Study on Reproductive Performance of Improved Hybrid from Chinese Holstein Cattle

In order to overcome the problems such as decline in adaptability, low fertility and few utilization years due to continuously increasing coefficient of inbreeding of Chinese Holstein cattle, three dairy-beef dual-purpose cattle varieties （purebred Simmental, Montbeliard and Fleckvieh） were introduced as the male parents to be hybridized with Chinese Holstein cattle, so as to study the improvement effect in the reproduction performance and milk production performance of the hybrid cattle. The results showed that the first-filial generation of Montbeliard had a very significant difference in gestation period from Chinese Holstein cattle （ P 〈0.01）. The parity of Fleckvieh s first-filial generation had a very significant effect on 305 d milk yield （ P 〈0.01）; and for the first-filial generation of Montbeliard, mating times and open days significantly affected 305 d milk yield （ P 〈0.05）, and its total milk yield had a significant difference from Chinese Holstein cattle （ P 〈0.05）. Comprehensively, the reproduction traits of Montbeliard s first-filial generation are better than other two varieties.

Variance components and correlations of female fertility traits in Chinese Holstein population

Background: The objective of the present study was to estimate(co)variance components of female fertility traits in Chinese Holsteins, considering fertility traits in different parities as different traits. Data on 88,647 females with 215,632 records(parities) were collected during 2000 to 2014 from 32 herds in the Sanyuan Lvhe Dairy Cattle Center, Beijing, China. The analyzed female fertility traits included interval from calving to first insemination, interval from first to last insemination, days open, conception rate at first insemination, number of inseminations per conception and non-return rates within 56 days after first insemination.Results: The descriptive statistics showed that the average fertility of heifers was superior to that of cows. Moreover,the genetic correlations between the performances of a trait in heifers and in cows were all moderate to high but far from one, which suggested that the performances of a trait in heifers and cows should be considered as different but genetically correlated traits in genetic evaluations. On the other hand, genetic correlations between performances of a trait in different parities of cows were greater than 0.87, with only a few exceptions, but variances were not homogeneous across parities for some traits. The estimated heritabilities of female fertility traits were low; all were below 0.049(except for interval from calving to first insemination). Additionally, the heritabilities of the heifer interval traits were lower than those of the corresponding cow interval traits. Moreover, the heritabilities of the interval traits were higher than those of the threshold traits when measuring similar fertility functions. In general, estimated genetic correlations between traits were highly consistent with the biological categories of the female fertility traits.Conclusions: Interval from calving to first insemination, interval from first to last insemination and non-return rates within 56 days after first insemination are recommended to be included in the selection index of the Chinese Holstein population. The parameters estimated in the present study will facilitate the development of a genetic evaluation system for female fertility traits to improve the reproduction efficiency of Chinese Holsteins.

Variation Regulation and Models of Raw Milk Composition of Chinese Holstein Cattle in Tianjin

Based on raw milk DHI data of Chinese Holstein cattle in northern China,milk composition (milk protein percentage and milk fat percentage) of lactating cow is grouped into parity 1 to 4. After preprocessing original data,6114 data records of milk protein percentage and 5871 data records of milk fat percentage were obtained. This study discusses effects of natural months,lactation parity and their interaction on changes of milk protein percentage and milk fat percentage,and the model is established using GLM procedure of SAS software. At last,results are as follows: (i) Duncan multiple comparison of natural months,regardless of parity (only parity 1 to 4) ,indicates that milk composition takes on significant difference between different months (P < 0. 05) . And milk protein percentage reaches highest in September (3. 187%), drops to the lowest in July (3. 016%); the milk fat percentage reaches highest in February (4. 137%),and drops to the lowest in July (3.845%) . (ii) Duncan multiple comparison of different parity,regardless months (January to December) ,shows that milk composition of different parity also takes on significant difference (P < 0. 05) although the difference between parities are not significant; milk protein percentage reaches highest in the 2nd parity (3. 114%)and drops to the lowest in the 4th parity (3. 066%); milk fat percentage reaches highest in the 2nd and 3rd parity (3. 983% and 3. 973%),and drops to the lowest in the 4th parity (3. 923%). (iii) Using Wood model,the relational expression between milk protein percentage (MPP,%)and milk fat percentage (MFP,%)of different parity and natural month,i. e. MPP = 3. 094x - 0. 046 4 × e 0. 011 7x and MFP = 4. 211 6x - 0. 034 4 × e 0. 027 6x (x stands for month) . According to the above results,it is concluded that natural months,lactation parity and their interaction significantly influence milk protein percentage and milk fat percentage (P < 0. 001) ,and milk protein percentage and milk fat percentage take on Wood model change characteristics with natural months respectively. This study is intended to explore change regulation of milk composition,and to provide decision reference for properly regulating feeding management and nutrition supply of cattle,and thereby guaranteeing the quality of raw milk in certain month reach sales standard.

“I am willing to play a proactive role in China-Russia Scientific Research Exchanges”——Exclusive Interview with Dr. Konstantin Chingin, the awardee of 2018 Chinese Government Friendship Award

Professor Konstantin Chingin is engaged in the research of direct mass spectrum analysis in terms of basic theories,instrument development and applications and has achieved plenty of original results. He has done a lot in the fields of scientific research, platform construction。

The Evil of ‘Reciting’

First of all it is necessary to point out that 'reciting' is the wrong term for what Chinese students are often asked to do when they are learning English. The correct terms are, 'learning by heart' or 'rote learning'. In this article the term 'rote learning' will be used.……

Identification of protein targets for the antidepressant effects of Kai-Xin-San in Chinese medicine using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation

Kai-Xin-San consists of Ginseng Radix, Polygalae Radix, Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma, and Poria at a ratio of 3:3:2:2. Kai-Xin-San has been widely used for the treatment of emotional disorders in China. However, no studies have identified the key proteins implicated in response to Kai-Xin-San treatment. In this study, rat models of chronic mild stress were established using different stress methods over 28 days. After 14 days of stress stimulation, rats received daily intragastric administrations of 600 mg/kg Kai-Xin-San. The sucrose preference test was used to determine depression-like behavior in rats, while isobaric tags were used for relative and absolute quantitation-based proteomics to identify altered proteins following Kai-Xin-San treatment. Kai-Xin-San treatment for 2 weeks noticeably improved depression-like behaviors in rats with chronic mild stress. We identified 33 differentially expressed proteins: 7 were upregulated and 26 were downregulated. Functional analysis showed that these differentially expressed proteins participate in synaptic plasticity, neurodevelopment, and neurogenesis. Our results indicate that Kai-Xin-San has an important role in regulating the key node proteins in the synaptic signaling network, and are helpful to better understand the mechanism of the antidepressive effects of Kai-Xin-San and to provide objective theoretical support for its clinical application. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal Research from the Chinese PLA General Hospital(approval No. X5-2016-07) on March 5, 2016.

Cultivate Talents with Both Noble Qualities and Knowledge of Chinese and Western Culture——Exclusive Interview with Professor Yin Meiqun, Dean of the Business School of Beijing International Studies University

Although it was frigid outside mid-winter, classrooms in the Business School of Beijing International Studies University are still as warm as spring,because of the passionate teachers and students. Professors were conducting lectures in English, as the students listen carefully and occasionally answered the questions posed in fluent English.If hearing their voices only, audiences might easily mistake that they were in a university in an English-speaking country.'

Restriction fragment length polymorphism in the exon 2 of the BoLA-DRB3 gene in Chinese Holstein of the south China

The genetic diversity of the exon2 of BoLA-DRB3 (BoLA-DRB3.2) in Chinese Holstein cattle of the south China was investigated by hemi-nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Six, four and eleven RFLP patterns were found after digestion with the restriction enzymes Hae III, Bst YI and Rsa I, respectively. The DNA sequence showed and twenty- five DRB3.2 alleles. GLM model analysis indicated that lactation and calving season have positive correlation with SCC (Somatic Cell Count) (p<0.01), BoLA-DRB3.2*3, *8, *18 and *26 were associated with lower SCC (p<0.01). The present findings concluded that mastitis is a severe hinder of milk production and technology. Therefore, future re-searches should focus on associations of mastitis with BoLA haplotypes rather than single BoLA

Evaluation of Breeding Programs Combining Genomic Information in Chinese Holstein

Current study adopted gene flow theory and selection index method to compare the breeding efficiency of three breeding plans in the Chinese Holstein cattle using ZPLAN software. Simulated conventional progeny-testing program （PT） and young sire program （YS） were compared with breeding program using genomic selection （GS） taking parameters derived from Chinese Holstein breeding system. The results showed that, GS shortened generation interval by 1.5-2.2 years, and increased the genetic progress by 30-50%, comparing to PT and YS, respectively. Economic analysis showed that GS could obtain a higher breeding efficiency, being 119 and 97% higher than that of PT and YS, respectively; and GS was also powerful in improving functional traits with a low heritability. Main factors affecting breeding efficiency in GS were further discussed, including selection intensity, accuracy and the cost of SNP genotyping. Our finding provided references for future designing and implementing GS in Chinese dairy population.

Mapping QTLs Affecting Economic Traits on BTA3 in Chinese Holstein with Microsatellite Markers

It had been demonstrated that the strong and highly significant quantitative trait locus（QTL） can affect protein percentage on Bos Taurus Autosome 3（BTA3） at the position 52 cM, near the microsatellite DIK4353, with the 95% confidence interval spanning from 25 to 57 cM in Chinese Holstein population using QTL-express, MQREML, and GRIDQTL softwares. This study herein focused on such region of fine mapping QTLs for milk production and functional traits with 16 microsatellite markers with coverage of 33 cM between the markers BMS2904 and MB099 on BTA3 in a daughter-designed Chinese Holstein population. A total of 1 298 Holstein cows and 7 sires were genotyped for 16 microsatellites with ABI 3700 DNA sequencer. The variance components QTL linkage analysis（LA） and linkage-disequilibrium（LD） analysis（LA/LD） was performed to map QTLs for 7 traits, i.e., 305-d milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, fat percentage, protein percentage, somatic cell score and persistency of milk yield. Four strong and highly significant QTLs were detected for fat yield, fat percentage, protein percentage and somatic cell score at the position 40, 30, 27 and 26 cM, respectively. Two minor QTLs for milk yield and persistency of milk yield were identified at 42 and 46 cM, respectively. These findings provided a general idea for the fine mapping of the causal mutation for milk production and functional traits on BTA3 in the future.

Fine Mapping QTLs Affecting Milk Production Traits on BTA6 in Chinese Holstein with SNP Markers

Our previous studies demonstrated that the region around markers BMS470 and BMS1242 on BTA6 showed a linkage to 305-d milk yield and composition traits in the Chinese Holstein population. We herein focused on such narrow region to fine map milk production QTLs with 15 SNPs across 25 Mb with each SNP in 1 Mb within most regions in a Chinese Holstein population with daughter design. 1 449 Holstein cows and 11 sires were genotyped for such SNPs by using TaqMan probe and RFLP assays. Multipoint linkage analysis across family revealed a QTL affecting milk yield between PPARGC1A C4075T and SLC34A2 T1713C. Meanwhile, within family analysis found three milk yield QTLs （two in CR T60984131G-CEP135 C501T and one in PDLIM5 A106C-OPN T3907, a fat yield QTLin UGDH T1670C-CR T60984131G region, and two protein yield QTLs in TBC1D1 G501C-UGDH T1670C and PPARGC1A C4075T-SLC34A2 T1713C, respectively. Associations between aforementioned significant SNP markers and milk production traits were further implemented. We found significant associations of PPARGC1A C4075T, SLC34A2 T1713C with milk yield （P0.05, P0.01, P0.01）, UGDH T1670C, and CR T60984131G with fat yield （P0.01, P0.01）, and PPARGC1A C4075T, SLC34A2 T1713C, UGDH T1670C and OPN T3907 with protein yield （P0.01, P0.01, P0.01, P0.01）. Our findings implied that QTLs affecting milk production traits on BTA6 were pleictropism or multigenic effect and PPARGC1A and OPN may be the causal mutations behind milk production QTLs on BTA6 in the Chinese Holstein population.

The effect of traditional Chinese medicine“Tian Gui Recipe (TGR)”on obesity and anovulation in androgen-sterilized rats(ASR)

Objectives: A traditional Chinese medicine “Tian Gui Recipe (TGR)” has been used to effectively treat clomiphene resistant anovulatory disease and obesity, especially in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) cases with hyperinsulinemia. The effect of TGR on obesity and anovulation was investigated in androgen-sterilized rats (ASR).Methods: Female SD rats at the age of 9 days were divided into 3 groups. Group ASR (n=15): anovulation was demonstrated at the age of 70 days by vaginal smear in rats while 1.25 mg of testosterone propionate was injected subcutaneously on its 9th neonatal day. Group A+H (n=25): TGR were administered to ASR at the age of 80 days for 3 weeks. Rats with regular estrous cycle and ovulation after herbal treatment were included in this group. Group C (n=15): normal ovulated rats were recruited. Around the age of 112 days or on proestrous day, all rats were sacrificed under anesthesia. Serum leptin, testosterone (T), estrogen (E2), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured with radioimmunoassay (RIA). Double immunofluorescent staining combined with confocal laser scanning microscope and dual in situ hybridization were carried out on sections through areas of arcuate nucleus (ARC) to determine whether estrogen receptor (ER) immunoreactivity (IR) or long form of leptin receptor (OB-Rb) mRNA were expressed in neuropeptide Y (NPY) immuno- and mRNA-containing neurons, and their relationship to proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA-containing neurons. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to observe the levels of ER-, NPY-,gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH)-IR and gene expression levels of NPY, OB-Rb, and POMC in ARC. Meanwhile, the criteria of energy state,including daily food intake, retroperitoneal fat depot pad and body weight,were measured and evaluated. Values of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were expressed in mean optic density (MOD).Results:Seventeen out of the 25 rats (68%) in Group A+H were ovulated after herbal treatment. ASR characterized with significantly high metabolic rate, energy imbalance and obesity (P<0.01,P<0.01,P<0.01).The mean serum leptin, T, E2 levels of ASR were significantly higher than that of Group C and Group A+H (P<0.01,P<0.01), while being contraryto that of FSH, LH levels (P<0.01,P<0.01). ERs were proved distributing in NPY-containing neurons, OB-Rb coexpressed in NPY-synthesizing neurons, and both NPY- and POMC- mRNA expressing neurons overlapped in ARC. Compared to Group C, levels of NPY mRNA and NPY, POMC mRNA expressions increased (P<0.01,P<0.01,P<0.01),OB-Rb mRNA, ER and GnRH immunoreactive expression decreased significantly in the hypothalamus of ASR (P<0.01,P<0.01,P<0.01).These dramatic neuroendocrine changes became normal in ovulated ASR after the herbal treatment (all P>0.05).Conclusion: The elevated peripheral estrogen caused by high testosterone and leptin levels in ASR may down-regulate their corresponding receptors oriented on hypothalamic NPY-containing neurons respectively, therefore challenge the NPY mRNA and NPY,POMC mRNA overexpression. The overexpression of NPY, POMC gene transcription and translation stimulate food intake, promote the deposit of adipocyte tissue, and inhibit GnRH expression and GnRH/FSH, LH release, which contribute to the occurrence of obesity and anovulation in ASR. “TGR” may reverse these abnormal neuroendocrine cascades by lowering levels of testosterone, estrogen and leptin.

Association of G-protein coupled purinergic receptor P2Y2 with ischemic stroke in a Han Chinese population of North China

The G-protein-coupled purinergic receptor P2Y2(P2RY2) plays an important role in the mechanism of atherosclerosis, which is relevant to ischemic stroke. This retrospective case-control study aimed to assess the relationship between P2RY2 gene polymorphisms and ischemic stroke risk in the northern Han Chinese population. In this study, clinical data and peripheral blood specimens were collected from 378 ischemic stroke patients and 344 controls. The ischemic stroke participants were recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University. The controls were recruited from the Health Check Center at the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University. Ischemic stroke patients were divided into two subgroups according to the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment(TOAST) classification: large-artery atherosclerosis(n = 178) and small-artery occlusion(n = 200) strokes. All subjects were genotyped for three single nucleotide polymorphisms(rs4944831, rs1783596, and rs4944832) in the P2RY2 gene using peripheral venous blood samples. The distribution of the dominant rs4944832 phenotype(GG vs. GA+AA) differed significantly between small-artery occlusion patients and control subjects(odds ratio(OR) = 1.720, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.203–2.458, P < 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the GG genotype of rs4944832 was significantly more prevalent in small-artery occlusion patients than in control subjects(OR = 1.807, 95% CI: 1.215–2.687, P < 0.01). The overall distribution of the haplotype established by rs4944831-rs1783596-rs4944832 was significantly different between ischemic stroke patients and controls(P < 0.01). In ischemic stroke patients, the frequency of the G-C-G haplotype was significantly higher than in control subjects(P = 0.028), whereas the frequency of the T-C-A haplotype was lower than in control subjects(P = 0.047). These results indicate that the G-C-G haplotype of P2RY2 is a susceptibility haplotype for ischemic stroke. In addition, the GG genotype of rs4944832 may be associated with the development of small-artery occlusion in the northern Han Chinese population. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University on February 20, 2012(No. 2012-38-1) and the First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University, China, on March 1, 2013(No. 2013-03-1). All participants gave their informed consent. This trial was registered with the ISRCTN Registry(ISRCTN11439124) on October 24, 2018. Protocol version(1.0).

Genetic parameters for somatic cell score and production traits in the fi rst three lactations of Chinese Holstein cows

The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters of lactation average somatic cell scores （LSCS） and examine genetic associations between LSCS and production traits in the first three lactations of Chinese Holstein cows using single-parity multi-trait animal model and multi-trait repeatability animal model. There were totally 273605 lactation records of Chinese Holstein cows with first calving from 2001 to 2012. Heritability estimates for LSCS ranged from 0.144 to 0.187. Genetic correlations between LSCS and 305 days milk, protein percentage and fat percentage were -0.079, -0.082 and -0.135, respectively. Phenotypic correlation between LSCS and 305 days milk yield was negative （-0.103 to -0.190）. Genetic correlation between 305 days milk and fat percentage or protein percentage was highly negative. Genetic correlation between milk fat percentage and milk protein percentage was highly favorable. Heritabilities of production traits decreased with increase of parity, whereas heritability of LSCS increased with increase of parity.

Genetic Parameters for Yields and Reproductive Traits of Chinese Holstein Cows in Heilongjiang Province

[Objective] This study aimed to estimate the genetic parameters for milk yield, fat percentage, fat yield and age at first freshening of Chinese Holsteins first lactation cows in Heilongjiang under frigid-temperature and temperature zone. [Method] Records of yield and reproduction from 8 868 Chinese Holstein first lacta- tion cows from 21 herds were utilized to evaluate genetic parameters for Hei- Iongjiangs＇ Chinese Holsteins. Restricted maximum likelihood （REML） method was used with an animal model. [Result] The heritabilities were 0.16 to 0.34 for yields and fat percentage, 0.38 for reproduction （age at the first freshening）, which were similar to estimates for temperate areas from similar methods, except for constituent percentage. Also, the estimates of genetic correlation were high between milk yield and fat yield （0.97）, but were low between milk yield and fat percentage （-0.24）, age at the first freshening （-0.29） and generally antagonistic. [Conclusion] Thus, es- timates of genetic parameters in this frigid and frigid-temperate environment did not differ appreciably from those that occur in temperate dairy areas.

他们不再是孩子了 关于“新失业群体”现状的社会学报告

The “New Unemployed” consists of young people with low education in the Chinese cities. They differ from the cohorts of their parents because they have no work experiences in any state- or collective-owned enterprise, and are subject to completely different policies designated by the government. Investigations of their daily living lead to the conclusion that the “New Unemployed” has gone through a “system withdrawal” process. They are now facing an environment of “system vacuum” that none of other unemployed groups has ever encountered before. The author emphasizes in the paper a strategic employment principle of “For Future Generations” so that focused attention and care can be provided and this toughest challenge in China can be dealt with.

Establishment of paternity testing system using microsatellite markers in Chinese Holstein

To estimate the efficiency of microsatellite markers in paternity testing among Chinese Holstein, 30 microsatellite loci were used to differentiate 330 Chinese Holstein genotypes, according to the calculation of the allele frequency, number of alleles, effective number of alleles, genetic heterozygosity, polymorphic information content （PIC）, and the exclusion probability in this cattle population. The results demonstrated that the exclusion probability ranged from 0.620 in locus BM1818 to 0.265 in locus INRA005 with the average of 0.472 and 11 microsatellite markers exceeding 0.5. The combined exclusion probability of nine microsatellite markers was over 0.99. The result showed that paternity testing of Chinese Holstein was basically resolved using the nine microsatellite markers selected.

Meta-analysis on Efficacy of Yiqi Huoxue Chinese Drugs in the Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease after Coronary Revascularization

[Objectives] To make a systematic evaluation on the therapeutic efficacy and safety of Yiqi Huoxue traditional Chinese drugs combined with western medicine in treatment of coronary heart disease( CHD) after coronary revascularization. [Methods] The literatures were retrieved from China Knowledge Infrastructure( CNKI),Chinese science and technology journal full-text database( VIP database,VIP),Wanfang Data,the Chinese biomedical Database,Pub Med,Embase,and the Cochrane Library. The retrieval time was set to the creation of the database to January 2017. The randomized controlled trial( RCT) was conducted on the comparison between Yiqi Huoxue Chinese drugs combined with western medicine and the western medicine alone in the treatment of CHD after coronary revascularization. The literature information was extracted and the methodological quality of the included literature was evaluated according to the bias risk assessment tool developed by the Cochrane Collaboration. Meta-analysis was performed with the aid of Rev Man 5. 3 software. Coronary artery restenosis rate,angina pectoris treatment efficiency,left ventricular ejection fraction( LVEF),left ventricular end-diastolic volume( LVEDV),B-type natriuretic peptide( BNP),6-minute walk test( 6 MWT),and adverse reactions were analyzed. [Results] A total of 29 articles were included,a total of2 518 patients,the literature quality was low. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with the treatment by western medicine alone,Yiqi Huoxue Chinese drugs combined with western medicine could further reduce coronary restenosis rate[RR = 0. 45,95% CI( 0. 34,0. 60),P <0. 000 01],improve the angina pectoris treatment efficiency[RR = 1. 13,95% CI( 1. 05,1. 21),P = 0. 000 5],raise LVEF[WMD = 4. 25,95% CI( 3. 46,5. 04),P < 0. 000 01],reduce LVEDV[WMD =-10. 41,95% CI(-17. 88,-2. 95),P = 0. 006],decrease the plasma BNP level[WMD =-32. 32,95% CI(-44. 92,-19. 72),P < 0. 000 01],and increase 6 MWT distance(WMD = 62. 25,95% CI( 21. 71,102. 78),P = 0. 003)[Conclusions]Yiqi Huoxue Chinese drugs combined with western medicine can alleviate the symptoms of angina pectoris,reduce the rate of coronary restenosis,improve heart function and improve exercise capacity,thereby improving clinical efficacy in patients with CHD after coronary revascularization.