Quantitative trait loci for porcine white blood cells and platelet-related traits in a White Duroc x Erhualian F resource population

White blood cell count and platelets are implicated as risk factors for common complex diseases. Genetic factors substantially affect these traits in humans and mice. However, little is known about the genetic architecture of these traits in pigs. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for leucocyte- and platelet-related traits in pigs, the total leucocyte number and differential leucocyte counts including the fraction of basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and a series of platelet parameters including platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and plateletcrit were measured in 1033 F(2) animals on 240 days from a White Duroc x Erhualian intercross resource population. A total of 183 informative microsatellites distributed across 19 pig chromosomes (SSC) were genotyped across the entire resource population. Thirty-three QTL were identified for the examined traits, including eight genome-wide significant QTL for white blood cells and differential leucocyte counts on SSC2, 7, 8, 12 and 15 and six significant QTL for platelet-related traits on SSC2, 8, 13 and X. Erhualian or White Duroc alleles were not systematically associated with increased phenotypic values. These results not only confirmed many QTL identified previously in the mouse and swine, but also revealed a number of novel QTL for the traits recorded. Moreover, it is the first time that QTL for platelet-related traits in pigs have been reported.

Development of a portable analyzer with polymer lab-on-a-chip (LOC) for continuous sampling and monitoring of Pb(II)

A new portable analyzer with polymer lab-on-a-chip (LOC) has been designed, fabricated and fully characterized for continuous sampling and monitoring of lead (Pb(II)) in this work. As the working electrodes of the sensor, bismuth (Bi (III)) which allowed the advantage of being more environmentally friendly than traditional mercury drop electrodes was used, while maintaining similar sensitivity and other desirable characteristics. The size of a portable analyzer was 30 cmx23 cmx7 cm, and the weight was around 3 kg. The small size gives the advantage of being portable for field use while not sacrificing portability for accuracy of measurement. Furthermore, the autonomous system developed in coordination with the development of new polymer LOC integrated with electrochemical sensors can provide an innovative way to monitor surface waters in an efficient, cost-effective and sustainable manner.

Telmisartan versus angiotension-converting enzyme inhibitors in the treatment of hypertension: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Telmisartan and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are both effective and widely used antihypertensive drugs targeting renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The study aimed to estimate the efficacy and tolerability of telmisartan in comparison with different ACEIs as monotherapy in the treatment of hypertension. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed and Embase were searched for relevant studies. A meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials fulfilling the predefined criteria was performed. A random-effect model was used to account for heterogeneity among trials. Twenty-eight randomized controlled trials involving 5157 patients were ultimately identified out of 721 studies. Telmisartan had a greater diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reduction than enalapril (weighted mean difference (WMD) 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66-2.99), ramipril (WMD 3.09, 95% CI 1.94-4.25) and perindopril (WMD 1.48, 95% CI 0.33-2.62). Telmisartan also showed a greater DBP response rate than enalapril (relative risk (RR) 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.26), ramipril (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.11-1.61) and perindopril (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.05-1.41). There was no statistical difference in DBP reduction or therapeutic response rate between telmisartan and lisinopril (WMD -0.30, 95% CI -0.65 to 0.05; RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.80-1.23, respectively). Telmisartan had fewer drug-related adverse events than enalapril (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.44-0.74), ramipril (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26-0.75), lisinopril (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.56-0.89) and perindopril (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.28-0.98). The meta-analysis indicates that telmisartan provides a superior BP control to ACEIs (enalapril, ramipril and perindopril) and has fewer drug-related adverse events and better tolerability in hypertensive patients.

Classification and management of chronic sialadenitis of the parotid gland

Saliva has numerous oral functions and multiple functions in relation to digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Chronic salivary hypofunction can lead to severe adverse health outcomes. Chronic sialadenitis is one of the major conditions that can cause salivary hypofunction. A correct diagnosis and management of chronic sialadenitis is essential for the recovery of salivary hypofunction. Chronic sialadenitis of the parotid gland is often seen in the clinic, sometimes also referred to as recurrent pyogenic parotitis, recurrent parotitis, non-obstructive parotitis, sialadenitis or obstructive parotitis, among other terms. The literature describes several different classifications and denominations for chronic sialadenitis of the parotid gland. These various classifications and denominations complicate the definition and diagnostic criteria, and if chronic sialadenitis of the parotid gland can develop into Sjogren's syndrome remains unclear. Treatment of this condition is also a challenging problem. Here, we review the presented classification and denomination of chronic sialadenitis of the parotid gland, proposing a classification based on the disease entities identified in a long-term follow-up investigation, and discuss the treatment principles for the condition.

ERCC1 mRNA levels and survival of advanced gastric cancer patients treated with a modified FOLFOX regimen

Molecular markers involved in DNA repair can help to predict survival in gastric cancer patients treated with 5-FU plus platinum chemotherapy. Excision repair cross-complementing 1 (ERCC1) and thymidylate synthase (TS) mRNA expression levels were assessed in advanced gastric cancer tumour samples using real-time quantitative PCR in 76 patients treated with a modified FOLFOX (biweekly oxaliplatin plus 5-FU and folinic acid) regimen. Median survival time in patients with low ERCC1 levels was significantly longer than in those with high levels (15.8 vs 6.2 months; P<0.0001). Patients with high TS levels had longer survival than those with low levels (12.2 vs 10.1 months; P=0.01). Forty-eight patients with low ERCC1 and high TS levels had a median survival of 16.1 months (P<0.0001). The hazard ratio for patients with high ERCC1 expression was 9.4 (P<0.0001). In patients with high mRNA levels of ERCC1, alternative chemotherapy regimens should be considered.

ERCC1 mRNA expression and XRCC1 polymorphism as predictive factors for overall survival in gastric cancer patients receiving platinum based chemotherapy

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Background: DNA repair was considered to play the key role in the platinum chemotherapy. ERCC1, XPD and XRCC1, three major components of the DNA repair pathway, are critical to outcome for patients treated with platinum based chemotherapy. Methods: Overall survival times in 48 stage III (47.9%) and IV (52.1%) gastric cancer patients were investigated. mRNA was isolated from formalin- fixed paraffin-embeded pretreatment primary tumor specimens and the relative expression of ERCC1 to the internal reference geneβ-actin was measured using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (XPD Lys751Gln and XRCC1 Arg399Gln) were also investigated using 5’ nuclease allelic discrimination assay (TaqMan). Results: Median age was 55 years (range: 23 to 75 years); 35 males and 13 females; median survival time was 397 days. The median ERCC1 gene expression level from all 48 gastric tumors was 1.16, and the cutoff values for chemotherapy was 0.30. The median survival time for patients with lower ERCC1 expression (31 of 48 patients) was 496 days, compared with 218 days for patients with higher ERCC1 expression (P < 0.0001). SNP of XRCC1 Arg399Gln was measured in 47 gastric cancer patients (97.92%). Median overall survival time was longer in patients with favorite allele G in codon 399 of XRCC1 (40 of 47 patients) than in others (respectively 420 days vs 218 days, P = 0.017). No significant relationship was found between SNP of XPD Lys751Gln and outcome of gastric cancer patients. Conclusions: These findings suggested that intratumoral ERCC1 mRNA expression and polymorphism of XRCC1 might be prominent predictive factors for overall survival of gastric cancer patients treated with platinum based chemotherapy. Multi-center clinical trial has been suggested.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Comparative analysis of serine protease-related genes in the honey bee genome: possible involvement in embryonic development and innate immunity

We have identified 44 serine protease (SP) and 13 serine protease homolog (SPH) genes in the genome of Apis mellifera. Most of these genes encode putative secreted proteins, but four SPs and three SPHs may associate with the plasma membrane via a transmembrane region. Clip domains represent the most abundant non-catalytic structural units in these SP-like proteins -12 SPs and six SPHs contain at least one clip domain. Some of the family members contain other modules for protein-protein interactions, including disulphide-stabilized structures (LDL(r)A, SRCR, frizzled, kringle, Sushi, Wonton and Pan/apple), carbohydrate-recognition domains (C-type lectin and chitin-binding), and other modules (such as zinc finger, CUB, coiled coil and Sina). Comparison of the sequences with those from Drosophila led to a proposed SP pathway for establishing the dorsoventral axis of honey bee embryos. Multiple sequence alignments revealed evolutionary relationships of honey bee SPs and SPHs with those in Drosophila melanogaster, Anopheles gambiae, and Manduca sexta. We identified homologs of D. melanogaster persephone, M. sexta HP14, PAP-1 and SPH-1. A. mellifera genome includes at least five genes for potential SP inhibitors (serpin-1 through -5) and three genes of SP putative substrates (prophenoloxidase, spätzle-1 and spätzle-2). Quantitative RT-PCR analyses showed an elevation in the mRNA levels of SP2, SP3, SP9, SP10, SPH41, SPH42, SP49, serpin-2, serpin-4, serpin-5, and spätzle-2 in adults after a microbial challenge. The SP41 and SP6 transcripts significantly increased after an injection of Paenibacillus larva, but there was no such increase after injection of saline or Escherichia coli. mRNA levels of most SPs and serpins significantly increased by 48 h after the pathogen infection in 1st instar larvae. On the contrary, SP1, SP3, SP19 and serpin-5 transcript levels reduced. These results, taken together, provide a framework for designing experimental studies of the roles of SPs and related proteins in embryonic development and immune responses of A. mellifera.

Immune pathways and defence mechanisms in honey bees Apis mellifera

Social insects are able to mount both group-level and individual defences against pathogens. Here we focus on individual defences, by presenting a genome-wide analysis of immunity in a social insect, the honey bee Apis mellifera. We present honey bee models for each of four signalling pathways associated with immunity, identifying plausible orthologues for nearly all predicted pathway members. When compared to the sequenced Drosophila and Anopheles genomes, honey bees possess roughly one-third as many genes in 17 gene families implicated in insect immunity. We suggest that an implied reduction in immune flexibility in bees reflects either the strength of social barriers to disease, or a tendency for bees to be attacked by a limited set of highly coevolved pathogens.

Gene structure and expression profile of Manduca sexta prophenoloxidase-activating proteinase-3 (PAP-3), an immune protein containing two clip domains

Prophenoloxidase-activating proteinase-3 (PAP-3) is a component of the defence system in Manduca sexta. We have isolated genomic clones and elucidated the organization of this gene. The 3' end of exon 2, the entire exon 3 and the 5' end of exon 4 encode the two amino-terminal clip domains. Southern blot analysis suggested a single copy of the PAP-3 gene in the genome. We identified several putative immune-responsive elements in the upstream region. The PAP-3 gene is not highly expressed in the fat body during larval development until the wandering stage begins. The mRNA level is high in the epithelium, fat body and haemocytes. Tissue-specific alternative splicing occurs in the fat body and trachea. A bacterial injection markedly induced the gene expression in the fat body and haemocytes.

The stem-loop region of the tobacco psbA 5'UTR is an important determinant of mRNA stability and translation efficiency

Regulation of chloroplast gene expression involves networked and concerted interactions of nucleus-encoded factors with their target sites on untranslated regions (UTRs) of chloroplast transcripts. So far, only a few cis-acting elements within such 5'UTR sequences have been identified as functional determinants of mRNA stability and efficient translation in Chlamydomonas in vivo. In this study, we have used chloroplast transformation and site-directed mutagenesis to analyse the functions of the 5'UTRs of tobacco psbA and rbcL fused to the coding region of the reporter gene uidA. Various mutant versions of the psbA leader, as well as rbcL/psbA hybrid leader elements, were investigated. Our results showed a 1.5- to 3-fold decrease in uidA mRNA levels and a 1.5- to 6-fold reduction in uidA translation efficiency in all psbA 5'UTR stem-loop mutants generated by sequence deletions and base alterations. This indicates that the correct primary sequence and secondary structure of the psbA 5'UTR stem-loop are required for mRNA stabilisation and translation. The 5'-terminal segment of the rbcL 5'UTR did not enhance the stability or translational activity of chimeric uidA mRNA under the standard light-dark regime of 16 h light and 8 h dark. Stabilising effects were, however, observed when the cells were kept continuously in the dark. Possible reasons for the influence of the 5'UTR of the tobacco psbA on mRNA stability and translation efficiency are discussed.

Cross-species hybridisation of pig RNA to human nylon microarrays

BACKGROUND

The objective of this research was to investigate the reproducibility of cross-species microarray hybridisation. Comparisons between same- and cross-species hybridisations were also made. Nine hybridisations between a single pig skeletal muscle RNA sample and three human cDNA nylon microarrays were completed. Three replicate hybridisations of two different amounts of pig RNA, and of human skeletal muscle RNA were completed on three additional microarrays.

RESULTS

Reproducibility of microarray hybridisations of pig cDNA to human microarrays was high, as determined by Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients and a Kappa statistic. Variability among replicate hybridisations was similar for human and pig data, indicating the reproducibility of results were not compromised in cross-species hybridisations. The concordance between data generated from hybridisations using pig and human skeletal muscle RNA was high, further supporting the use of human microarrays for the analysis of gene expression in the pig. No systematic effect of stripping and re-using nylon microarrays was found, and variability across microarrays was minimal.

CONCLUSION

The majority of genes generated highly reproducible data in cross-species microarray hybridisations, although approximately 6% were identified as highly variable. Experimental designs that include at least three replicate hybridisations for each experimental treatment will enable the variability of individual genes to be considered appropriately. The use of cross-species microarray analysis looks promising. However, additional validation is needed to determine the specificity of cross-species hybridisations, and the validity of results.

Efficient plastid transformation in tobacco using the aphA-6 gene and kanamycin selection

Here we report on the development of a new dominant selection marker for plastid transformation in higher plants using the aminoglycoside phosphotransferase gene aphA-6 from Acinetobacter baumannii. Vectors containing chimeric aphA-6 gene constructs were introduced into the tobacco chloroplast using particle bombardment of alginate-embedded protoplast-derived micro colonies or polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated DNA uptake. Targeted insertion into the plastome was achieved via homologous recombination, and plastid transformants were recovered on the basis of their resistance to kanamycin. Variations in kanamycin resistance in transplastomic lines were observed depending on the 5' and 3' regulatory elements associated with the aphA-6 coding region. Transplastomic plants were fertile and showed maternal inheritance of the transplastome in the progeny.

Direct splitting of water under visible light irradiation with an oxide semiconductor photocatalyst

The photocatalytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen using solar energy is a potentially clean and renewable source for hydrogen fuel. The first photocatalysts suitable for water splitting, or for activating hydrogen production from carbohydrate compounds made by plants from water and carbon dioxide, were developed several decades ago. But these catalysts operate with ultraviolet light, which accounts for only 4% of the incoming solar energy and thus renders the overall process impractical. For this reason, considerable efforts have been invested in developing photocatalysts capable of using the less energetic but more abundant visible light, which accounts for about 43% of the incoming solar energy. However, systems that are sufficiently stable and efficient for practical use have not yet been realized. Here we show that doping of indium-tantalum-oxide with nickel yields a series of photocatalysts, In(1-x)Ni(x)TaO(4) (x = 0-0.2), which induces direct splitting of water into stoichiometric amounts of oxygen and hydrogen under visible light irradiation with a quantum yield of about 0.66%. Our findings suggest that the use of solar energy for photocatalytic water splitting might provide a viable source for 'clean' hydrogen fuel, once the catalytic efficiency of the semiconductor system has been improved by increasing its surface area and suitable modifications of the surface sites.

[Relationship between cholinesterase, prothrombin activity and albumin and the pathology of the liver]

BACKGROUND

To investigate the relationship between serum cholinesterase, albumin and plasma prothrombin activity and the pathology of the liver in patients with viral hepatitis.

METHODS

Totally 135 patients diagnosed as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and/or severe hepatitis with needle biopsy of liver were enrolled in this study. Serum cholinesterase and albumin of the patients were detected with enzyme rate method; meanwhile, their plasma prothrombin activity was detected with turbidimetry test.

RESULTS

The percentage of decrease of the level of serum cholinesterase was higher than that of albumin and plasma prothrombin activity in chronic mild and moderate hepatitis; the level of serum cholinesterase, albumin and plasma prothrombin activity decreased gradually followed by the exacerbation of inflammatory reaction (P<0.001) and by the elevation of degree of fibrosis of the liver (P <0.001) their correlation coefficient was 0.720 to 0.778 (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The level of serum cholinesterase could better a nd more sensitively reflect the synthetic function and the damage of the pathology of the liver than that of albumin and plasma prothrombin activity could do, they all negatively correlated with the pathology of the liver.

Genetic tracing reveals a stereotyped sensory map in the olfactory cortex

The olfactory system translates myriad chemical structures into diverse odour perceptions. To gain insight into how this is accomplished, we prepared mice that coexpressed a transneuronal tracer with only one of about 1,000 different odorant receptors. The tracer travelled from nasal neurons expressing that receptor to the olfactory bulb and then to the olfactory cortex, allowing visualization of cortical neurons that receive input from a particular odorant receptor. These studies revealed a stereotyped sensory map in the olfactory cortex in which signals from a particular receptor are targeted to specific clusters of neurons. Inputs from different receptors overlap spatially and could be combined in single neurons, potentially allowing for an integration of the components of an odorant's combinatorial receptor code. Signals from the same receptor are targeted to multiple olfactory cortical areas, permitting the parallel, and perhaps differential, processing of inputs from a single receptor before delivery to the neocortex and limbic system.

[Radiographic study of the development of the permanent teeth]

OBJECTIVE

To study the development of permanent teeth by radiographic methods.

METHODS

The permanent teeth development of children ranging from 4-17 years was evaluated from 1709 panoramic radiographs by the Nolla's method. Each tooth was graded from 0 to 10 stage. The average developmental stage for girls and boys were calculated.

RESULTS

The average developmental stage and development curves for girls and boys were obtained respectively. For the completion of crown and root development, girls are more advanced than boys by an average of 0.3 and 0.6 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Girls are ahead of boys for the development of the permanent teeth. The norms of the maturation of permanent teeth can be used to evaluated the development of the individual teeth.

A study of titanium nitride diffusion barriers between aluminum and silicon by X-ray absorption spectroscopy: the Si, Ti and N results

We report a multi-elment, multi-edge and multi-detection mode X-ray photoabsorption study of a series of Al/TiN(x)/Si(100) thin films as a function of the TiN(x) film thickness (100A-500A) and of the annealing temperature (400 degrees C-600 degrees C). The Si K- and L-edge results show that Si does not diffuse to the surface for all the films. The high resolution Ti L-edge and N K-edge spectra show that the TiN(x) layer undergoes a dramatic chemical reaction with the gradual increase in the annealing temperature. This chemical reaction stabilizes at 560 degrees C at which the TiN(x) film is known to fail to act as an effective diffusion barrier between Al and Si.

Structure and chromosomal localization of the RAE28/HPH1 gene, a human homologue of the polyhomeotic gene

The Polycomb group of (Pc-G) genes and trithorax group of genes are known to play a crucial role in the maintenance of the transcriptional repression state of Hox genes, probably through modification of the chromatin configuration. The rae28/mph1 gene is a mammalian homologue of the Drosophila polyhomeotic gene, which belongs to the Pc-G genes. As reported previously, we established mice deficient in the rae28/mph1 gene and showed that these homozygous animals displayed the developmental defects compatible with a human congenital disorder, CATCH22 syndrome. In this study we analyzed the structural organization of the human counterpart of the rae28/mph1 gene (RAE28/HPH1) and its processed pseudogene (psiPH), which are located on, respectively, human chromosome 12p13 and 12q13. The HPH1 gene consists of 15 exons spanning approximately 26 kb and its structural organization is well conserved between mouse and human. These genetic information of the RAE28/HPH1 gene may provide an important clue for further examination of its involvement in human congenital disorders related to CATCH22 syndrome.