Unusual interlayer quantum transport behavior caused by the zeroth Landau level in YbMnBi2

Relativistic fermions in topological quantum materials are characterized by linear energy-momentum dispersion near band crossing points. Under magnetic fields, relativistic fermions acquire Berry phase of π in cyclotron motion, leading to a zeroth Landau level (LL) at the crossing point, a signature unique to relativistic fermions. Here we report the unusual interlayer quantum transport behavior resulting from the zeroth LL mode observed in the time reversal symmetry breaking type II Weyl semimetal YbMnBi2. The interlayer magnetoresistivity and Hall conductivity of this material are found to exhibit surprising angular dependences under high fields, which can be well fitted by a model, which considers the interlayer quantum tunneling transport of the zeroth LL's Weyl fermions. Our results shed light on the unusual role of zeroth LLl mode in transport.The transport behavior of the carriers residing in the lowest Landau level is hard to observe in most topological materials. Here, Liu et al. report a surprising angular dependence of the interlayer magnetoresistivity and Hall conductivity arising from the lowest Landau level under high magnetic field in type II Weyl semimetal YbMnBi2.

[Analysis of infection and drug-resistance in 6 107 cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Chengdu area]

Objective: To analyze the infection and drug resistance of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, in order to provide useful references for prevention and treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Methods: A total of 6 107 suspected cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, including lymph node, pleural, peritoneal, meningeal, urinary tract, and bone tuberculosis, were collected retrospectively from January 2013 to December 2015 in Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu. There were 4 033 male and 2 074 female patients, and the average age was 37 years.The epidemiological data, infection and drug resistance were analyzed statistically. Results: There were 21 036 cases of mycobacterial culture from January 2013 to December 2015, of which 7 119 were positive(33.8%). Extrapulmonary tuberculosis was found in 6 107 cases, of which 896 were positive, accounting for 12.6% of the positive cases(896/7 119). Culture-positive cases of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis showed a rising trend from 2013 to 2015 (n=174, 310, 421, respectively), and the annual average increasing rate was over 50%.Cases were distributed at younger ages (21-40 years), with an average age of 34 years.There were more male patients, with a male to female ratio of 2.1∶1. The most common site of extrapulmonary tuberculosis was the bone(62/243, 25.5%), followed by lymph node(283/1 297, 21.8%), pleural(289/1 840, 15.7%), urinary tract(63/452, 13.9%), peritoneum(41/303, 13.5%), meningeal(156/1 915, 8.1%)and other types of tuberculosis(2/57, 3.5%). Drug sensitivity test of 896 extrapulmonary tuberculosis strains showed that the resistance rate (from high to low) was in the order of isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, amikacin, capreomycin and ethambutol. Multidrug-resistant(MDR)and extremely-drug resistant (XDR) rate was 9.7 %(87/896)and 2.0%(17/896)respectively. Conclusions: Cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis sent for bacterial culture and the positive rate showed a rising trend by years in Chengdu area.The drug resistance level was higher than that reported both in China and abroad.The prevention and treatment of extrapulmonary tuberculosis should be strengthened in this area.

[DNA damage associated genetic variants contribute to lung cancer susceptibility in a Han Chinese population]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between DNA damage-related genetic variants and lung cancer susceptibility in a Han Chinese population.

METHODS

This case-control study enrolled patients from the Cancer Hospital of Jiangsu Province and Jiangsu Province Hospital from 2003 to 2009. Controls were randomly selected from individuals who visited the same hospital or a community-based health examination program during the same time period. A 5 ml venous blood sample was obtained from each participant and epidemiological information was collected on a standard questionnaire. Illumina Infinium(®) BeadChip was used for genotyping of 35 DNA damage-related single nucleotide variations (SNVs), which were identified in our previous study. Multivariate and binary logistic regressions were used to calculate the OR and 95%CI for lung cancer risk. HaploReg V4.1 and Regulome DB were used to understand functional annotation on important SNV.

RESULTS

The distributions of age (61.06±10.15) vs. (61.32±11.07) years; t=-0.72, P=0.473) and sex (χ(2)=1.81, P=0.179) were similar between cases and controls. However, the case group had a higher frequency of smokers (61.08% vs. 48.54%; χ(2)=50.04, P<0.001) and heavy smokers (42.28% vs. 24.07%; χ(2)=122.32, P<0.001). Among the 34 SNVs that passed quality control, two SNVs were significantly associated with lung cancer risk after adjustments for age, sex and cumulative smoking dose: rs9267576 C>A (CA genotype/CC genotype, OR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.01-2.40) and rs3130683 A>G (AG genotype/AA genotype, OR=1.87, 95%CI: 1.13-3.09). After step-wise logistic regression analysis, only the rs3130683 SNV was retained in the model, indicating that the association between rs9267576 and lung cancer may be due to the effect of rs3130683. Functional annotation indicated that rs3130683 was located in the promoter and enhancer regions, and was an expression quantitative trait loci of HLA. The Cancer Genome Atlas indicated that expression of HLA-C, DQB1, DRB1 and DRB5 in lung cancer tissue was significantly lower than in paired normal tumor-adjacent tissue, with down-regulation of the four respective genes in 81.3%, 88.8%, 90.7% and 90.7% of lung cancer tissues (P-values were 6.68×10(-15), 2.21×10(-13), 2.20×10(-16), 2.58×10(-13), respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The SNV rs3130683 (A>G) was associated with the risk of lung cancer in a Han Chinese population. This SNV may affect the risk of lung cancer by regulating HLA expression.

Impact of gain-of-function mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) on glucose and lipid homeostasis

LRP5 loss-of-function mutations have been shown to cause profound osteoporosis and have been associated with impaired insulin sensitivity and dysregulated lipid metabolism. We hypothesized that gain-of-function mutations in LRP5 would also affect these parameters. We therefore studied individuals with LRP5 gain-of-function mutations exhibiting high bone mass (HBM) phenotypes and found that while there was no detected change in insulin sensitivity, there was a significant reduction in serum LDL.

INTRODUCTION

Wnt signaling through LRP5 represents a newly appreciated metabolic pathway, which potentially represents a target for drug discovery in type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Studies in animal models suggest a physiologic link between LRP5 and glucose and lipid homeostasis; however, whether it plays a similar role in humans is unclear. As current literature links loss-of-function LRP5 to impaired glucose and lipid metabolism, we hypothesized that individuals with an HBM-causing mutation in LRP5 would exhibit improved glucose and lipid homeostasis. Since studies in animal models have suggested that Wnt signaling augments insulin secretion, we also examined the effect of Wnt signaling on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion on human pancreatic islets.

METHODS

This was a matched case-control study. We used several methods to assess glucose and lipid metabolism in 11 individuals with HBM-causing mutations in LRP5. Affected study participants were recruited from previously identified kindreds with HBM-causing LRP5 mutations and included 9 males and 2 females. Two subjects that were being treated with insulin for type 2 diabetes were excluded from our analysis, as this would have obscured our ability to determine the impact of gain-of-function LRP5 mutations on glucose metabolism. The mean age of the evaluated study subjects was 55 ± 7 with a mean BMI of 27.2 ± 2.0. Control subjects were matched and recruited from the general community at an equivalent ratio, with 18 males and 4 females (mean age 56 ± 4; mean BMI 27.2 ± 1.0). Study testing was conducted at an academic medical center.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between affected and matched control populations for HbA1c (p = 0.06), eAG (p = 0.06), insulin (p = 0.82), HOMA-B (p = 0.34), or HOMA-IR (p = 0.66). The mean Insulin Sensitivity Index (ISI) was also similar between control and affected individuals. Total cholesterol (p = 0.43), triglycerides (TG) (p = 0.56), and HDL (p = 0.32) were not different between the same two groups. In a small subset of studied subjects, intramyocellular and hepatic lipid content were similar in the affected individuals and controls when quantified by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). However, the mean value for serum LDL was significantly lower (p = 0.04) in affected individuals. In primary human islets, there were no differences between control and Wnt treatment groups for insulin secretion measured as area under the curve (AUC) for first phase (p = 0.17) or second phase (p = 0.33) insulin secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Although our sample size was small, our data do not support the hypothesis that HBM-causing LRP5 mutations, associated with increased Wnt signaling, improve glucose metabolism in humans. However, it does appear that LRP5 variants may affect LDL metabolism, a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. The molecular mechanisms underpinning this effect warrant further study.

Effect of PM2.5 mediated oxidative stress on the innate immune cellular response of Der p1 treated human bronchial epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of stimulation of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (HBEC) by Der p1 and PM2.5 on the expression of innate immune cell factors to find new therapeutic targets for treatment of bronchial asthma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Der p1 antigen exposure model in the HEBC line, 16HBE-14o, was established in vitro. PM2.5 at a concentration of 50 µM/cm2, was added to these cells for 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h and 3 h. Cells were treated with the following reagents for the indicated times: 300 ng/mL Der p1 for 21 h, 50 µM/cm2 PM2.5 for 3 h, 10 mM Nac for 3 h and PM2.5 contamination for 3 h. The experiment was divided into five groups: control (group A), Der p1 exposure group (group B), PM2.5 treated group (group C), PM2.5+Der p1 exposure group (group D), Nac+PM2.5+Der p1 exposure group (group E). ELISA method was adopted to test the expression levels of malondialdehyde, IL-25, IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and Real-time RT-PCT was used to measure IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP mRNA.

RESULTS

The protein and mRNA levels of malondialdehyde, IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP in group D were significantly higher than those in the other groups, while the protein and mRNA levels of malondialdehyde, IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP in group E were significantly lower than those in group D (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PM2.5 can enhance the Der p1 antigen-induced HBEC innate immune response through the expression of IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP, which may exacerbate the occurrence rate of bronchial asthma.

Genetic variation and genetic structure of five Chinese indigenous pig populations in Jiangsu Province revealed by sequencing data

In this study, we investigated the genetic variants, including SNPs and indels (short insertions or deletions, less than 50 bp in length), in the genomes and genetic structures of five pig populations (in the northern Taihu Lake region, Jiangsu Province) using the genotyping by genome reducing and sequencing (GGRS) approach. A total of 581 million good reads with an average depth of 11× and an average coverage of 2.16% were used to call variants. In general, 202 106 SNPs and 34 415 indels were obtained, of which 2690 SNPs and 224 indels were capable of inducing protein‐coding changes. The genes containing these variants were extracted for functional annotation. The results of gene enrichment analysis revealed that the SNPs under investigation may be associated with reproduction, disease resistance, meat quality and adipose tissue traits, whereas the indels were associated mainly with adipose tissue and disease. Analysis of the genetic structure showed that each population displayed comparable, large differentiations from the others, indicating their uniqueness. In conclusion, the results of our study provide the first genomic overview of the genetic variants and population structures of five Chinese indigenous pig populations.

Immune complexes induce TNF-α and BAFF production from U937 cells by HMGB1 and RAGE

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of immune complexes (ICs) on tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and B cell-activating factor (BAFF) production from U937 cells and further explored the mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

U937 cells were incubated with necrosis supernatant or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sera alone, or their combination. The expression of TNF-α and BAFF was determined by Real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. High mobility group box protein 1(HMGB1) A-box was produced by gene recombination. HMGB1 A-box and anti-receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) antibody were adopted in the blocking experiments. The importance of DNA for cytokine induction was investigated by DNase treatment.

RESULTS

The combination of necrosis supernatant and SLE sera induced the expression of TNF-α and BAFF significantly increased compared to necrosis supernatant or SLE sera alone. Recombinant HMGB1 A-box protein was purified, and TNF-α and BAFF production, which were induced by this combination, was blocked via HMGB1 A-box and anti-RAGE antibody. Moreover, we found that DNA component is important for the immunostimulatory activity of this combination.

CONCLUSIONS

ICs containing DNA can promote TNF-α and BAFF production in U937 cells, and this process can be mediated by HMGB1 and RAGE. One possible mechanism of increasing BAFF production in SLE is proposed in this study whereby B cell activation, antibody production and ICs stimulated monocytes may create a vicious cycle that leads to B cell hyperactivity, which can be of importance for SLE etiopathogenesis.

[MRI analysis of the effect on mandibular retrusion with anterior disc displacement treated by using Herbst appliance]

Objective: To investgate the effect of Herbst appliance on the growth and remodeling of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in class Ⅱ patients with mandibular retrusion by using MRI. Methods: Between December 2010 and October 2014, 12 class Ⅱ patients (11-16 years old) with mandibular retrusion were chosen. The patients were divided into two groups. The control group included 7 patients (14 joints) with normal disc condyle relationship and the anterior disc displacement (ADD) group included 5 patients (10 joints) with anterior disc displacement. The MRI images of TMJ were measured, including condylar height, joint space index and disc position ratio, before and after the treatment. Results: The condylar height of the patients in the control group was significantly increased (P<0.001) after treatment, and no significant difference in joint space index (P=0.821) and disc position ratio (P=0.146) was found. The joint space index of the patients ([-14.70±8.82]% and [4.90±11.35]%) in ADD group changed significantly (P<0.001) after treatment, and no significant difference in condylar height (P=0.294) and disc position ratio (P=0.120) was found. Conclusions: The normal disc condyle relationship was beneficial to the reconstruction of the condylar process, and the increase of the condylar height. The condyle moved forward in patients with anterior disc displacement after treatment.

[The microbiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in different phenotype of peripheral blood eosinophils]

Objective:To investigate the association between immune status and microbial community in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in different phenotype of peripheral blood eosinophils (PBEOS).Method:Retrospective analysis of clinical data of 125 patients with CRSwNP and and 49 control subjects was performed. According to the proportion of peripheral blood eosinophils, the patients with CRSwNP were divided into PBEOS normal group and PBEOS elevated group. The samples of nasal secretions in middle meatus were collected, and then isolated and identified by microbial culture. Differences of microbial colonization rate between the groups were analyzed. SPSS 19.0 software was used to analyze the data.Result:There were 61 cases in PBEOS normal group (0<PBEOS≤ 5%), 64 cases in PBEOS elevated group (PBEOS> 5%) and 49 control subjects.In patient with CRSwNP, the positive rate of microbial culture was 84.4%, and the main microorganisms were Gram positive Aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria. The most common bacteria were coagulase negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) and Corynebacterium. The average positive rate of Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) was 10.4%, and S. epidermidis was 20.0%. The positive rate of S. aureus in the elevated group was higher than that in the normal group (17.2%, 3.3%), and the rate of S. epidermidis was lower (10.9%, 29.5%). The positive rate of S. epidermidis in the elevated group was also lower than that in control subjects (10.9%, 30.6%).Conclusion:In different PBEOS phenotypes, the colonization rate of S. aureus and S. epidermidis showed the opposite trend. In contrast to the normal goup, the colonization rate of S. aureus in the elevated group increased, and the rate of S. epidermidis decreased. At the same time, the colonization rate of S.epidermidis decreased in elevate group in contrast to the control subjests. This suggests that S. aureus may promote eosinophilic inflammatory response and S. epidermidis may promote noneosinophilic inflammatory response, which plays protective role.

Continuous blood purification treatment for endotoxin-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome

This study aimed to explore the effects of continuous blood purification (CBP) treatment in pigs affected with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A total of 12 healthy male pigs, weighing 12±1.8 kg, were randomly and equally assigned to the control and experimental groups. The ARDS pig model was prepared by intravenous injections of endotoxin (20 µg/kg). The control group was given conventional supportive therapy, while the experimental group was given continuous veno-venous hemofiltration therapy. During the treatment process, the variations in dynamic lung compliance, oxygenation index, hemodynamics, and urine volume per hour at different times (Baseline, 0, 2, 4, and 6 h) were recorded. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IL-10 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The histomorphological changes of the lung, heart, and kidney were visualized using a light microscope. The nuclear factor κB p65 protein content of the heart, lung, and kidney tissues was also detected using western blot. The experimental group outperformed the control group in both respiratory and hemodynamic events. CBP treatment cleared TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 partially from serum and BALF. The pathological examination of the heart, lung, and kidney tissues revealed that the injury was less severe in the experimental group. CBP treatment can improve the organ functions of pigs affected with endotoxin-induced ARDS and protect these organs to some extent.

Genetic diversity of the nucleocapsid protein gene of hippeastrum chlorotic ringspot virus from Hymenocallis littoralis in southern China

Hymenocallis littoralis growing in southern China has been recently extensively damaged by virus-like symptoms of necrosis, chlorosis, and ringspot. Of 44 plant samples collected from Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, and Fujian provinces in southern China, 32 were infected with hippeastrum chlorotic ringspot virus (HCRV). Phylogenetic analysis based on the N gene divided the virus samples into two branches suggesting a geographic distribution attributed to the initial stage of a founder effect. The N gene was under purifying selection pressure and most of the deleterious mutants had been removed. Both the population dynamics and genetic analyses suggested that populations of HCRV in southern China are spreading.

[Therapeutic effectiveness of the soft palate fold surgery in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome]

Objective: To evaluate the relationships between anatomical changes and treatment outcomes after modified velopharyngeal surgery in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients with the soft palate drooping. Methods: From November 2011 to November 2015, 44 OSHS patients (AHI 5-30 times/h) with the soft palate drooping determined by Muller test and drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) were randomly selected. Treatment group included 23 patients who underwent modified velopharyngeal surgery, in which uvula was preserved and soft palate was shortened and advanced. Control group included 21 patients who received conventional UPPP surgery.Compared the differences in preoperative and postoperative Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), lowest arterial blood oxygen saturation (LSaO(2)), and apnea hypoventilation index (AHI) between the two groups. Each data rows normality test. The two groups' preoperative and postoperative data row intra-group comparison and matching t test. Used the independent sample t test after homogeneity of variance test to compare the two groups. The difference was statistically significant when P<0.05. Results: There were statistically significant differences in AHI , LSaO(2) and ESS score between before and after surgery in individual groups. There were not significant differences in preoperative AHI and LSaO(2) between the two groups, but with a higher ESS in treatment group compared to control group. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative AHI, LSaO(2) or ESS between the two groups. Compared with control group, treatment group had a lower postoperative pain scale score (4.3±1.3 vs 6.3±0.8, P=0.000) and a shorter time to resume normal eating ((6.7±1.6) d vs (15.5±3.5) d, P=0.000). Conclusion: OSAHS patients (AHI 5-30 times/h) with the soft palate drooping are more likely to have favorable anatomical changes after revised velopharyngeal surgery.

Annealing Stability Study of Co20Fe60B20\MgO\ Co20Fe60B20 Perpendicular Magnetic Tunnel Junctions

A full Co20Fe60B20\MgO\ Co20Fe60B20 perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (pMTJ) with (Co\Pt) multilayers as pinning layers and different functional multilayers stacks were made and annealed at different temperatures. The tunneling magnetoresistance ratio (TMR) and MgO barrier resistance-area product (RA) were measured and analyzed as a function of annealing temperature. The TMR of pMTJs dramatically declines with increasing annealing temperatures from 320 °C to 400 °C while the RA increases with temperature from 375 °C to 450 °C. The pMTJs and partial stacks were also measured in a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). We found that the (Co\Pt) multilayers are very stable and maintain a magnetization direction perpendicular to the film plane up to 450 °C. However, the magnetization direction of the CoFeB above and below the MgO barrier rotates from perpendicular to in-plane with increasing annealing temperature. Furthermore, the CoFeB layer influences the adjacent (Co\Pt) layers to rotate at the same time. The pMTJs' elemental depth profiles in the as deposited and annealed states were determined by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). We found that Boron and Tantalum migrate towards the top of the stack. The other elements (Platinum, Cobalt, Ruthenium, and Magnesium) are very stable and do not interdiffuse during annealing up to 450°C.

Point-defect-induced colossal dielectric behavior in GaAs single crystals

We herein reported colossal dielectric constant (CDC) behavior in GaAs single crystals.

Identification of novel variants associated with warfarin stable dosage by use of a two-stage extreme phenotype strategy

Essentials Required warfarin doses for mechanical heart valves vary greatly. A two-stage extreme phenotype design was used to identify novel warfarin dose associated mutation. We identified a group of variants significantly associated with extreme warfarin dose. Four novel identified mutations account for 2.2% of warfarin dose discrepancies.

SUMMARY

Background The variation among patients in warfarin response complicates the management of warfarin therapy, and an improper therapeutic dose usually results in serious adverse events. Objective To use a two-stage extreme phenotype strategy in order to discover novel warfarin dose-associated mutations in heart valve replacement patients. Patients/method A total of 1617 stable-dose patients were enrolled and divided randomly into two cohorts. Stage I patients were genotyped into three groups on the basis of VKORC1-1639G>A and CYP2C9*3 polymorphisms; only patients with the therapeutic dose at the upper or lower 5% of each genotype group were selected as extreme-dose patients for resequencing of the targeted regions. Evaluation of the accuracy of the sequence data and the potential value of the stage I-identified significant mutations were conducted in a validation cohort of 420 subjects. Results A group of mutations were found to be significantly associated with the extreme warfarin dose. The validation work finally identified four novel mutations, i.e. DNMT3A rs2304429 (24.74%), CYP1A1 rs3826041 (47.35%), STX1B rs72800847 (7.01%), and NQO1 rs10517 (36.11%), which independently and significantly contributed to the overall variability in the warfarin dose. After addition of these four mutations, the estimated regression equation was able to account for 56.2% (R2Adj = 0.562) of the overall variability in the warfarin maintenance dose, with a predictive accuracy of 62.4%. Conclusion Our study provides evidence linking genetic variations in STX1B, DNMT3A and CYP1A1 to warfarin maintenance dose. The newly identified mutations together account for 2.2% of warfarin dose discrepancy.

In situ Biofilm Formation by Multi-species Oral Bacteria Under Flowing and Anaerobic Conditions

An understanding of biofilm behavior of periodontopathic bacteria is key to the development of effective oral therapies. We hypothesized that interspecies bacterial aggregates play an important role in anaerobic biofilm establishment and proliferation, and contribute to the survivability of the biofilm against therapeutic agents. The system developed in this study assessed a multi-species ( Streptococcus gordonii, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Fusobacterium nucleatum) biofilm formation under anaerobic and flowing conditions with the use of an in situ image analysis system. The biofilm was comprised of a base film of non-aggregated cells and complex interspecies aggregates that formed in the planktonic phase which rapidly colonized the surface, reaching 58 ± 9% and 65 ± 11.8% coverage by 5 and 24 hrs, respectively. Upon SDS (0.1%) treatment of a 24-hour biofilm, substantial detachment (55 ± 14%, P < 0.05) of the aggregates was observed, while the base film bacteria remained attached but non-viable. Rapid re-establishment of the biofilm occurred via attachment of viable planktonic aggregates.

Genome-wide genetic variation discovery in Chinese Taihu pig breeds using next generation sequencing

The Chinese Taihu pig breeds are an invaluable component of the world's pig genetic resources, and they are the most prolific breeds of swine in the world. In this study, the genomes of 252 pigs of the six indigenous breeds in the Taihu Lake region were sequenced using the genotyping by genome reducing and sequencing approach. A total of 950 million good reads were obtained using an Illumina Hiseq2000 at an average depth of 13× (for SNP calling) and an average coverage of 2.3%. In total, 122 632 indels, 31 444 insertions, 44 056 deletions and 455 CNVs (copy number variants) were identified in the genomes of the pigs. Approximately 2.3% of these genetic markers were mapped to gene exon regions, and 25% were in QTL regions related to economically important traits. The KEGG pathway or GO enrichment analyses revealed that genetic variants assumed to be large‐effect mutations were significantly overrepresented in 22 SNP, 56 indel, 26 insertion, 28 deletion and three CNV gene sets. A total of 343 breed‐specific SNPs were also identified in the six Chinese indigenous pigs. The findings from this study can contribute to future investigations of the genetic diversity, population structure, positive selection signals and molecular evolutionary history of these pigs at the genome level and can serve as a valuable reference for improving the breeding and cultivation of these pigs.

Polarity in Cell-Fate Acquisition in the Early Mouse Embryo

Establishing polarity is a fundamental part of embryogenesis and can be traced back to the earliest developmental stages. It can be achieved in one of two ways: through the preexisting polarization of germ cells before fertilization or via symmetry breaking after fertilization. In mammals, it seems to be the latter, and we will discuss the various cytological and molecular events that lead up to this event, its mechanisms and the consequences. In mammals, the first polarization event occurs in the preimplantation period, when the embryo is but a cluster of cells, free-floating in the oviduct. This provides a unique, autonomous system to study the de novo polarization that is essential to life. In this review, we will cover modern and past studies on the polarization of the early embryo, using the mouse as a model system, as well as hypothesizing the potential implications and functions of the biological events involved.

Day surgery is effective and safe for patients with great saphenous vein varices who meet American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II grading

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Since the concept of "Day Surgery"; (DS) was firstly put forward in 1995, DS for great saphenous vein varices (GSVV) becomes more and more dominant in worldwide, but it is accepted only in a limited population in China. Hence in the present retrospective study, patients who received DS and regular surgery are compared to assess the effectiveness and safety of DS for GSVV.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 2011 to 2013, 452 patients who received DS and 372 patients who received inpatient surgery (IS) were collected from hospital main clinical database. Baseline characteristics, prognosis, and 12-month-long follow-up were compared.

RESULTS

Mean age in DS group was 52.76 ± 4.89, 53.42 ± 5.52 in IS group. During follow-up after surgery, incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), saphenous nerve injury (SNI), wound infection, and recurrence in DS and IS groups was 0.9% versus 0.8%; 2% versus 3%; 3.3% versus 3.8%; and 1.3% versus 1.1%, respectively. Moreover, there was no significant difference in incidence of DVT, SNI, wound infection, and recurrence between groups (P = 0.904; 0.376; 0.719; and 0.742). However, average hospital stays in DS group was 1 day, compared to 4.2 days in IS group. Moreover with respect to average medical cost (dollar), it was 780.33 dollars and 1021.06 dollars in DS and IS group, respectively.

CONCLUSION

DS for GSVV is an effective and safe procedure, which was the same as IS. However compared with IS, DS could decrease the average medical cost for patients and hospital stays obviously. Hence DS for GSVV is a win-win procedure for patient and health care.

Colossal Magnetoresistance in a Mott Insulator via Magnetic Field-Driven Insulator-Metal Transition

We present a new type of colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) arising from an anomalous collapse of the Mott insulating state via a modest magnetic field in a bilayer ruthenate, Ti-doped Ca_{3}Ru_{2}O_{7}. Such an insulator-metal transition is accompanied by changes in both lattice and magnetic structures. Our findings have important implications because a magnetic field usually stabilizes the insulating ground state in a Mott-Hubbard system, thus calling for a deeper theoretical study to reexamine the magnetic field tuning of Mott systems with magnetic and electronic instabilities and spin-lattice-charge coupling. This study further provides a model approach to search for CMR systems other than manganites, such as Mott insulators in the vicinity of the boundary between competing phases.

Pretreated baseline neutrophil count and chemotherapy-induced neutropenia may be conveniently available as prognostic biomarkers in advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence suggests that neutrophils play a critical role in tumorigenesis, tumour cell proliferation and metastasis. The prognostic significance of such inflammation-associated markers has been explored in different cancers.

AIM

To evaluate the prognostic effect of baseline neutrophil counts and nadir neutrophils on advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients who were treated with two different chemotherapy regimens in our institution.

METHODS

Data were collected retrospectively for 260 AGC patients treated between 1 February 2009 and 31 December 2011. The prognostic effect of baseline neutrophil counts and nadir neutrophils on AGC patients was evaluated.

RESULTS

Approximately 79% of the patients experienced neutropenia during chemotherapy. The median survival was 369 days for patients with neutrophil counts ≤7.5 × 10(9) /L and 326 days for patients with neutrophil counts >7.5 × 10(9) /L (P < 0.001).The median survival was 340 days for patients with no neutropenia (grade 0), 422 days for patients with mild neutropenia (grade 1-2) and 339 days for patients with severe neutropenia (grade 3-4) (P < 0.001).The adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for mild and severe neutropenia compared with absent neutropenia were 0.572 (P = 0.002) and 1.246 (P = 0.219) respectively. Furthermore, it was suggested that pretreatment baseline neutrophil counts ≤7.5 × 10(9) /L may be an independent predictor (HR = 0.683; P = 0.005). We also observed that other factors were independently associated with worse survival, such as higher performance status, stage IV and the presence of ascites.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that baseline neutrophil count and chemotherapy-induced neutropenia can be conveniently available as clinical biomarkers in AGC. Mild myelosuppression in patients with AGC most likely leads to better overall survival, whereas a high baseline neutrophil count may be associated with a worse prognosis.

Ca2+-Dependent Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Regulates Mechanical Stress-Mediated Cartilage Thinning

Our previous study identified that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) plays a critical role in chondrocyte apoptosis and mandibular cartilage thinning in response to compressive mechanical force, although the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Because the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a primary site of intracellular Ca(2+) storage, we hypothesized that Ca(2+)-dependent ERS might be involved in mechanical stress-mediated mandibular cartilage thinning. In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models to determine Ca(2+) concentrations, histological changes, subcellular changes, apoptosis, and the expression of ERS markers in mandibular cartilage and chondrocytes. The results showed that in chondrocytes, cytosolic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) was dramatically increased by compressive mechanical force. Interestingly, the inhibition of Ca(2+) channels by ryanodine and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, inhibitors of ryanodine receptors and inositol trisphosphate receptors, respectively, partially rescued mechanical force-mediated mandibular cartilage thinning. Furthermore, chondrocyte apoptosis was also compromised by inhibiting the increase in [Ca(2+)]i that occurred in response to compressive mechanical force. Mechanistically, the ERS induced by compressive mechanical force was also repressed by [Ca(2+)]i inhibition, as demonstrated by a decrease in the expression of the ER stress markers 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and 94 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP94) at both the mRNA and protein levels. Collectively, these data identified [Ca(2+)]i as a critical mediator of the pathological changes that occur in mandibular cartilage under compressive mechanical force and shed light on the treatment of mechanical stress-mediated cartilage degradation.