The development and characterization of a 57K single nucleotide polymorphism array for rainbow trout

In this study, we describe the development and characterization of the first high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping array for rainbow trout. The SNP array is publically available from a commercial vendor (Affymetrix). The SNP genotyping quality was high, and validation rate was close to 90%. This is comparable to other farm animals and is much higher than previous smaller scale SNP validation studies in rainbow trout. High quality and integrity of the genotypes are evident from sample reproducibility and from nearly 100% agreement in genotyping results from other methods. The array is very useful for rainbow trout aquaculture populations with more than 40 900 polymorphic markers per population. For wild populations that were confounded by a smaller sample size, the number of polymorphic markers was between 10 577 and 24 330. Comparison between genotypes from individual populations suggests good potential for identifying candidate markers for populations' traceability. Linkage analysis and mapping of the SNPs to the reference genome assembly provide strong evidence for a wide distribution throughout the genome with good representation in all 29 chromosomes. A total of 68% of the genome scaffolds and contigs were anchored through linkage analysis using the SNP array genotypes, including ~20% of the genome assembly that has not been previously anchored to chromosomes.

Finding the striatum in sheep: use of a multi-modal guided approach for convection enhanced delivery

Our goal is delivery of a long-term treatment for Huntington's disease. We administer intracerebrally in sheep adeno-associated virus (AAV) to establish optimal safety, spread and neuronal uptake of AAV based therapeutics. Sheep have large gyrencephalic brains and offer the opportunity to study a transgenic Huntington's disease model. However, lack of a relevant brain stereotactic atlas and the difficulty of skull fixation make conventional stereotaxy unreliable. We describe a multi-modal image-guidance technique to achieve accurate placement of therapeutics into the sheep striatum.

Epidemiological comparison of clinical manifestations according to HLA-B*27 carrier status of Chinese ankylosing spondylitis patients

The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the clinical manifestations between HLA-B27(+) and HLA-B27(-) ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in order to obtain knowledge of the impact of HLA-B27 status on AS, and to inform clinical treatment. A nationwide epidemiological investigation was performed from November 2008 to October 2010. The demographic data and clinical characteristics, and the status of HLA-B27 were collected using questionnaires and laboratory assay, respectively. A total of 2144 patients (78.5% males and 78.4% HLA-B27(+) AS patients) participated in this study. The percentages of males, patients with family history, and involvement of lumbar spine, thoracic spine and hip joints, were observed to be significantly higher in the HLA-B27(+) AS patients than in their HLA-B27(-) AS peers.

Gene expression profile of type II spinal cord decompression sickness

STUDY DESIGN

This study was an experimental, controlled, animal study.

OBJECTIVE

This study was to determine the changes of molecular pathology in spinal cord decompression sickness (SC-DCS) based on a rabbit model of SC-DCS with the aid of an all-gene expression profile chip.

SETTING

Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.

METHODS

A gene expression profile chip containing 43 803 genes was used to compare the gene expressions in the spinal cords of four male New Zealand white rabbits in the SC-DCS and control groups, respectively. Selected differentially expressed genes were identified with quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The chip hybridization results showed that the SC-DCS group had nine upregulated and seventeen downregulated genes, compared with the control group. These genes were mainly related to inflammation, ion channels, the cell cycle, material transfer and apoptosis. The qRT-PCR results showed that parathyroid hormone and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) genes were upregulated compared with the control group (P<0.01). However, the acyl-CoA synthetase and voltage-gated channel genes were downregulated (P<0.05). The immunohistochemical staining results confirmed that there were significantly greater expression levels of TNF-α in the spinal cord tissues of the SC-DCS group compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The spinal cord lesions of SC-DCS involve multiple gene changes in the rabbit; however, the significance of these findings needs further research. Meanwhile, the gene expression profile chip results provide us with a better understanding of the pathogenesis of DCS.

Simultaneous HPLC determination of four active compounds in fengshiding capsules, a chinese medicine

A high performance liquid chromatography method was established for simultaneously determining four bioactive components, salicin, liquiritin, paeonolum, and imperatorin in Fengshiding capsule, a widely used traditional Chinese medicine for treating rheumatic disease. The chromatographic separation was performed on a Shimadzu Shim-pack Stable Bond C18 column using gradient elution with methanol and water. The analytical method was validated through precision, repeatability and stability, and the relative standard deviation values were less than 3%, respectively. The recoveries of the four investigated compounds ranged from 95.80 to 101.21% with relative standard deviation values less than 3.2%. Then this proposed method was successfully applied to determine six batches of Fengshiding commercial products of capsule dosage form from two pharmaceutical factories. This study might provide a basis for quality control for this traditional Chinese medicine preparation.

Meta-analysis of the additional value of integrated 18FDG PET-CT for tumor distant metastasis staging: comparison with 18FDG PET alone and CT alone

BACKGROUND

We performed a meta-analysis to compare the diagnostic performance of integrated (18)FDG PET-CT with that of (18)FDG PET alone and CT alone for the overall assessment of tumor distant metastases.

METHODS

We performed a meta-analysis of 11 available articles (1107 patients). We calculated sensitivities, specificities, positive likelihood ratios, and negative likelihood ratios for integrated PET-CT, PET alone, and CT alone, respectively. We also constructed summary receiver operating characteristic curves for integrated PET-CT, PET alone, and CT alone, respectively.

RESULTS

Across 10 comparative studies (1058 patients), integrated PET-CT has higher sensitivity (0.95 vs 0.85) and similar specificity (0.96 vs 0.95) with PET alone. Across 7 comparative studies (745 patients), integrated PET-CT has higher sensitivity (0.97 vs 0.80) and similar specificity (0.97 vs 0.94) with CT alone.

CONCLUSION

Integrated PET-CT is the most sensitive and accurate modality for tumor distant metastasis staging. Integrating PET with CT may tend to improve the sensitivity than PET alone and CT alone.

Polymorphisms in the human ALOX12 and ALOX15 genes are associated with peak bone mineral density in Chinese nuclear families

SUMMARY

Association between ten single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human ALOX12 and ALOX15 genes and variations in peak bone mineral density (BMD) in a large sample of Chinese nuclear families with female offspring using the quantitative transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT). Our results suggest that the genetic polymorphisms in both human ALOX12 and ALOX15 may contribute to variations in the peak BMD of Chinese women.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate whether polymorphisms in the human ALOX12 and ALOX15 genes are associated with variations in peak BMD in Chinese nuclear families with female offspring.

METHODS

Each five SNPs in the ALOX12 and ALOX15 genes were genotyped in a total of 1,260 individuals from 401 Chinese nuclear families. The BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We tested whether a single SNP or a haplotype was associated with peak BMD variations using the QTDT.

RESULTS

Using QTDT to measure within-family associations in ALOX15, we observed a significant association between rs916055 and BMD in the lumbar spine (p = 0.027 in the permutation 1,000 test). However, in ALOX12, rs312470 was significantly associated with BMD in the femoral neck (p = 0.029 and p = 0.036 in the permutation 1,000 test). The results of a haplotype analysis supported the findings of the single locus test for ALOX15.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the genetic polymorphisms in both human ALOX12 and ALOX15 may contribute to variations in the peak BMD of Chinese women.

Treatment satisfaction and persistence among postmenopausal women on osteoporosis medications: 12-month results from POSSIBLE US™

SUMMARY

Women in POSSIBLE US™ who expressed greater treatment satisfaction at study entry were more likely to persist with osteoporosis therapy over a 1-year period. Lower satisfaction among women with moderate/severe side effects increased the risk of discontinuation/switching by 67%. Treatment satisfaction and side effect experience influence osteoporosis medication adherence.

INTRODUCTION

Non-adherence is common among women using postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) medications. We describe the association between treatment satisfaction, measured with the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), and the risk of discontinuation/switching PMO medications using patient-reported data from a large, longitudinal cohort study.

METHODS

Data from 2,405 participants in the Prospective Observational Scientific Study Investigating Bone Loss Experience (POSSIBLE US™) Study were evaluated. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for the association between treatment satisfaction at study entry and self-reported discontinuation/switching of pharmacologic PMO medications over a 1-year follow-up period. Logistic regression was used to evaluate relationships between treatment satisfaction, lifestyle behaviors, and compliance with bisphosphonate dosing instructions.

RESULTS

Median TSQM scores were highest (indicating greatest satisfaction) for the side effects domain [n = 1,182; median = 87.5 (Q1 = 75.0, Q3 = 100.0)] and lowest for global satisfaction [n = 2,340; median = 64.0 (Q1 = 55.7, Q3 = 77.7)]. Median scores decreased for the side effects and global satisfaction domains as patient-reported side effect severity increased. Women with higher satisfaction were less likely to discontinue/switch medications than women with lower scores (adjusted HRs for convenience 0.73, 95% CI = 0.63-0.85; effectiveness 0.82, 95% CI = 0.70-0.97; and global satisfaction 0.73, 95% CI = 0.63-0.85). Lower treatment satisfaction was particularly influential among women who reported moderate/severe side effects (HR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.37-0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower treatment satisfaction was associated with a 22% (1/0.82) to 67% (1/0.60) increased risk of discontinuation/switching osteoporosis medication during 1 year of follow-up.

Alleviation of Ferric Chloride-Induced Seizures and Retarded Behaviour in Epileptic Rats by Cortical Electrical Stimulation Treatment

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of low-frequency cortical electrical stimulation (CES) on seizures and behaviour in a rat model of epilepsy induced by ferric chloride (FeCl3). METHODS: Rats were randomly assigned into four groups ( n = 8 per group): normal healthy rats; saline-treated control rats; FeCl3-induced epileptic rats; CES-treated FeCl3-induced epileptic rats. Behavioural tests, analysis of the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein in brain tissue, and ultrastructural studies using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were undertaken. RESULTS: CES significantly decreased the number and grade of seizures, and improved rat behaviour, compared with untreated epileptic rats. CES reduced levels of BDNF protein in the forebrain and increased levels of BDNF protein in the hippocampus compared with untreated epileptic rats. TEM showed less damage and ultrastructural changes in the neurons of CES-treated epileptic rats. CONCLUSIONS: CES inhibited seizures in FeCl3-induced epileptic rats and improved their behaviour. These effects might be mediated by altering BDNF protein levels in the brain.

Implication of dysregulation of the canonical wingless-type MMTV integration site (WNT) pathway in diabetic nephropathy

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The wingless-type MMTV integration site (WNT) pathway mediates multiple physiological and pathological processes, such as inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether canonical WNT signalling plays a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.

METHODS

Expression of WNT ligands and frizzled receptors in the canonical WNT pathway in the kidney was compared at the mRNA level using real-time RT-PCR between Akita mice, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and db/db mice and their respective non-diabetic controls. Renal function was evaluated by measuring the urine albumin excretion. Human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells were treated with high-glucose medium and 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). Levels of β-catenin, connective tissue growth factor and fibronectin were determined by western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Some of the WNT ligands and frizzled receptors showed increased mRNA levels in the kidneys of Akita mice, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and db/db mice compared with their non-diabetic controls. Renal levels of β-catenin and WNT proteins were upregulated in these diabetic models. Lowering the blood glucose levels by insulin attenuated the activation of WNT signalling in the kidneys of Akita mice. In cultured human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, both high glucose and HNE activated WNT signalling. Inhibition of WNT signalling with a monoclonal antibody blocking LDL-receptor-related protein 6 ameliorated renal inflammation and fibrosis and reduced proteinuria in Akita mice.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The WNT pathway is activated in the kidneys of models of both type 1 and 2 diabetes. Dysregulation of the WNT pathway in diabetes represents a new pathogenic mechanism of diabetic nephropathy and renders a new therapeutic target.

P3-16-08: A Phase 2, Randomized Open-Label Study of Iniparib, Administered Either Weekly or Twice-Weekly in Combination with Gemcitabine Plus Carboplatin in Patients with mTNBC

Background

Iniparib (BSI-201) is an investigational anticancer agent whose precise mechanism of action is under active investigation. In breast cancer cell lines and xenograft models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), iniparib exhibits anti-proliferative activity and potentiates the cell cycle effects of some DNA damaging agents. In a randomized, open-label phase 2 study in pts with metastatic TNBC (mTNBC), iniparib combined with gemcitabine (G) and carboplatin (C) (GC) improved efficacy outcomes compared with GC alone. A confirmatory phase 3 study with GCI failed to meet pre-specified criteria for PFS and OS; however, an exploratory subset analysis demonstrated a potential benefit amongst 2nd/3rd line pts (O'Shaughnessy et al. ASCO 2011). Here we report results of a randomized phase 2 study (NCT01045304) in pts with mTNBC, which assesses efficacy and pharmacokinetics (PK) of iniparib administered either biw or qw in combination with GC.

Patients and methods: Eligible pts (N=163; median age 49 yrs) had documented and measurable TNBC, ECOG PS 0–1, normal organ/marrow function, and had received ≤2 prior chemotherapy (CT) regimens for metastatic disease. Pts were randomized (1:1) to receive G (1,000 mg/m2, IV, d 1, 8) plus C (AUC 2, IV, d 1, 8) and iniparib either biw (5.6 mg/kg, IV d 1,4,8,11) or qw (11.2 mg/kg, IV d 1,8) on a 21 d cycle. Pts were stratified according to prior CT for mTNBC (0 vs. 1–2). The primary efficacy endpoint was overall response rate (ORR; CR + PR); secondary endpoints included: clinical benefit rate (CBR; CR + PR + SD for 24 weeks), PFS, OS and PK.

Results: At the time of analysis, 23% of patients were still on treatment. The median number of cycles administered per patient was 6 in both arms; exposure to iniparib was identical. Safety data are not fully validated. All pts experienced at least 1 treatment emergent adverse event (TEAE). Grade (Gr) ≥3 TEAEs occurred in 94% and 85% of pts in the biw and qw arms, respectively. TEAEs Gr ≥3 occurring in ≥5% of pts regardless of relationship to study drug (biw vs qw) are as follows: blood and lymphatic 71% vs 67%; hepatobiliary 7.5% vs 9.8%; asthenia/fatigue 7.5% vs 11%; GI 8.8% vs 8.5%; infections 7.5% vs 3.7%; respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal 5% vs 8.5%, metabolism and nutrition 4% vs 6%. For response data see table.

Granzyme K inhibits replication of influenza virus through cleaving the nuclear transport complex importin α1/β dimer of infected host cells

The influenza A virus is a causative agent of influenza, which infects human cells and uses host factors to accomplish viral genome replication as part of its life cycle. The nucleoprotein (NP) and PB2 of the influenza virus associate with importin α1 to gain access to the host nucleus through a ternary import complex. Killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity is the primary mechanism of eliminating the influenza virus. Here, we showed that lymphokine-activated killer cells participated in the elimination of the influenza virus. Granzyme (Gzm) K inhibition elevated viral replication in vitro and aggravated viral infection in vivo. We identified that importin α1 and its transport partner protein importin β are physiological substrates of GzmK. Proteolysis of these two substrates wrecked their association to generate the importin α1/β dimer and disrupted transportation of viral NP to the nucleus, leading to inhibition of influenza virus replication.

ERK1/2 signaling pathway in mast cell activation-induced sensitization of esophageal nodose C-fiber neurons

Sensitization of esophageal nociceptive afferents by inflammatory mediators plays an important role in esophageal inflammatory nociception. Our previous studies demonstrated that esophageal mast cell activation increases the excitability of esophageal nodose C-fibers. But the intracellular mechanism of this sensitization process is still less clear. We hypothesize that extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway plays an important role in mast cell activation-induced sensitization of esophageal nodose C-fiber neurons. Mast cell activation and in vivo esophageal distension-induced phosphorylations of ERK1/2 were studied by immuno-staining and Western blot in esophageal nodose neurons. Extracellular recordings were performed from nodose neurons using ex vivo esophageal-vagal preparations with intact nerve endings in the esophagus. Nerve excitabilities were compared by action potentials evoked by esophageal distensions before and after mast cell activations with/without pretreatment of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)/ERK kinase inhibitor U0126. The expressions of phospho-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in the same nodose ganglia were then studied by Western blot. Mast cell activation enhances in vivo esophageal distension-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in nodose neurons. This can be prevented by pretreatment with mast cell stabilizer cromolyn. In ex vivo esophageal-vagal preparations, both mast cell activation and proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2)-activating peptide perfusion increases esophageal distension-induced mechano-excitability of esophageal nodose C-fibers and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in nodose neurons. Pretreatment with MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor U0126 prevents these potentiation effects. Collectively, our data demonstrated that mast cell activation enhances esophageal distension-induced mechano-excitability and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in esophageal nodose C-fiber neurons. This reveals a new intracellular pathway of esophageal peripheral sensitization and inflammatory nociception.

The role of lipid peroxidation products and oxidative stress in activation of the canonical wingless-type MMTV integration site (WNT) pathway in a rat model of diabetic retinopathy

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Our recent studies suggest that activation of the wingless-type MMTV integration site (WNT) pathway plays pathogenic roles in diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Here we investigated the causative role of oxidative stress in retinal WNT pathway activation in an experimental model of diabetes.

METHODS

Cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells and retinal capillary endothelial cells were treated with a lipid peroxidation product, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), and an antioxidant, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). In vivo, rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were treated by NAC for 8 weeks. Activation of the canonical WNT pathway was measured by TOPFLASH assay and by western blot analysis of WNT pathway components and a WNT target gene, Ctgf. Oxidative stress in the retina was evaluated by immunostaining of HNE and 3-nitrotyrosine.

RESULTS

Levels of phosphorylated and total LDL receptor-related protein (LRP)6, and cytosolic β-catenin, as well as transcriptional activity of T cell factor (TCF)/β-catenin were significantly increased by HNE. The production of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was also upregulated by HNE. NAC blocked the WNT pathway activation induced by HNE. Furthermore, LRP6 stability was increased by HNE and decreased by NAC. Retinal levels of HNE and 3-nitrotyrosine were significantly increased in diabetic rats, compared with those in non-diabetic rats. In the same diabetic rat retinas, levels of LRP6, cytosolic β-catenin and CTGF were significantly increased. NAC treatment reduced HNE and 3-nitrotyrosine levels and attenuated the upregulation of LRP6, β-catenin and CTGF in diabetic rat retina.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Lipid peroxidation products activate the canonical WNT pathway through oxidative stress, which plays an important role in the development of retinal diseases.

Investigating the spatial-temporal variation of nitrogen cycling in an urban river in the North China Plain

Urban rivers are essential in retaining nutrients, but little is known about nitrogen cycling in these rivers in semiarid areas. We measured chemical and isotopic compositions of ammonium (NH4(+)-N) and nitrate (NO3(-)-N) to investigate spatial-temporal variation of nitrogen cycling in the Fuhe River in the North China Plain. Nitrogen pollution in the river was mainly induced by extra NH4(+)-N inputs which come from the discharges of urban sewage and effluents of wastewater treatment plants in upstream. NH4(+)-N obtained from decomposing organic matter of sediments can diffuse into the overlying water. Intense nitrification then occurs at the terrestrial-aquatic interface. Due to less vegetation in spring and autumn, loss of NH4(+)-N is mainly caused by nitrification. In contrast, significant NH4(+)-N is absorbed by plants in summer. NO3(-)-N generated from nitrification can be denitrified during the study period. The highest NO3(-)-N loss (about 86.3%) was observed in summer. The contribution of NO3(-)-N loss due to denitrification is 44.6%. The remaining 55.4% is due to plant uptake. The results suggested that nitrogen cycling in the river is related to temperature and dry-wet cycles. And vegetation restoration along the river could benefit the incremental improvements to the aquatic ecosystem.

Regression to normoglycaemia by fenofibrate in pre-diabetic subjects complicated with hypertriglyceridaemia: a prospective randomized controlled trial

AIMS

Lipotoxicity has recently been shown to be an important risk factor underlying the pathogenesis of pre-diabetes. However, clinical evidence supporting the treatment of pre-diabetes by improving lipotoxicity is lacking. Here, we conducted an open-label, randomized, controlled trial to investigate whether fenofibrate, the widely used hypolipidaemic agent, might benefit pre-diabetes, with metformin and diet control, the recommended intervention methods, as positive controls.

METHODS

Newly diagnosed pre-diabetes patients (n = 120) with hypertriglyceridaemia (plasma triglyceride levels between 1.8 and 4.5 mmol/l) were randomly assigned by computer-generated randomization sequence to either control group (no intervention), fenofibrate group (200 mg once a day), metformin group (500 mg three times a day) or diet-controlled group (diet recommendation). Plasma biochemistry examination was performed every 2 months. The primary endpoint was the outcome of the natural course of pre-diabetes, evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test after 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Twenty subjects in the fenofibrate group, 24 subjects in the metformin group and 25 subjects in both the diet-controlled group and the control group finished the trial. Fenofibrate, metformin and diet control had protective effects on hypertriglyceridaemic pre-diabetes, evidenced by 53.3, 70 and 30% participants regressed to normoglycaemia, respectively. The effects of fenofibrate and metformin were comparable (P > 0.05), while diet control was less effective (P < 0.05). Liver damage occurred in six subjects in the fenofibrate group and gastrointestinal symptoms occurred in four subjects in the metformin group. No serious adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSION

Controlling lipotoxicity by fenofibrate could effectively ameliorate the natural course of hypertriglyceridaemic pre-diabetes.

ALOX12 polymorphisms are associated with fat mass but not peak bone mineral density in Chinese nuclear families

OBJECTIVE

Arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase (ALOX12) is a member of the lipoxygenase superfamily, which catalyzes the incorporation of molecular oxygen into polyunsaturated fatty acids. The products of ALOX12 reactions serve as endogenous ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARG). The activation of the PPARG pathway in marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitors stimulates adipogenesis and inhibits osteoblastogenesis. Our objective was to determine whether polymorphisms in the ALOX12 gene were associated with variations in peak bone mineral density (BMD) and obesity phenotypes in young Chinese men.

METHODS

All six tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ALOX12 gene were genotyped in a total of 1215 subjects from 400 Chinese nuclear families by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. The BMD at the lumbar spine and hip, total fat mass (TFM) and total lean mass (TLM) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The pairwise linkage disequilibrium among SNPs was measured, and the haplotype blocks were inferred. Both the individual SNP markers and the haplotypes were tested for an association with the peak BMD, body mass index, TFM, TLM and percentage fat mass (PFM) using the quantitative transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT).

RESULTS

Using the QTDT, significant within-family association was found between the rs2073438 polymorphism in the ALOX12 gene and the TFM and PFM (P=0.007 and 0.012, respectively). Haplotype analyses were combined with our individual SNP results and remained significant even after correction for multiple testing. However, we failed to find significant within-family associations between ALOX12 SNPs and the BMD at any bone site in young Chinese men.

CONCLUSIONS

Our present results suggest that the rs2073438 polymorphism of ALOX12 contributes to the variation of obesity phenotypes in young Chinese men, although we failed to replicate the association with the peak BMD variation in this sample. Further independent studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Kinetic analysis of oxytetracycline residues in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, muscle following intramuscular administration

Crab culture is a very important economic industry in China. An epidemic of tremor disease of Chinese mitten crabs, Eriocheir sinensis, has become a serious problem in recent years. A spiroplasm has been proved to be the causative agent of this disease. Oxytetracycline (OTC) is used widely in aquaculture and was confirmed to be very effective against this pathogen. In this study, the distribution and depletion patterns of OTC in crab muscle were evaluated following single intramuscular doses of 2, 8 and 40 mg kg(-1) body weight. OTC was detected with a validated HPLC method. Concentration-time profiles were well described by a three-compartment model with first-order absorption after a single dose of 8 and 40 mg kg(-1). For comparison, a non-compartment model was employed. A withdrawal time of 48.29 and 55.92 days was suggested prior to consumption after receiving 8 and 40 mg kg(-1). A recommended therapeutic dose of OTC in theory was calculated to be 36.37 mg kg(-1). OTC was distributed well throughout the body. The elimination of OTC in muscle was slower compared with fish and other crustaceans. A dose of 40 mg kg(-1) is suggested for practical use.