Genome-wide association study for numbers of vertebrae in Dezhou donkey population reveals new candidate genes

Numbers of vertebrae is an important economic trait associated with body size and meat productivity in animals.However,the genetic basis of vertebrae number in donkey remains to be well understood.The aim of this study was to identify candidate genes affecting the number of thoracic(TVn)and the number of lumbar vertebrae(LVn)in Dezhou donkey.A genome-wide association study was conducted using whole genome sequence data imputed from low-coverage genome sequencing.For TVn,we identified 38 genome-wide significant and 64 suggestive SNPs,which relate to 7 genes(NLGN1,DCC,SLC26A7,TOX,WNT7A,LOC123286078,and LOC123280142).For LVn,we identified 9 genome-wide significant and 38 suggestive SNPs,which relate to 8 genes(GABBR2,FBXO4,LOC123277146,LOC123277359,BMP7,B3GAT1,EML2,and LRP5).The genes involve in the Wnt and TGF-βsignaling pathways and may play an important role in embryonic development or bone formation and could be good candidate genes for TVn and LVn.

Donkey whey proteins ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice by downregulating the S100A8-TRAF6-NF-κB axis-mediated inflammatory response

Donkey milk has a variety of physiological functions, including antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Donkey whey proteins(DWPs), as the main functional component in donkey milk, its inhibitory effect on colitis is still unclear. In this study, the inhibitory effect and potential mechanism of DWPs on dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced colitis were investigated. Firstly, the DWPs and bovine milk whey proteins(BWPs)were characterized using proteomics. Then, we administered DWPs and BWPs to mice with colitis via oral gavage. The results of immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry indicated that DWPs increased T regulatory cell accumulation and increased the abundance of the cluster of differentiation 205+(CD205+)macrophages compared to those with BWPs and in model groups. In addition, DWPs exhibited a more remarkable ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory proteins(S100A8, TRAF6, and NF-κB)expression and inflammatory secretion than BWPs. In addition, DWPs significantly decreased NF-κB and CD86 levels more than BWPs or the negative control in both LPS-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or cell lines. These findings indicate that DWPs comprise a promising anti-colitis functional food, and this work has established a foundation for future research on these compounds.

Differentially expressed whey proteins of donkey and bovine colostrum revealed with a label-free proteomics approach

This study aimed to analyze and compare the differentially expressed whey proteins(DEWPs)of donkey and bovine colostrum using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomics.A total of 620 and 696 whey proteins were characterized in the donkey and bovine colostrum,respectively,including 383 common whey proteins.Among these common proteins,80 were identified as DEWPs,including 21 upregulated and 59 downregulated DEWPs in donkey colostrum compared to bovine colostrum.Gene Ontology analysis revealed that these DEWPs were mainly related to cellular components,such as extracellular exosome,plasma membrane,and mitochondrion;biological processes,such as oxidation-reduction process,cell-cell adhesion,and small guanosine triphosphate(GTP)ase-mediated signal transduction;and molecular functions,such as GTP binding,GTPase activity,and soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor(NSF)attachment protein receptor activity.Metabolic pathway analysis suggested that the majority of the DEWPs were associated with soluble NSF factor attachment protein receptor interactions in vesicular transport,fatty acid biosynthesis,and estrogen signaling pathways.Our results provide a vital insight into the differences between donkey and bovine colostrum,along with important information on the significant components as nutritional and functional factors to be included in infant formula based on multiple milk sources.

The genetic diversity analysis in the donkey myostatin gene

Myostatin（MSTN）gene negatively controls skeletal muscle development and growth,variations of which play an important role in the regulation of skeletal muscle growth in mammals.However,study on genetic polymorphism of MSTN gene in donkey is limited.In this study,we screened the single nucleotide polymorphsims（SNPs）of MSTN gene in 13 Chinese donkey breeds.Four novel SNPs（g.229T〉C,g.872A〉G,g.2014G〉A,and g.2395C〉G）were detected and genotyped by sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism（PCR-RFLP）methods.Six haplotypes（H1–H6）were analyzed,which indicated abundant haplotype diversities in Chinese donkeys.The haplotype H1 was the most dominant and ancient in all breeds.Xinjiang donkey displayed the highest haplotype diversity.The Neighbour-Joining（NJ）tree of MSTN gene among different species was constructed.The clustering result of nine species was consistent with the fact of species differentiation.Our results will provide a reliable theoretical basis for the preservation,exploration and utilization of Chinese donkey genetic resources.

Potential dual expansion of domesticated donkeys revealed by worldwide analysis on mitochondrial sequences

Molecular studies on donkey mitochondrial sequences have clearly defined two distinct maternal lineages involved in domestication.However,domestication histories of these two lineages remain enigmatic.We therefore compared several population characteristics between these two lineages based on global sampling,which included 171 sequences obtained in this study(including Middle Asian,East Asian,and African samples)plus 536 published sequences(including European,Asian,and African samples).The two lineages were clearly separated from each other based on whole mitochondrial genomes and partial non-coding displacement loop(D-loop)sequences,respectively.The Clade I lineage experienced an increase in population size more than 8000 years ago and shows a complex haplotype network.In contrast,the population size of the Clade II lineage has remained relatively constant,with a simpler haplotype network.Although the distribution of the two lineages was almost equal across the Eurasian mainland,they still presented discernible but complex geographic bias in most parts of Africa,which are known as their domestication sites.Donkeys from sub-Saharan Africa tended to descend from the Clade I lineage,whereas the Clade II lineage was dominant along the East and North coasts of Africa.Furthermore,the migration routes inferred from diversity decay suggested different expansion across China between the two lineages.Altogether,these differences indicated non-simultaneous domestication of the two lineages,which was possibly influenced by the response of pastoralists to the desertification of the Sahara and by the social expansion and trade of ancient humans in Northeast Africa,respectively.

Effects of Age on Chemical Composition and Tenderness of Muscle <i>Longissimus thoracis</i>of Martina Franca Donkey Breed

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of age on chemical composition and tenderness of donkey meat. These characteristics were determined on Longissimus thoracis samples taken from 40 entire donkey males of Martina Franca breed slaughtered at 12 (Group 1, n = 20) and at 18 months (Group 2, n = 20) of age. Tenderness was evalu-ated at two and seven days post slaughter using a Warner-Bratzler shear force device. The chemical composition showed a significant increase in protein content (P < 0.05) in the meat of donkeys slaughtered at 18 months of age (22.3 g/100 g) compared to the meat of younger animals (21.4 g/100 g). Intramuscular fat content was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in Group 1 (2.41 g/100 g) compared to Group 2 (3.71 g/100 g). Shear force values at seven days post slaughter were significantly (P < 0.01) lower (5.15 ± 0.31 kg/cm2) in Group 1 compared with the results obtained at two days post slaughter (6.25 ± 0.53 kg/cm2). In Group 2 shear force values obtained seven days post mortem were higher (5.88 ± 0.23 kg/cm2) compared with Group 1 after the same ageing period but significantly (P < 0.05) lower if compared with those (6.53 ± 0.23 kg/cm2) determined in the same animals two days post slaugher.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Horses and Donkeys in and around Gondar Town, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted from October 2010 to June 2011 in and around Gondar town to identify the species and determine prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in donkeys and horses. Gross examination, direct fecal smear, sedimentation and floatation techniques were utilized to identify the eggs and larvae of parasites in feces. A total of 384 horses and donkeys were examined for gastrointestinal parasites. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 92.71% (356 from 384) with 80.95% (85 from 105) and 97.13% (271 from 279) in horses and donkeys, respectively. Prevalence of Strongyle, Parascaris equorum, Oxyuris equi, Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus and Gastrophilus intestinalis was 66.67%, 43.8%, 0.95%, 2.86%, and 0.95%, respectively in horses. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 87.81%, 42.29%, 4.30%, 5.73%, 1.43%, 3.58% and 0.72% for Strongyles, Parascaris equorum, Oxyuris equi, Fasciola, Tricuris, Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus and Gastrophilus intestinalis in donkeys, respectively. There was a statisticcally significant difference between species, housing and among feed types in prevalence of equine gastrointestinal parasites

New Technique for Medial Patellar Desmotomy in Cattle and Donkeys

The present technique is designed to transect the medial patellar ligament indicated for treatment of upward fixation of patella in cattle and donkeys. A medial patellar desmotomy was performed first on cadavers and then on 21 live cattle or donkeys. In live animals under local anesthesia, a sterile silk strand (USP 1) mounted on a curved needle is inserted through skin at the medial aspect of the medial patellar ligament to the subcutaneous fascia and directed beneath the ligament to emerge at opposite side. The silk is then sawed to cut the ligament. In contrast to other procedures, the desmotomy is less invasive as skin at the surgical site is not incised, pericapsular fat and joint capsules not invaded, and the ligament is fully transected in a one-step procedure. Minimal tissue invasiveness limited infection of surgical site, minimized bleeding, and decreased related postoperative consequences.

Genomes reveal selective sweeps in kiang and donkey for high-altitude adaptation

Over the last several hundred years,donkeys have adapted to high-altitude conditions on the Tibetan Plateau.Interestingly,the kiang,a closely related equid species,also inhabits this region.Previous reports have demonstrated the importance of specific genes and adaptive introgression in divergent lineages for adaptation to hypoxic conditions on the Tibetan Plateau.Here,we assessed whether donkeys and kiangs adapted to the Tibetan Plateau via the same or different biological pathways and whether adaptive introgression has occurred.We assembled a de novo genome from a kiang individual and analyzed the genomes of five kiangs and 93 donkeys(including 24 from the Tibetan Plateau).Our analyses suggested the existence of a strong hard selective sweep at the EPAS1 locus in kiangs.In Tibetan donkeys,however,another gene,i.e.,EGLN1,was likely involved in their adaptation to high altitude.In addition,admixture analysis found no evidence for interspecific gene flow between kiangs and Tibetan donkeys.Our findings indicate that despite the short evolutionary time scale since the arrival of donkeys on the Tibetan Plateau,as well as the existence of a closely related species already adapted to hypoxia,Tibetan donkeys did not acquire adaptation via admixture but instead evolved adaptations via a different biological pathway.

Correlation Study on Body Size,Sexual Behavior and Semen Quality of Dezhou Donkey

[ Objective] The study was to explore whether the body size, sexual behavior of male donkey had certain correlation with reproductive traits. [ Method] The data of body weight, body size and sexual behavior of male donkey during production were collected, combining with the semen quality data of ejaculation volume, density, motility and frozen-thawed semen motility were conducted the statistical analysis. [ Results] （ 1 ） Single ejaculation volume had a positive correlation with body height （r = 0. 423, P = 0. 044） and penis circumference （r = 0. 495, P = 0. 043 ） , and total number of sperm per ejaculate had a positiw： correlation with body weight （r = 0. 444, P = 0. 036） and scrotal circumference （r = 0. 520, P = 0. 039） ; （2） Ejaculation volume was negatively correlated with mount times （r = -0. 159, P = 0. 035） and erection time （r = -0. 181, P = 0. 023）, semen density was negatively correlated with mating time （r = - 0.211, P = 0.004）, and total sperm count was negatively correlated with erection time （r = - 0. 159 , P = 0. 047）. [Condusion ] The quality of semen had a certain correlation with body size, body weight and sexual behavior.

The Emerging Trade in Donkey Hide: An Opportunity or a Threat for Communities in Kenya?

Donkey hides are used in a form of Traditional Chinese medicine called ejiao, the demand for ejiao is currently so high the global donkey population is currently in decline. Africa’s donkey population is considered a key source for the trade, with Kenya being highlighted as being particularly affected. In Kenya donkeys play a vital contribution to people’s livelihoods;this study aimed to explore the potential impact of the donkey hide trade on small holder farmer’s livelihoods. The study was conducted in five counties in Kenya;data was collected using household survey questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. When household survey participants (n = 421) were asked if the number of donkeys in their herd had decreased within the last two years 34.2% (n = 144) reported a decrease, of those 43.8% (n = 63) reported the selling of donkeys as the primary cause of reduction in herd size. Increased money spent on the transportation of farm produce, water and firewood was the most frequently reported effect of the loss of donkeys (62.5%, n = 263). Some focus group discussion participants said that they had previously sold their donkeys to raise money for school fees, likewise 43% (n = 97) of focus group discussion participants said that they would sell their donkeys to pay medical bills. Results from the study suggest that small holder farmers are choosing to sell their donkeys for an instant boost in income, but long-term this is unlikely to be a sustainable livelihood option.

Covid-19 CT Lung Image Segmentation Using Adaptive Donkey and Smuggler Optimization Algorithm

COVID’19 has caused the entire universe to be in existential healthcrisis by spreading globally in the year 2020. The lungs infection is detected inComputed Tomography (CT) images which provide the best way to increasethe existing healthcare schemes in preventing the deadly virus. Nevertheless,separating the infected areas in CT images faces various issues such as lowintensity difference among normal and infectious tissue and high changes inthe characteristics of the infection. To resolve these issues, a new inf-Net (LungInfection Segmentation Deep Network) is designed for detecting the affectedareas from the CT images automatically. For the worst segmentation results,the Edge-Attention Representation (EAR) is optimized using AdaptiveDonkey and Smuggler Optimization (ADSO). The edges which are identifiedby the ADSO approach is utilized for calculating dissimilarities. An IFCM(Intuitionistic Fuzzy C-Means) clustering approach is applied for computingthe similarity of the EA component among the generated edge maps andGround-Truth (GT) edge maps. Also, a Semi-Supervised Segmentation(SSS) structure is designed using the Randomly Selected Propagation (RP)technique and Inf-Net, which needs only less number of images and unlabelleddata. Semi-Supervised Multi-Class Segmentation (SSMCS) is designed usinga Bi-LSTM (Bi-Directional Long-Short-Term-memory), acquires all theadvantages of the disease segmentation done using Semi Inf-Net and enhancesthe execution of multi-class disease labelling. The newly designed SSMCSapproach is compared with existing U-Net++, MCS, and Semi-Inf-Net.factors such as MAE (Mean Absolute Error), Structure measure, Specificity(Spec), Dice Similarity coefficient, Sensitivity (Sen), and Enhance-AlignmentMeasure are considered for evaluation purpose.

Management Practices, Utilization and Challenges of Donkey in Godey Town, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Godey town of Shebelle zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to assess management practices, utilization, and challenges of donkey. A total of 200 households who own working donkeys were selected purposely for this study. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, key informants interviews, focus group discussions with communities who own donkeys and personal observations. The study revealed that the majority of the respondents were illiterate which might be associated with poor education access in the area. The study further revealed that 92% of working donkeys were involved in drought work, whereas 18% were used for pack work. The common feed resources for donkeys were feeds obtained from natural pasture, green maize leaves, hay, household wastes and grain supplements. Pipe water, river water, and pond water were the main water sources for working donkeys in the study area. About 91% of households kept their donkeys in an open backyard, while 9% of them kept them in a separate shed built adjacent to or a short distance away from the family home. Donkeys provide cart services in the study area, transporting various items weighing more than 300 kg in order to obtain a high benefit in a short period of time and are more than six days per week. Working donkeys in the current study area had a life span of fewer than 6 years, 7 - 10 years, and more than 10 years, with 18.5%, 75.5%, and 6%, respectively. The most important constraints that affect donkey production and utilization in the study area were a lack of feed, health problems (sickness, wounds, etc.), overloading and overworking, poor road and harnessing problems, and poor attitude/lack of awareness. As a result, in order to enhance working donkey management concerns, area-based development interventions that can overcome current constraints should be employed.

Now I have only five donkeys!

One morning Bob left his house with sixdonkeys to_1_to the town.After a moment,he got tired and_2_on one of the donkeys.Then he counted the donkeys,and there_3_only five,so he got off and went to_4_thesixth.He looked and looked but_5_it,so hewent back to the donkeys and counted themagain.This time there were six.80 he got onone of them again and_6_on.

Open Fractures of Limbs by the Bite of Domestic Donkeys: An Unusual Aetiology

Introduction: The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological, lesional, therapeutic and evolutionary profile of open fractures of limbs by bites of domestic donkeys. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective descriptive study over 28 months made in the Orthopedics-Traumatology department of the Tambacounda Regional Hospital in Senegal, concerning patients bitten by donkeys, resulting in an open fracture of the thoracic and pelvic limbs. Results: Twelve male patients were included. The average age was 10.50 years ± 2.60. The most common circumstance was the bite when two donkeys were separated. The thoracic limbs were the most affected by the occurrence of the arm. Cauchoix-Duparc type II and AO A2 and B2 were predominant. The essential trimming/osteosynthesis was carried out within 24 hours of the bite. Serovaccination was systematic, but on the other hand, a single dose of anti-rabies serum was administered. Pinning was the most commonly used bone synthesis. Complications were mainly infectious, followed by a case of radial nerve palsy and non-union on pins. Conclusion: The typical profile of an open donkey bite fracture is a male child/adolescent who is bitten during the separation of two fighting donkeys. The lesions are most often found in the thoracic limbs with a predominance of Cauchoix-Duparc type II and type A2 and B2 fractures of the AO, whose treatment consisted of trimming and pinning. The infectious complications of the soft tissues marked the evolution.

A Review of Research on Donkey Sentences

Since 1980 s,donkey sentences have been the focus of debate among linguists.T his paper aims to give a general picture of major research on donkey sentences home and abroad,which consists of E-type pronoun approach,discourse representation theory analysis,two types of donkey sentences,and Wh...Wh-construction.It also reflects on issues concerning the‘de'construction to offer some implications for further studies of donkey sentences.

Genomic analyses reveal distinct genetic architectures and selective pressures in Chinese donkeys

Donkey(Equus asinus)is an important livestock animal in China because of its draft and medicinal value.After a long period of natural and artificial selection,the variety and phenotype of donkeys have become abundant.We clarified the genetic and demographic characteristics of Chinese domestic donkeys and the selection pressures by analyzing 78 whole genomes from 12 breeds.According to population structure,most Chinese domestic donkeys showed a dominant ancestral type.However,the Chinese donkeys still represented a significant geographical distribution trend.In the selective sweep,gene annotation,functional enrichment,and differential expression analyses between large and small donkey groups,we identified selective signals,including NCAPG and LCORL,which are related to rapid growth and large body size.Our findings elucidate the evolutionary history and formation of different donkey breeds and provide theoretical insights into the genetic mechanism underlying breed characteristics and molecular breeding programs of donkey clades.

Donkey pericardium as a select sourcing to manufacture percutaneous heart valves:Decellularization has not yet demonstrated any clear cut advantage to glutaraldehyde treatment

Background:The donkey pericardium is considered a good candidate to manufacture percutaneous heart valves based upon its thinness,low cellularity and undulating collagen bundles and laminates.Decellularization represents an avenue worth exploring,should its superiority to glutaraldehyde-treated pericardium be demonstrated.Materials and methods:Donkey pericardium was divided into two groups:regular glutaraldehyde fixation and mild decellularization.The treated pericardia were observed using scanning electron microscopy,histology and transmission electron microscopy.Tensile tests were performed along the axial and perpendicular directions,with the data fitted into both the Gasser–Ogden–Holzapfel(GOH)material model and the Fung’s anisotropic one.Results:The microstructures of the pericardia processed by the two protocols were similar,showing collagen bundles and laminates free of flaws.The decellularization eliminated most of the cells,however leaving the structure somehow compressed.The collagen filaments in bundles were slightly blurry.The anisotropy rates of the non-decellularized specimens were almost identical to the decellularized ones.The decellularized pericardium appeared stiffer.Conclusion:The decellularization proved to be effective.However,it makes the tissue stiffer,which may lead to higher shear concentration during cardiac cycles and reduce its wavy microstructure.Therefore,it appears premature to select decellularized donkey pericardium to manufacture heart valves.

Proviral genomic sequence analysis of Chinese donkey leukocyte attenuated equine infectious anemia virus vaccine and its parental virus strain Liaoning

Proviral DNA was extracted from donkey leukocyte infected with Chinese donkey leukocyte attenuated equine infectious anemia virus(DLA-EIAV), and peripheral blood lymphocytes(PBL) from a horse infected with the virulent EIAV strain Liaoning(EIAV L). The entire proviral DNA from both viruses was cloned and sequenced. The lengths of complete genomic sequences of DLA-EIAV and EIAV L provirus were 8266 bp and 8235 bp, respectively. Sequence comparison indicated that DLA-EIAV shares 97.0% and 97.5% in sequence homology with EIAV L and donkey-adapted EIAV(DA-EIAV), respectively. Lots of variations occurred in long terminal repeat(LTR, consisting of U3, R, U5), ORF S2, and env regions between DLA-EIAV and EIAV L. The nucleotide sequence differences of the two viruses in U3, R, U5, ORF S2, and env are 13.2%, 7.5%, 5.1%, 3.9%, and 2.7%, respectively, and predicted amino acid sequence differences in env and S2 coding regions are 4.4% and 8.8%, respectively. Six conserved regions are characterized in Gp90. There is a cis-activating GATA motif in ENH of DLA-EIAV and EIAV L. Two N-linked glycosylation sites disappeared in DLA-EIAV Gp90 in comparison with that of EIAV L. A bHLH transcription factor binding consensus sequence was found in LTR of DLA-EIAV but not in EIAV L. Furthermore, there is a mutation in the stem of DLA-EIAV TAR resulting in formation of a uridine tuber. Further study is needed to uncover the relationship between sequence changes and their biological functions of DLA-EIAV and L.

Comprehensive characterization of donkey milk serum proteins

Donkey milk(DM)has attracted immense attention owing to its resemblance to human milk.Consequently,its components require rigorous analysis.This study aimed to identify DM serum proteins(DMSPs)using a label-free MS-based proteomics method.Herein,1243 DMSPs were characterized in Dezhou DM,and 788 common DMSPs were identified and subsequently analyzed.Gene ontology analysis indicated the involvement of these proteins in cellular components(extracellular exosomes,extracellular space,and focal adhesion),biological processes(small guanosine triphosphatase(GTPase)-mediated signal transduction,translation,and intracellular protein transport),and molecular functions(calcium ion binding,GTP binding,and poly(A)RNA binding).Additionally,metabolic pathway analysis confirmed that protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum is the most related metabolic pathway,followed by those of ribosomes,phagosomes,endocytosis,complement,and coagulation cascades.This study,aimed at decoding the DM composition,advances our understanding of the potential biological functions of DMSPs.