Description of two new MICA alleles: MICA*058 and MICA*002:03

We describe two novel alleles, MICA*058 and MICA* 002:03.

Circulating testosterone and SHBG concentrations are heritable in women: the Framingham Heart Study

CONTEXT

Many factors influence the concentration of circulating testosterone and its primary binding protein, SHBG. However, little is known about the genetic contribution to their circulating concentrations in women, and their heritability in women is not well established.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to estimate the heritability of circulating total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), and SHBG in women in families from the Framingham Heart Study.

METHODS

Women in the Framingham Heart Study who were not pregnant, had not undergone bilateral oophorectomy, and were not using exogenous hormones were eligible for this investigation. TT was measured using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and SHBG using an immunofluorometric assay (Delfia-Wallac), and FT was calculated. Heritability estimates were calculated using variance-components methods in Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routines (SOLAR) and were adjusted for age, age(2), body mass index (BMI), BMI(2), diabetes, smoking, and menopausal status. Bivariate analyses were done to assess genetic correlation between TT, FT, and SHBG.

RESULTS

A total of 2685 women were studied including 868 sister pairs and 688 mother-daughter pairs. Multivariable adjusted heritability estimates were 0.26 ± 0.05 for FT, 0.26 ± 0.05 for TT, and 0.56 ± 0.05 for SHBG (P < 1.0 × 10(-7) for all). TT was genetically correlated with SHBG [genetic correlation coefficient (ρG) = 0.31 ± 0.10] and FT (ρG = 0.54 ± 0.09), whereas SHBG was inversely correlated with FT (ρG = -0.60 ± 0.08).

CONCLUSION

Circulating TT, FT, and SHBG concentrations in women are significantly heritable, underscoring the importance of further work to identify the specific genes that contribute significantly to variation in sex steroid concentrations in women. The strong shared genetic component among pairs of TT, FT, and SHBG concentrations suggests potential pleiotropic effects for some of the underlying genes.

Response of grape root borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) neonates to root extracts from Vitaceae species and rootstocks

Observations at regular intervals of the location of newly hatched grape root borer, Vitacea polistiformis (Harris), larvae moving freely within circular petri dish bioassays were used to measure and compare their response to dry filter paper discs treated with ethanol- or hexane-based extracts of roots from known and potential Vitaceae hosts and a nonhost. Larvae responded most strongly to discs treated with ethanol extracts, suggesting the presence of behaviorally active, polar compounds associated with roots. In single extract bioassays comparing extract versus solvent treated discs, larvae responded positively to ethanol extracts from all Vitis species and rootstocks and Virginia creeper [Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch.], but not to apple (Malus domestica Borkh). Paired extract bioassays, in which an extract from the commercially important 3309 rootstock was used as the standard and presented simultaneously with extracts from other root sources, revealed examples of equal, significantly weaker and significantly stronger responses to the 3309 extract. Extracts of the 420 A and V. riparia 'Gloire' rootstocks appeared to possess qualities that elicited a consistently greater response than to 3309 extract in these pair-wise comparisons. The active compounds were eluted in ethanol during a 30-min extraction; larvae responded equally to 30- and 60-min 3309 root extracts in paired extract bioassays. Larvae responded equally to extracts of 3309 roots from three spatially separate vineyards in northern Virginia. These results are discussed in relation to the subterranean, plant-insect interactions of grape root borer neonates with the numerous native and non-native Vitis species that may serve as hosts in the eastern United States.

Sequence variation and genetic diversity in the giant panda

About 336-444 bp mitochondrial D-loop region and tRNA gene were sequenced for 40 individuals of the giant panda which were collected from Mabian, Meigu, Yuexi, Baoxing, Pingwu, Qingchuan, Nanping and Baishuijiang, respectively. 9 haplotypes were found in 21 founders. The results showed that the giant panda has low genetic variations, and that there is no notable genetic isolation among geographical populations. The ancestor of the living giant panda population perhaps appeared in the late Pleistocene, and unfortunately, might have suffered bottleneck attacks. Afterwards, its genetic diversity seemed to recover to some extent.

A new biodosimetric method: branched DNA-based quantitative detection of B1 DNA in mouse plasma

A simple and accurate method for measuring the biological effects of radiation is of increasing importance, especially in mass casualty scenarios. We have therefore developed a new biodosimetric technique targeting circulating B1 DNA in mouse plasma by branched DNA signal amplification for rapid quantification of plasma DNA. This technology targets repetitive elements of the B1 retrotransposon in the mouse genome, followed by signal amplification using Panomics Quantigene 2.0 reagents. Evaluation was conducted concerning precision, accuracy and linearity. Plasma samples were collected from mice 0-24 h after 0-10 Gy total body irradiation (TBI). The average inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variance were 8.7% and 12.3%, respectively. The average recovery rate of spiked DNA into plasma was 89.5%. This assay revealed that when BALB/c and NIH Swiss mice were exposed to 6 Gy TBI, plasma B1 DNA levels increased significantly at 3 h post-TBI, peaked at 9 h and gradually returned toward baseline levels in 24 h. A dose-dependent change in plasma DNA was observed at 9 h post-TBI; the dose-response relation was monotonic, exhibiting linearity for BALB/c mice from 3 to 6 Gy (r = 0.993) and NIH Swiss mice from 3 to 7 Gy (r = 0.98). This branched DNA-based assay is reliable, accurate and sensitive in detecting plasma B1 DNA quantitatively. A radiation dose-correlated increase in plasma B1 DNA was demonstrated in BALB/c and NIH Swiss mice in the dose range from 3 to 6 Gy, suggesting that plasma B1 DNA has potential as a biomarker for radiation biological effect.

Relationship between response to risperidone, plasma concentrations of risperidone and CYP3A4 polymorphisms in schizophrenia patients

In this study, we examined the relationships between plasma concentrations of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone and polymorphisms of CYP3A4. All 130 schizophrenia patients (45 men, 85 women, age 15-60 years) who met DSM-IV criteria were given risperidone for 8 weeks. Clinical efficacy was determined using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). CYP3A4*1G was found to be associated with the change in total PANSS scores (Kruskal-Wallis test, P = 0.021), which was not significant on adjusting for multiple testing. Our study has, for the first time, conducted a genetic association study of the CYP3A4 gene with risperidone response. Further studies on larger groups and on the effects of the longer term risperidone treatment are needed to confirm these results.

Antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis in China

Mastitis is one of the largest production concerns in the dairy industry worldwide. Mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus is a major concern to the dairy industry because of its resistance to antibiotic treatment. In this report, the results of antibiotic susceptibility test, carried out on 236 Staphylococcus aureus isolated from milk samples which were collected from cases of mastitis in cow herds of China, are presented. The regions and number of isolates include Inner Mongolia (112), Hebei (58) and Heilongjiang (66). Susceptibility to ampicillin, penicillin G, amoxicillin, piperacillin, cephalexin, cephazolin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefoxitin, SMZ-TMP, gentamycin, kanamycin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, furaxone, torlamician, roxithromycin, clindamycin and vancomycin was determined by the disc diffusion method. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed 87.30% (206 of 236) isolates were resistant to penicillin G. This result compares with the reports from other countries; the overall level of resistance was generally high for all antimicrobial agents tested.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibit acute rejection of rat liver allografts in association with regulatory T-cell expansion

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit immunosuppressive functions in vitro and in vivo. We investigated the immunoregulatory effects of rat MSCs in a model of allogeneic liver transplantation. Brown Norway rats received livers from inbred Lewis rats, and at designated intervals, infusions of MSCs derived from recipient, donor, or third-party rats. Allograft rejection and recipient survival rates were recorded. In particular, changes in circulating regulatory T cells (Tregs) were measured. After administration of MSCs derived from each of the 3 strains, allograft recipients demonstrated markedly longer survival compared with control animals. Histologic analysis revealed significant inhibition of allograft rejection. The MSCs induced generation of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs. We concluded that MSCs inhibit acute rejection of allografts after liver transplantation, and propose that the immunoregulatory effects of MSCs are associated with expansion of Tregs.

Evaluating the use of male-produced pheromone components and plant volatiles in two trap designs to monitor Anoplophora glabripennis

Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), commonly known as the Asian longhorned beetle, is a wood-boring invasive species introduced from Asia to North America and Europe in solid wood packing material. Efficient monitoring traps are needed to assess population density and dispersal in the field and to detect new introductions at ports of entry. For this purpose, we conducted field trapping experiments in China in the summers of 2007 and 2008. In 2007, we tested Intercept panel traps hung on poplar trees. In 2008, we used Intercept panel traps hung on poplar trees, screen sleeve traps wrapped around poplar trunks, and Intercept panel traps hung on bamboo poles 20 m away from host trees. Traps were baited with A. glabripennis male-produced pheromone alone or in different combinations with plant volatiles. Traps baited with the male-produced pheromone alone caught significantly more females than control traps in both years. The addition of a mixture of (-)-linalool, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, linalool oxide, trans-caryophyllene, and trans-pinocarveol to the pheromone significantly increased trap catches of females, 85% of which were virgin. Screen sleeve traps baited with a combination of (-)-linalool and the pheromone caught the highest number of beetles overall in 2008, whereas traps placed on bamboo polls caught the lowest number. Although the logistics for the most effective implementation of a trapping program using a mixture of the pheromone and plant volatiles require additional studies, these results indicate that this pheromone has considerable promise as a monitoring tool for A. glabripennis in the field.

Attraction of Anoplophora glabripennis to male-produced pheromone and plant volatiles

The male-produced pheromone of Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), which is an equal blend of 4-(n-heptyloxy)butan-1-ol and 4-(n-heptyloxy)butanal, was used in laboratory bioassays and in the greenhouse to determine its potential for attracting A. glabripennis adults. In modified "walking wind tunnels," virgin females were most attracted to the alcohol component, and virgin males were repelled by the pheromone blend at the lowest and highest amounts offered. Y-tube olfactometer bioassays also showed that females were significantly more attracted to the pheromone and its components than males were. However, males were more attracted to plant volatiles than females. Of 12 plant volatiles tested, delta-3-carene and (E)-caryophyllene were highly attractive to males, whereas (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate was repellent to males. Combining the male pheromone blend with (-)-linalool alone or with (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol attracted significantly more males than did the pheromone alone. We tested four trap designs in our quarantine greenhouse with eight different lures. The Intercept Panel traps and the hand-made screen sleeve traps caught more beetles than the Plum Curculio traps and Lindgren funnel traps. Intercept traps worked best when baited with male blend and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, whereas screen sleeve traps were most attractive when baited with (-)-linalool. Our findings provide evidence of the attractiveness of the A. glabripennis male-produced pheromone and suggest that it has a role in mate-finding. It is also a first step toward the development of an efficient trap design and lure combination to monitor A. glabripennis infestations in the field.

Study of heat shock response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) using cDNA microarray

Genetic response of human umbilical vein cells (HUVECs) to heat shock was studied using gene expression analysis. HUVECs were subjected to heat treatment at 44 degrees C and 55 degrees C for 1 h, respectively. Four hours after the treatment, gene expression of the treated cells and control cells (37 degrees C) were profiled using cDNA microarray. Data were analyzed using bioinformatics tools, and the results were verified by real-time quantitative PCR experiment. It has been shown that a large number of genes were regulated indicating global response to heat treatment at the genetic level.

Dogwood borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) abundance and seasonal flight activity in apple orchards, urban landscapes, and woodlands in five eastern states

The relative abundance and seasonal flight activity of dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula Harris (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), was measured using weekly records from traps baited with its sex pheromone and deployed in apple orchards, urban landscapes, and native woodland sites in New York, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee in 2005 and 2006. The mean total number of moths captured per site in apple orchards was 3,146 +/- 644 and 3095 +/- 584 SE in 2005 and 2006, respectively, exceeding captures at urban sites by 16 and 13 times and at woodland sites by 210 and 206 times in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Mean total captures at urban sites exceeded those in woodland habitats by 13 and 16 times in 2005 and 2006, respectively. The mean duration (wk) of the flight period did not differ significantly between apple orchards (22.6 +/- 0.6 SE) and urban sites (20.3 +/- 1.2 SE). The onset of flight was somewhat later in New York (around early June) than further south (around early to mid-May), but moth captures continued into October in all states. Captures in apple orchards and at urban sites with higher populations were essentially continuous throughout the flight period, with substantial weekly fluctuations, and tended to show a bimodal pattern with peaks from late May through mid-July and from late August through mid-September. Captures at woodland sites tended to occur predominantly from mid-May through about mid-June and were very sporadic thereafter.