Genetically modified pigs:Emerging animal models for hereditary hearing loss

Hereditary hearing loss(HHL),a genetic disorder that impairs auditory function,significantly affects quality of life and incurs substantial economic losses for society.To investigate the underlying causes of HHL and evaluate therapeutic outcomes,appropriate animal models are necessary.Pigs have been extensively used as valuable large animal models in biomedical research.In this review,we highlight the advantages of pig models in terms of ear anatomy,inner ear morphology,and electrophysiological characteristics,as well as recent advancements in the development of distinct genetically modified porcine models of hearing loss.Additionally,we discuss the prospects,challenges,and recommendations regarding the use pig models in HHL research.Overall,this review provides insights and perspectives for future studies on HHL using porcine models.

Nucleus Transfer Efficiency of Ear Fibroblast Cells Isolated from Bama Miniature Pigs at Various Ages

Summary： Somatic cell nucleus transfer （SCNT） has been considered the most effective method for conserving endangered animals and expanding the quantity of adult animal models. Bama miniature pigs are genetically stable and share similar biological features to humans. These pigs have been used to establish animal models for human diseases, and for many other applications. However, there is a pan- city of studies on the effect of ear fibroblasts derived from different age of adult Bama miniature pigs on nucleus transfer （NT）. The present study examined the NT efficiency of ear fibroblasts from fetal, new- born, 1-, 2-, 4-, 6-, 12-month-old miniature pigs by using trypan blue staining, flow cytometry and NT technique, etc., and the cell biological function and SCNT efficiency were compared between groups. The results showed that ear fibroblasts grew well after passage in each group. Spindle-shaped cells ini- tially predominated, and gradually declined with increase of culture time and replaced by polygonal cells. Irregular cell growth occurred in the 2-month-old group and the elder groups. The growth curves of the ear fibroblasts were ＂S-shaped＂ in different age groups. The cell proliferation of postnatal ear fi- broblasts, especially those from 2-, 4-, 6-, 12-month-old miniature pigs was significantly different from that of fetus ear fibroblasts （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Two-month- and 4-month-old ear fibroblasts had a sig- nificantly higher proportion of G1 stage cells （85% to 91%） than those at 6 and 12 months （66% to 74%, P〈0.01）. The blastocyst rate of reconstructed embryos originating from newborn, 1-, 2-, 4-month-old donor pigs was 6.06% to 7.69% with no significant difference from that in fetus fibroblast group （8.06%）. It was concluded that 〈4-month-old adult Bama miniature pigs represent a better donor cell resource than elder pigs.

A Novel Fusion System Based on Iris and Ear Biometrics for E-exams

With the rapid spread of the coronavirus epidemic all over the world,educational and other institutions are heading towards digitization.In the era of digitization,identifying educational e-platform users using ear and iris based multi-modal biometric systems constitutes an urgent and interesting research topic to pre-serve enterprise security,particularly with wearing a face mask as a precaution against the new coronavirus epidemic.This study proposes a multimodal system based on ear and iris biometrics at the feature fusion level to identify students in electronic examinations(E-exams)during the COVID-19 pandemic.The proposed system comprises four steps.Thefirst step is image preprocessing,which includes enhancing,segmenting,and extracting the regions of interest.The second step is feature extraction,where the Haralick texture and shape methods are used to extract the features of ear images,whereas Tamura texture and color histogram methods are used to extract the features of iris images.The third step is feature fusion,where the extracted features of the ear and iris images are combined into one sequential fused vector.The fourth step is the matching,which is executed using the City Block Dis-tance(CTB)for student identification.Thefindings of the study indicate that the system’s recognition accuracy is 97%,with a 2%False Acceptance Rate(FAR),a 4%False Rejection Rate(FRR),a 94%Correct Recognition Rate(CRR),and a 96%Genuine Acceptance Rate(GAR).In addition,the proposed recognition sys-tem achieved higher accuracy than other related systems.

Effects of dietary Hermetia illucens meal inclusion on cecal microbiota and small intestinal mucin dynamics and infiltration with immune cells of weaned piglets

Background: The constant interaction between diet and intestinal barrier has a crucial role in determining gut health in pigs. Hermetia illucens(HI) meal(that represents a promising, alternative feed ingredient for production animals) has recently been demonstrated to influence colonic microbiota, bacterial metabolite profile and mucosal immune status of pigs, but no data about modulation of gut mucin dynamics are currently available. The present study evaluated the effects of dietary HI meal inclusion on the small intestinal mucin composition of piglets, as well as providing insights into the cecal microbiota and the mucosal infiltration with immune cells.Results: A total of 48 weaned piglets were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments(control diet [C] and 5% or10% HI meal inclusion [HI5 and HI10], with 4 replicate boxes/treatment and 4 animals/box) and slaughtered after61 days of trial(3 animals/box, 12 piglets/diet). The cecal microbiota assessment by 16 S r RNA amplicon based sequencing showed higher beta diversity in the piglets fed the HI-based diets than the C(P < 0.001). Furthermore,the HI-fed animals showed increased abundance of Blautia, Chlamydia, Coprococcus, Eubacterium, Prevotella,Roseburia, unclassified members of Ruminococcaceae, Ruminococcus and Staphylococcus when compared to the C group(FDR < 0.05). The gut of the piglets fed the HI-based diets showed greater neutral mucin percentage than the C(P < 0.05), with the intestinal neutral mucins of the HI-fed animals being also higher than the sialomucins and the sulfomucins found in the gut of the C group(P < 0.05). Furthermore, the piglets fed the HI-based diets displayed lower histological scores in the jejunum than the other gut segments(ileum [HI5] or ileum and duodenum [HI10], P < 0.05).Conclusions: Dietary HI meal utilization positively influenced the cecal microbiota and the small intestinal mucin dynamics of the piglets in terms of selection of potentially beneficial bacteria and preservation of mature mucin secretory architecture, without determining the development of gut inflammation. These findings further confirm the suitability of including insect meal in swine diets.

Porcine methionine sulfoxide reductase B3:molecular cloning,tissue-specific expression profiles,and polymorphisms associated with ear size in Sus scrofa

Background： In Sus scrofa, methionine sulfoxide reductase B3（MSRB3） is a crucial candidate gene for ear size, and an important conformational trait of pig breeds. However, challenges in MSRB3 c DNA amplification have prevented further identification of MSRB3 allelic variants influencing pig ear size.Results： We cloned a full-length c DNA sequence of porcine MSRB3 by rapid-amplification of c DNA ends. The3,765-bp gene contained a 5＇-untranslated region（UTR）（190 bp）, a coding region（552 bp）, and a 3＇-UTR（3,016 bp） and shared 84 %, 84 %, 87 %, 86 %, and 70 % sequence identities with human, orangutan, mouse, chicken, and zebrafish,respectively. The gene encoded a 183-amino acid protein, which shared 88 %, 91 %, 89 %, 86 %, and 67 % identities with human, orangutan, mouse, chicken, and zebrafish, respectively. Tissue expression analysis using q RT-PCR revealed that MSRB3 was expressed in the heart, liver, lung, kidney, spleen, ear, muscle, fat, lymph, skeletal, and hypothalamic tissues. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms（SNPs） were identified in MSRB3： c.-735 C 〉 T in the 5＇ flanking region,c.2571 T 〉 C in the 3＇-UTR, and a synonymous mutation of c.484 T 〉 C in the coding region. The SNPs c.-735 C 〉 T and c.2571 T 〉 C were significantly associated with ear size in a Large White × Minzhu F2 population other than in Beijing Black pigs. Subsequently, at SNP c.-735 C 〉 T, the m RNA of MSRB3 was significantly higher expressed in ears of individuals with the TT genotype（Minzhu） than those with CC（Large White）.Conclusions： The porcine MSRB3 owned a 3,765-bp full-length c DNA sequence and was detected to express in ear tissue. Two SNPs of this gene were shown to be significantly associated with ear size in a Large White × Minzhu intercross population instead of Beijing Black pig population. What＇s more, the individuals with higher m RNA expression of MSRB3 have larger ear sizes. These results provide useful information for further functional analyses of MSRB3 influencing ear size in pigs.

Porcine LEM domain-containing 3: Molecular cloning, functional characterization, and polymorphism associated with ear size

Ear size exhibits remarkable diversity in pig breeds. LEM domain-containing 3 （LEMD3） on chromosome 5 is considered as an important candidate for porcine ear size. This is the first study on cloning and characterization of LEMD3 cDNA. The complete cDNA contains 4 843 bp, including a 2 736-bp open reading frame （ORF）, a 37-bp 5＂-untranslated region （UTR） and a 2070-bp 3＂-UTR. The complete LEMD3 gene is 126241-bp and contains 13 exons and 12 introns. The ORF encodes a deduced LEMD3 protein of 911 amino acids, which shares 82-94% nucleic acid and 51-96% amino acid identity with other species. A phylogenetic tree constructed based on the amino acid sequences revealed that the porcine LEMD3 protein was closely related with cattle LEMD3. Resequencing of the ORF and promoter of LEMD3 from Minzhu pig and Large White revealed three single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs）： L964C〉A in the complete coding region, L4625A〉G in the 3＂ UTR, and L-394T〉C in the promoter region. Genome-wide association study （GWAS） revealed that all of SNPs were shown significant association with ear size in Large WhitexMinzhu pig intercross population. With conditional GWAS, -Iogl0（P-value） decreased by more than 80% when each of three SNPs was included as a fixed effect. These results suggested direct involvement of LEMD3 or close linkage to the causative mutation for ear size. The findings of this study might form the basis for understanding the genetic mechanism of ear size variation in pigs and provide potential molecular markers for screening ear size diversity in pig breeds.

浅析《夏洛的网》中“SOME PIG”“TERRIFIC”和“RADIANT”的翻译

E.B.怀特的Charlotte’s Web(《夏洛的网》)以其优美朴实的语言与感人至深的故事情节深受人们喜爱,文章评析了康馨和任溶溶对"SOME PIG""TERRIFIC"和"RADIANT"这三个词的中文翻译,认为译文除须准确达意且考虑儿童认知外,还须契合标识语简洁易认的特征。作者认为原作品是儿童文学,那么译作就应该像童话;原作品语言生动朴实,译文也就应该简单活泼;这三个词拼写简单,译文也应该短小凝练。

Thermal Diversities of Two Na^+/H^+ Exchanges in Guinea Pig Red Cells

Objective\ To test the effect of hypothermia on Na+/H+ exchange, activated by shrinkage and cytoplasmic acidosis. Method\ Amiloride-sensitive Na+ influx in guinea pig red cells was traced with isotope 22Na and intracellular Na+ concentration was measured by emission flame photometry. Result\ Amiloride-sensitive Na+ influx decreased linearly as a function of temperatures (about 37℃) in shrunken cells, but increased in acidified cells. The up-regulation of acid-induced Na+/H+ exchange by elevated temperature was enhanced by hypo-osmolarity. Less sensitivity of intracellular H+ site at 41℃ may be the mechanism for the inhibition of shrinkage-induced Na+/H+ exchange by elevated temperature. Heating-mediated explosive increase in the activity of acid-induced Na+/H+ exchange may be due to enhanced extracellular Na+ sensitivity and lower intracellular pH caused by acidic metabolites. Acid-induced Na+/H+ ewxchange contributes to cytoplasmic Na+ accumulation. Conclusion\ These two modes of Na+/H+ exchange with different response to elevated temperature may play different roles in the cellular pathogenesis of heatstroke.

Effects of liquid feeding of corn condensed distiller's solubles and whole stillage on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and sensory traits of pigs

Background： The immense growth in global bioethanol production has greatly increased the supply of by-products such as whole stillage and condensed distiller＇s solubles, which could be potentially used for animal feeding. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of liquid feeding high levels of corn condensed distiller＇s solubles（CCDS） and whole stillage（CWS） on growth performance, carcass characteristics, belly firmness and meat sensory traits of pigs.Methods： A total of 256 pigs were blocked by sex and initial BW（13.5 ± 2.5 kg）, and pens of pigs（8 pigs/pen） were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatments（8 pens/treatment）： 1） corn-soybean meal based diet as control, 2） 25%CWS ＋ 5% CCDS, 3） 19.5% CWS ＋ 10.5% CCDS, and 4） 19.5, 26, and 32.5% CWS ＋ 10.5, 14, and 17.5% CCDS in phases 1（28 d）, 2（38 d）, and 3（60 d）, respectively. Inclusion levels of CCDS and CWS for Treatments 1, 2, and 3 were fixed during all the three phases of the experiment. Inclusion levels of CWS and CCDS were on 88% dry matter basis. The liquid feeding system delivered feed from the mixing tank to feed troughs by high-pressure air, had sensors inside feed troughs, and recorded daily feed intake on the basis of a reference feed intake curve. The pigs were fed 5 to 10 times per day with increasing frequency during the experiment.Results： Control pigs had greater（P 0.10） dressing percentage, loin muscle depth, and lean percentage were observed among the four treatments. Inclusion of CWS and CCDS reduced（P 0.10） the overall like,flavor, tenderness and juiciness of loin chops when compared with the control group.Conclusion： In conclusion, our results indicate that including 30–50% of a mixture of whole stillage and condensed distiller＇s solubles in the growing-finishing diets may reduce growth performance, carcass weight and belly firmness, but does not affect pork sensory traits.

Decomposition and Mineralization Effect of Various Sources of Pig Manure on Water Quality and Nutrients Availability for Agro-Fish System in Benin

In spite of the relevance of current studies on the importance of organic fertilizers such as animal manure in improving the health of ecosystems, little is known about the biochemical mechanisms affecting the availability of nutrients released from the organic fertilizer in water. A litter bag study during 6 weeks was carried out in pots containing 25 liters of water with 15 g of pig dejections as organic fertilizers. The experimental design was a completely randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of dejections of pigs nourished with: recommended diet composition T1, partially improved diet with Azolla filiculoides T2, improved diet with Azolla filiculoides T3, improved diet with cereal bran T4. A control treatment without dejection (T0) was considered in the study for comparison purpose. Four pigs per type of diet were considered leading to 16 white landrace pigs of six months age followed for dejection collections. Strong release of nutrients for better yield for agro-fish system was obtained in the manure T1 with ??(10.85 ± 0.00) mg/L;?( 0.011 ± 0.00) mg/L;?(2.13 ± 0.07) mg/L and K+ (10.76 ± 0.57) mg/L;Ca2+ (2.92 ± 0.11) mg/L and Mg2+ (2.53 ± 0.00) mg/L followed by manure T3 and T4 with high N content. The relatively low ratio C/N (14.25) for T1 and (15.84) for T3 induced more nutrients releasing. This study showed an important N loss probably due to microorganism activities which fluctuate nutrient availability. Also significant correlations were noted between the nutrient dynamics in water and physicochemical parameters showing the effect of abiotic factors on organic matter decomposition and mineralization which depend on microbial activities in water and pig manure composition.

基于改进Otsu算法的生猪热红外图像耳根特征区域检测

为研究规模化生猪养殖场中非接触式体温检测方法,以自行设计的热红外图像采集器采集生猪图像,选取HSV颜色空间对图像进行变换,生成S层图像,应用形态学特征闭运算对二值化图像去噪。用改进后的Otsu算法,分别对仔猪、育肥猪和妊娠猪图像耳根特征区域进行检测。结果表明,该方法可以100%正确检测具有完整耳根部特征的仔猪、育肥猪、妊娠猪图像;对于耳根部特征不完整的仔猪图像23%可正确进行检测,育肥猪图像25%可正确进行检测,妊娠猪图像33%可正确进行检测;无法检测不具有耳根部特征的图像。

滇南小耳猪肌源性因子5(MYF5)基因多态性研究

肌源性因子5(myogenic factor 5,MYF5)被认为是猪肌肉生长发育的重要基因,为探究MYF5基因的遗传变异对滇南小耳猪生长性状的影响,以期为优质滇南小耳猪肉新品种(系)培育提供有效的分子遗传标记,本试验以MYF5为候选基因,杜洛克猪(n=40)为对照组,筛选滇南小耳猪(n=18)的优势SNP位点,并对筛选的优势SNP与其主要胴体及肉质性状进行关联分析。结果显示,在滇南小耳猪MYF5基因检出的16个SNP位点中,1个位于编码区,为同义突变,并筛选到4个优势SNP。关联分析结果表明,滇南小耳猪MYF5基因1486、1574、1629以及1701位点间突变频率一致且有相近的遗传图距,连锁紧密。A1486G位点分别为GG、AG、AA基因型;G1574A位点分别为AA、GA、GG基因型;C1629T位点分别为TT、CT、CC基因型;T1701C位点分别为CC、TC、TT基因型。就肌内脂肪含量而言,MM基因型极显著高于MN基因型(P<0.01),MM基因型显著高于NN基因型(P<0.05),NN基因型显著高于MN基因型(P<0.05)。就大理石纹评分而言,MM基因型极显著高于NN基因型(P<0.01),MM基因型极显著高于MN基因型(P<0.01),MN基因型极显著高于NN基因型(P<0.01)。因此,本研究可基本推断在有关作用于滇南小耳猪种肉质性状的基因中,MYF5基因较为关键。该试验结论可为滇南小耳猪育种中改善肉品质等性状给予分子标记支撑。

基于C/S结构商品猪场生产管理系统的构建

通过对商品猪场生产周期的研究分析,得出商品猪场信息化生产管理的需求,以两层C/S结构作为系统设计模型,采用VB.NET语言和SQL数据库进行系统开发。系统将商品猪场生产过程分为母猪发情配种阶段、母猪产仔阶段和仔猪生长阶段,并对三个阶段的系统功能和所需数据库进行设计。通过设计完成了系统的初步开发,实现了新用户注册、参数输入、猪场生产管理等功能。

小麦S波段多层后向散射模型

针对麦穗出现后小麦生长期的微波散射特性,基于矢量辐射传输理论(VRT),建立了小麦S波段多层后向散射模型。模型把小麦冠层划分为麦穗层、麦秆叶层和土壤层,并基于能量守恒的矢量辐射传输理论,对电磁波强度的反射、吸收和传输进行了分析,采用5项后向散射贡献构成冠层总后向散射。模型的解析首先采用先进积分方程模型(AIEM)对土壤粗糙面的后向散射进行模拟,然后利用消光矩阵和相矩阵分别计算散射能量的衰减和散射方向的变化,最后利用Mueller矩阵获得最终的解析解。该文选用2011年川西实验场测量的小麦S波段散射数据对构建的模型进行验证与分析,模型的模拟值与实测值吻合较好。研究结果表明麦穗出现后对小麦冠层后向散射影响较大,建模时有必要单独考虑麦穗的影响。

猪细小病毒弱毒株（PPV_（s－1）A）及其疫苗的免疫效力

以ＰＰＶｓ－１Ａ株弱毒肌肉接种后备母猪２头，每头注射１ｍＬ。接种后第８天的ＨＩ价为１２８～２５６。以后抗体上升，攻毒前ＨＩ价平均为１２８０。对照母猪２头ＨＩ抗体均为阴性。４头母猪配种后，怀孕至３８～４０ｄ时攻毒，结果从接种母猪的血浆中没有分离到病毒，而对照母猪的血浆中则分离到病毒。攻毒４０ｄ后宰杀，接种母猪共怀２５头胎猪，从它们的脏器中均没有分离到病毒，而对照母猪共怀２３头胎猪，其中有１０头的脏器分离到病毒。４批弱毒苗免疫１１头５．５月龄阴性猪，１周内全部产生抗体反应，１个月时平均ＨＩ价为５９９，免疫后１～７个月攻毒，结果免疫猪的血浆和内脏均未分离到病毒，相反，８头对照猪在攻毒前ＨＩ价保持阴性，攻毒后１周ＨＩ１０２４～４０９６，从血浆和内脏都分离到病毒。试验证明，弱毒苗免疫持续期至少为７个月；保存期１１个月。

基于骨架扫描策略的生猪耳根体表温度FDSST检测方法

为了实现生猪耳根体表温度自动检测,减少快速判别尺寸空间跟踪(Fast discriminative scale space tracking,FDSST)方法在热红外视频中进行头部跟踪产生的误差,提出了一种利用骨架扫描策略改进FDSST的生猪耳根体表温度检测方法。首先对视频的初始帧进行预处理,提取精简后的生猪整体骨架;其次,设计骨架扫描策略,扫描头部骨架前端关键点,实现头部在初始帧的定位;再次,采用FDSST跟踪生猪头部,每连续跟踪N帧后,采用骨架扫描策略重新定位头部,减少跟踪框漂移;最后提出耳根体表温度提取方法,根据头部左右耳侧温度分布,提取耳根温度并误差校正。利用采集到的30只生猪的视频数据,在Matlab平台上进行了测试,并与FDSST算法、压缩感知跟踪和核相关滤波跟踪等高效算法对比分析。结果表明,本文方法的跟踪平均精确度分别提高了7.82、11.82、8.78个百分点,提取的耳根最大温度误差为0.32℃。

B/S结构的种猪信息云服务平台构建

目前种猪养殖信息系统使用成本高、对技术素养的要求高、人性化设计不够等特点造成信息系统难普及,降低种猪养殖的效益。为简化用户的使用条件,降低成本,提高效益,采用以B/S结构为基础,按照4A标准的网络服务,构建按需付费的种猪信息云服务平台,用户无需懂得高深的计算机、网络和数据库技术,无需投入大量资金购买设备和聘用人员维护系统,只需支付使用费用即可使用服务平台,实现种猪全生命周期标准化、规范化管理和日常运营智能化管理。

基于B/S结构的猪场管理信息系统的设计

本文介绍了基于B/S结构的猪场管理信息系统的设计,并从系统设计和系统模块功能两个方面进行了详细的说明。该系统可对猪只进行全程跟踪管理,提高管理水平,从而实现猪场经济效益的增加。

大剂量放疗后豚鼠内耳螺旋神经节细胞Caspase3的表达

目的:探讨一次性大剂量放射治疗(放疗)后豚鼠内耳螺旋神经节细胞(SGC)的损伤情况。方法:白化豚鼠40只随机分为5组,每组8只,右耳为放疗组,左耳为对照组。豚鼠右耳颞部做一次性60Co照射70Gy。分别于放疗后1、4、7、14和30d处死,行耳蜗中轴切片HE染色及免疫组织化学染色。结果:HE染色显示放疗组的SGC在放疗后不同时间点均出现萎缩,放疗后各不同时间点螺旋神经节细胞萎缩率与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。放疗组SGC的Caspase3的阳性表达比对照组增强,放疗后不同时间点SGC的Caspase3光密度值与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:放疗可引起内耳SGC的损伤,Caspase3在SGC的表达上调可能与细胞损伤有关。

豚鼠内耳S-100蛋白的表达

目的应用免疫组化方法观察豚鼠内耳S-100蛋白的表达。方法选用健康,Preyer’s反射正常豚鼠8只,4%多聚甲醛活体灌注后耳蜗冰冻切片,采取SP免疫组化方法进行S-100蛋白染色。结果耳蜗Corti’s器内外毛细胞,Deiter及Hensen细胞呈阳性表达,基底膜下细胞未着色,螺旋缘齿间细胞,螺旋神经节细胞间纤维,螺旋韧带及血管纹均呈阳性表达。前庭毛细胞及感觉上皮下的神经纤维亦呈阳性表达。结论所及前庭末梢器官的感觉细胞及神经S-100蛋白免疫组化阳性反应提示该部位的细胞具有离子交换、分泌、吸收、保护及支持的多功能作用并与内耳神经成熟有关。