.05) as energy level increased, while non‐esterified fatty acids and growth hormone decreased (p < 0.05). It was concluded that Tibetan sheep were better able to cope with low‐protein, low‐energy diets and, consequently, our prediction was supported. 相似文献