[Study on relationship between outdoor activities and self-reported myopia among middle school students]

Objective: To examine the relationship between the prevalence of self-reported myopia and outdoor activities among middle school students and to explore the influence factors of the self-reported myopia. Methods: A total of 12 979 participants were recruited from junior and senior middle school students in in Shenzhen, Nanchang, Zhengzhou and Shenyang by random cluster sampling method between December 2015 and March 2016. All participants completed an anonymous questionnaire to collect the information of demographic characteristics, self-reported myopia, outdoor activities, etc. 12 603 out of 12 979 copies of questionnaire were valid. The prevalence of self-reported myopia was compared among middle school students with different characteristics. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between myopia and outdoor activities. Results: The prevalence of self-reported myopia among middle school students was 69.6% (8 766/12 603); which was separately 52.1% (1 216/2 335) in seventh grader, 61.6% (1 459/2 369) in eighth grader, 69.0%(1 470/2 129) in ninth grader, 80.0% (1 812/2 265) in freshmen, 79.4% (1 622/2 042) in sophomore, and 81.1%(1 187/1 463) in junior. The prevalence of self-reported myopia showed an increasing trend with the increase of grade (χ(2)=639.67, P<0.001). The prevalence of self-reported myopia was separately 63.5%(4 927/7 756) in non-myopic parents group, 78.0%(2 664/3 415)in either myopic parent group, and 82.1%(1 175/1 432) in both myopic parents group(χ(2)=328.28, P<0.001). Outdoor activities were associated with self-reported myopia. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of self-reported myopia was significantly increased by always staying at home in extracurricular time among the middle school students (OR=1.58, 95%CI: 1.36-1.82). The risk of self-reported myopia were significantly decreased by always physical exercise and recreational activities after school among middle school students: the ORs were separately 0.67 (95%CI: 0.57-0.78) for physical exercise and 0.77 (95%CI: 0.64-0.92) for recreational activities. After stratified analysis by the parents' myopia status, in non-myopic parents group, exercise and recreational activities after school among middle school students decreased the risk of myopia: the ORs were separately 0.68 (95%CI: 0.55-0.82) for physical exercise and 0.76 (95%CI: 0.61-0.95) for recreational activities; in either myopic parent group, OR(95%CI) were separately 0.65 (0.47-0.90) and 0.68 (0.47-0.98). Conclusion: Outdoor activities was negatively associated with self-reported myopia among middle school students. However, the parents' myopia status may affect the protective effect.

[Analysis of individualized primary prophylactic treatment of 19 cases of children with severe hemophilia A]

Objective: To study the current situation of primary prophylaxis in severe hemophilia A children and to explore rational regimen in order to provide evidence for the development of primary prophylaxis in China. Method: A retrospective clinical data collection and analysis was conducted for 19 severe hemophilia A children who received primary prophylaxis in Beijing Children's Hospital outpatient clinic between February 2011 and September 2015 and evaluated the regimen and efficacy. Result: (1) Primary prophylaxis regimen: the median beginning age 1.8 (range 0.5-2.9) years, the median FⅧ preparation using dosage 16.7 (8.0-23.5) U/(kg·time), the median using frequency was 1.0 (1.0-3.0) time/week. Eight cases among the patients received escalation of treatment intensity because of the poor bleeding control. (2) Efficacy: the median annual bleeding rate (ABR) was 1.9 (0-6.0) times/year, the median annual joint bleeding rate (AJBR) was 0 (0-3.3) times/year, without life threatening bleeding. All of them kept in 4th scale of Beijing Children Hospital daily activity level. The median annual factor consumption was 1 844 (840-5 040) U/kg. Conclusion: Low-dose primary prophylaxis regimen which were in low-dose /low frequencies and adjusted by bleeding frequency could decrease bleeding and joint bleeding frequency significantly, maintained the normal daily activity capacity and saved the factor consumption compared to standard regimen in severe hemophilia A children.

[The incidence and risk factors of catheter-related-thrombosis during induction chemotherapy in acute lymphocytic leukemia children]

目的

分析初诊急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）诱导化疗期外周静脉穿刺中心静脉置管（PICC）患儿导管相关性血栓（CRT）的危险因素。

方法

收集2014年3月1日至2014年12月31日首都医科大学附属北京儿童医院血液肿瘤中心白血病病房行PICC置管的116例初诊ALL患儿临床资料。

结果

①PICC置管后第15天33例（28.4%）患儿发生CRT（CRT组），83例患儿未发生CRT（非CRT组）。②两组在性别、年龄分布、ALL危险度、免疫表型以及置管时两组血常规、凝血功能、是否合并感染、置管静脉方面差异无统计学意义，CRT组右侧置管比例高于非CRT组[75.8%（25/33）对55.4%（46/83），P=0.043]。③CRT组患者均无临床症状，置管第15天D-二聚体高于非CRT组[0.18（0.05~2.45）mg/L对0.11（0.01~5.34）mg/L，P=0.001]。④观察期中出现3例导管相关性并发症，均为导管相关性感染，其中2例并发CRT。⑤置管第33天CRT组26例患者复查B超，19例（73.1%）血栓缩小，6例（23.1%）无明显变化，1例（3.8%）增大。

结论

CRT是初诊ALL患儿诱导化疗期PICC置管的常见导管相关并发症，但症状出现较少，大部分血栓可自行缩小，右侧置管为CRT发生的危险因素；检测D-二聚体水平以及定期进行导管部位B超检查有助于及时发现CRT。

[Expression of Ether à go-go 1 and its molecular mechanism of regulating the malignant phenotype of osteosarcoma]

Objective: To explore the expression of ether à go-go 1 (Eag1) in human osteosarcoma and its molecular mechanisms of regulating the malignant phenotype of osteosarcoma. Methods: The expression levels of Eag1 in osteosarcoma cell lines and human osteosarcoma tissues were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to inhibit the expression of Eag1. The abilities of proliferation and invasion in osteosarcoma cells transfected with Eag1 siRNA were determined by CCK-8, colony formation assay, transwell assay and wound healing assay. The osteosarcoma xenograft model of nude mouse was established and tumor growth curve was drawn. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in osteosarcoma cells transfected with Eag1 siRNAs. Results: Eag1 was overexpressed in the osteosarcoma cells and tissues. Compared with the scrambled siRNA group, the cell survival rates of Eag1 siRNA1 and Eag1 siRNA2 groups of the two cell lines were significantly lower. [MG-63 cells: scrambled siRNA group (100.0±4.65)%, Eag1 siRNA1 group (63.57±3.89)%, and Eag1 siRNA2 group (54.13±3.70)%; Saos-2 cells: scrambled siRNA group (100.00±5.46)%, Eag1 siRNA1 group (56.70±5.34)%, and Eag1 siRNA2 group (40.27±5.28)% (P<0.001 for all)]. Similar results were obtained from colony formation assay. The colony formation rates of MG-63 cells: the scrambled siRNA group was (92.00±3.46)%, Eag1 siRNA1 group (60.00±3.06)%, and Eag1 siRNA2 group (53.67±2.40)%; the colony formation rates of Saos-2 cells: the scrambled siRNA group was (92.00±5.57)%, Eag1 siRNA1 group (52.33±5.13)%, and Eag1 siRNA2 group (41.67±2.73)%. Compared with the scrambled siRNA group, P<0.001 for all. The tumor volumes of osteosarcoma xenograft in the Eag1 siRNA1 and Eag1 siRNA2 groups were significantly smaller than that in the scrambled siRNA group after 10 days treatment (P<0.01 for all). The invasion assay data showed that MG-63 and Saos-2 cells transfected with Eag1 siRNAs exhibited the ability of cell invasion, when compared with the cells transfected with scrambled siRNA. (Invasive cell number of MG-63 cells: the scrambled siRNA group was 134.00±3.61, Eag1 siRNA1 group 105.20±2.52, and Eag1 siRNA2 group 91.00±3.01; Invasive cell number of Saos-2 cells: the scrambled siRNA group was 132.30±3.23, Eag1 siRNA1 group 114.30±3.48, and Eag1 siRNA2 group 82.67±6.33. Compared with the scrambled siRNA group, P<0.01 for all. The migration rates were (62.48±1.83)%, (35.98±1.23)% and (32.30±1.20)% in the three groups of MG-63 cells, and (70.15±1.42)%, (41.38±1.34)% and (32.40±1.92)% in the three groups of Saos-2 cells, respectively. Compared with the scrambled siRNA group, P<0.001 for all. Notably, the expression levels of VEGF decreased evidently after Eag1 siRNAs transfection, paralleled with reduction in the expression levels of STAT3. Conclusions: Eag1 may promote osteosarcoma cell proliferation and invasion by targeting STAT3-VEGF pathway and may be a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.

[Regulatory analysis of hypoxia on innate immunity of human corneal epithelium]

Objective: To investigate the role of hypoxia on the regulation of innate immunity of human corneal epithelium. Methods: Telomerase-immortalized human epithelial cells (THCEs) were incubated under normoxia (21% O₂) or hypoxic (1% O₂) conditions respectively. After 6, 12, 24, 48 h culture, the mRNA and protein levels of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. After 24 h culture, THCEs of each group were challenged respectively with TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 μg/ml) for 6 h. RT-PCR was used to assess the mRNA level of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), interleukin(IL)6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Western blot was used to examine the protein level of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B α (IκBα) and phosphorylated IκBα (p-IκBα). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. Results: The results of RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that the expression of TLR4 downregulated 90% and 55% respectively after hypoxic exposure for 48 h. Hypoxia also inhibited LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, expression of MyD88 and activation of NF-κB. The mRNA level of MyD88 was diminished 63%, and the protein expression of p-IκBα was also lowered. Meanwhile, the secretions of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α under hypoxia were reduced (31%, 55% and 50% respectively). Conclusion: Hypoxia attenuated immune and inflammatory response of the cornea epithelium by suppressing TLR4 signaling, and could enhance cell susceptibility to microorganism infection.

[Progress in research of association between myopia and sunlight exposure in children]

Myopia has become a major health problem on global scale due to its increasing high prevalence in the past few decades and gradual younger onset age. Accumulated epidemiological surveys have shown that decreased time of exposure to sunlight would be an inducement for the development of myopia. Increasing time spent outdoors and exposure to sunlight might be the most cost-effective and effective measure for children to prevent myopia. This paper summarizes the progress in research of the association between sunlight exposure and myopia in children and its mechanisms to provide new clues for the research on myopia prevention and control.

Fine mapping of the Rsv1-h gene in the soybean cultivar Suweon 97 that confers resistance to two Chinese strains of the soybean mosaic virus

KEY MESSAGE

The Rsv1 - h gene in cultivar Suweon 97, which confers resistance to SMVs, was mapped to a 97.5-kb location (29,815,195-29,912,667 bp on chromosome 13) in the Rsv1 locus, thereby providing additional insights into the molecular nature underlying variations in resistance alleles in this particular locus. Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is a well-known devastating pathogen of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill.) causing significant yield losses and seed quality deterioration. A single dominant allele, Rsv1-h, which confers resistance to multiple SMV strains, was previously reported in the cultivar Suweon 97, but its exact location is unknown. In the present study, Suweon 97 was crossed with a SMV-sensitive cultivar, Williams 82. Inoculating 267 F 2 individuals with two Chinese SMV strains (SC6-N and SC7-N) demonstrated that one single dominant gene confers SMV resistance. Another 1,150 F 2 individuals were then screened for two simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers (BARCSOYSSR_13_1103 and BARCSOYSSR_13_1187) that flank the Rsv1 locus. Seventy-four recombinants were identified and 20 additional polymorphic SSR markers within the Rsv1 region were then employed in genotyping these recombinants. F 2:3 and F 3:4 recombinant lines were also inoculated with SC6-N and SC7-N to determine their phenotypes. The final data revealed that in Suweon 97, the Rsv1-h gene that confers resistance to SC6-N and SC7-N was flanked by BARCSOYSSR_13_1114 and BARCSOYSSR_13_1115, two markers that delimit a 97.5-kb region in the reference Williams 82 genome. In such region, eight genes were present, of which two, Glyma13g184800 and Glyma13g184900, encode the characteristic CC-NBS-LRR type of resistance gene and were considered potential candidates for Rsv1-h.

[Investigation of the Campaign of"Eliminating the Four Pests and Paying Attention to Hygiene"in Shanxi province in the 1950s, with special reference to technological innovation]

In order to improve the level of people's living and health standard, increase the output of cereal crops, achieve the country's economic recovery and development, and consolidate the new state power, a Campaign of"Eliminating the Four Pests and Paying Attention to Hygiene"in the field of health was launched by the Central Government in the 1950s. In response to the call of government, Shanxi province actively organized the people to participate in this Campaign. For improving the efficiency of Eliminating the Four Pests, people widely carried out technological innovation, with constant creation and invented advanced tools, and gained fruitful technological achievements. Through technological innovation, the working efficiency and quality were enhanced. More importantly, the interaction between the national and local authorities was promoted. In other words, there was a formation of national political domination and power over the local authority, as well as the"owner"awareness and the formation of the state conception.

Association of genetic variations in the ACLY gene with growth traits in Chinese beef cattle

ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) is the primary enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cytosolic acetyl-CoA, which is a key precursor of both fatty acid and mevalonate synthesis pathways. Genetic variation of the ACLY gene may influence multiple traits associated with animal production. Here, we identified three non-synonymous mutations in ACLY exons in five beef cattle populations using DNA pool sequencing and high-resolution melting analysis. Results from association analyses revealed that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) g.17127C>T is significantly associated with chest girth (P < 0.01) and body height (P < 0.05) in the Fleckvieh x Zhangye local crossbred cattle, and with body slanting length (P < 0.05) in the Simmental x Guyuan local crossbred cattle. SNP g.40427T>C is significantly associated with an increase in chest girth (P < 0.05) in the Simmental x Huzhu cattle population. These results provide preliminary evidence that polymorphisms in the bovine ACLY gene are associated with growth traits in beef cattle in northwest China. However, a larger sample set is needed to validate these findings.

[Analysis on risk factors of screen time among Chinese primary and middle school students in 12 provinces]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the characteristics of screen time and its risk factors in Chinese primary and middle school students.

METHODS

During April 2012 and June 2012, according to the geographical distribution, the stratified random cluster sampling method was used to select 4 provinces from eastern, central and western China, respectively. The convenience sampling method was used to select 2 primary and middle schools from urban, 2 primary and middle schools from rural in each province. In each school, all grades were included, and 2 classes were selected in each grade. A total of 51 866 students or parents were selected as study participants, and 43 771 questionnaires were valid. Information on demographics, academic performance, screen time (TV, computer and cellphone) at weekdays and weekends and the prevalence of the high screen time were compared, multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between screen time >2 h/d and potential influential factors.

RESULTS

The percentage of students with screen time >2 h/d at weekdays and weekends were 16.2% (7 082/43 771) and 41.5% (18 141/43 771) (χ(2)=6 280.14, P<0.001), respectively. The distribution of P50 (P25-P75) for screen time at weekdays and weekends were 0.9(0.4-1.6) and 1.8(1.0-3.0) (Z=-131.26, P<0.001), respectively. The results of multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that, at weekdays, subjects characterized as primary school students, boys, urban area, living in western area and sufficient vigorous physical activity ≤2 d/w had higher risk for screen time >2 h/d than those characterized as elementary school students, girls, rural area, living in eastern area and sufficient vigorous physical activity >3 d/w, odds ratio were 2.01, 1.54, 1.21, 1.09, and 1.07, respectively (P<0.05 for all); subjects characterized as a normal or worse self rating academic performance had higher risk for screen time >2 h/d than those characterized as a good self rating academic performance, odds ratioes were 1.24 and 1.73, respectively (P<0.05 for all); subjects characterized as paternal education level as elementary school, middle school, high school or secondary school had higher risk for screen time >2 h/d than those characterized as paternal education level as college school or high, odds ratioes were 1.41, 1.47 and 1.52, respectively (P<0.05 for all); subjects characterized as maternal education level as elementary school, middle school and high school or secondary school had higher risk for screen time >2 h/d than those characterized as maternal education level as college, odds ratioes were 1.40, 1.52 and 1.47, respectively (P<0.05 for all). At weekends, subjects characterized as primary school students, boys, urban area and sufficient vigorous physical activity ≤2 d/w had higher risk for screen time >2 h/d than those characterized as elementary school students, girls, rural area and sufficient vigorous physical activity >3 d/w, odds ratioes were 2.11, 1.51, 1.20 and 1.05, respectively (P<0.05 for all). At weekends, subjects characterized as a normal or worse self rating academic performance had higher risk for screen time >2 h/d than those characterized as a good self rating academic performance, odds ratioes were 1.09 and 1.26, respectively (P<0.05 for all); subjects characterized as paternal education level as elementary school, middle school, high school or secondary school had higher risk for screen time >2 h/d than those characterized as paternal education level as college school or high, odds ratioes were 1.29, 1.30 and 1.19, respectively (P<0.05 for all); subjects characterized as maternal education level as elementary school, middle school had higher risk for screen time >2 h/d than those characterized as maternal education level as college school or high, odds ratioes were 1.19 and 1.16 and, respectively (P<0.05 for all).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of screen time >2 h/d is high; screen time at weekdays is longer than weekends, and there are significant differences among different sexes, urban or rural areas, living areas, self rating academic performance, parents education levels and physical activity groups.

Identification of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM)-Responsive microRNAs in Tomato

A majority of land plants can form symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated to regulate this process in legumes, but their involvement in non-legume species is largely unknown. In this study, by performing deep sequencing of sRNA libraries in tomato roots and comparing with tomato genome, a total of 700 potential miRNAs were predicted, among them, 187 are known plant miRNAs that have been previously deposited in miRBase. Unlike the profiles in other plants such as rice and Arabidopsis, a large proportion of predicted tomato miRNAs was 24 nt in length. A similar pattern was observed in the potato genome but not in tobacco, indicating a Solanum genus-specific expansion of 24-nt miRNAs. About 40% identified tomato miRNAs showed significantly altered expressions upon Rhizophagus irregularis inoculation, suggesting the potential roles of these novel miRNAs in AM symbiosis. The differential expression of five known and six novel miRNAs were further validated using qPCR analysis. Interestingly, three up-regulated known tomato miRNAs belong to a known miR171 family, a member of which has been reported in Medicago truncatula to regulate AM symbiosis. Thus, the miR171 family likely regulates AM symbiosis conservatively across different plant lineages. More than 1000 genes targeted by potential AM-responsive miRNAs were provided and their roles in AM symbiosis are worth further exploring.

[TSLPR/STAT5 signaling modulates innate immunity in corneal fibroblasts triggered by Aspergillus fumigatus]

OBJECTIVE

To study the primary role of TSLPR/STAT5 signaling in inflammatory responses triggered by Aspergillus fumigatus(AF) in telomerase-immortalized human stromal fibroblasts (THSF).

METHODS

Experimental study. Baseline expression of TSLPR in THSF was assessed by immunofluorescence analysis. Human recombinant TSLP was added. At 5, 15, 30 and 60 min after incubation, cells were harvested for Western blot to assess the protein levels of p-STAT5 and STAT5. After stimulated with AF hyphae for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h, cells were collected for measurement of mRNA of TSLPR and IL-7Rα. After incubated with AF hyphae for 12, 24 and 48 h, cells were harvested for Western blot to assess the protein levels of TSLPR, p-STAT5 and STAT5. Incubation with anti-TSLPR antibody was performed for 4 h, and at 24 h after AF hyphae were added, cells were harvested to assess the protein levels of p-STAT5 and STAT5.

RESULTS

Immunofluorescence staining evidenced that expression of TSLPR was visualized in THSF. Western blot assay showed that p-STAT5 protein was increased and peaked at 30 min after stimulation with hTSLP (AF group: 8.87±0.75; control group: 1.00±0.14; P<0.01). RT-PCR revealed that the expression levels of TSLPR mRNA were increased after incubation with AF hyphae for 3, 6, 12 and 24 h (AF group: 0.000 50±0.000 07, 0.001 20±0.000 11, 0.002 30±0.000 25 and 0.001 70±0.000 17; control group: 0.000 20±0.000 03, 0.000 20±0.000 05, 0.000 20±0.000 03 and 0.000 20±0.000 04; t=-9.955, -17.329, -16.735 and -18.214, P<0.01), but the expression levels of IL-7Rα mRNA were not increased significantly (t=-0.684,-0.029,-0.319,-1.034, P>0.05). In comparison with the control group, after being challenged with AF hyphae for 24 h, both TSLPR and p-STAT5 protein were increased significantly (p-STAT5: 9.46±2.08 vs. 1.00±0.06; TSLPR: 1.80±0.27 vs. 1.00±0.34; t=-7.055, -3.170, P<0.01). Western blot showed that the elevated p-STAT5 expression levels observed after AF hyphae stimulation can be inhibited by TSLPR antibody (anti-TSLPR-AF: 0.55 ± 0.20; CTR Ab-AF: 1.00 ± 0.08; t=3.506, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

TSLP/TSLPR/STAT5 signaling pathway plays an important role in inflammatory responses triggered by AF in THSF.

Soybean Cyst Nematode Resistance Emerged via Artificial Selection of Duplicated Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase Genes

A major soybean (Forrest cultivar) quantitative trait locus (QTL) gene, Rhg4, which controls resistance to soybean cyst nematodes (SCN), encodes the enzyme serine hydroxylmethyltransferase (SHMT). The resistant allele possesses two critical missense mutations (P130R and N358Y) compared to that of the sensitive allele, rhg4. To understand the evolutionary history of this gene, sequences of 117 SHMT family members from 18 representative plant species were used to reconstruct their phylogeny. According to this phylogeny, the plant SHMT gene family can be divided into two groups and four subgroups (Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb). Belonging to the Subgroup Ia lineage, the rhg4 gene evolved from a recent duplication event in Glycine sp.. To further explore how the SCN-resistant allele emerged, both the rhg4 gene and its closest homolog, the rhg4h gene, were isolated from 33 cultivated and 68 wild soybean varieties. The results suggested that after gene duplication, the soybean rhg4 gene accumulated a higher number of non-synonymous mutations than rhg4h. Although a higher number of segregating sites and gene haplotypes were detected in wild soybeans than in cultivars, the SCN-resistant Rhg4 allele (represented by haplotype 4) was not found in wild varieties. Instead, a very similar allele, haplotype 3, was observed in wild soybeans at a frequency of 7.4%, although it lacked the two critical non-synonymous substitutions. Taken together, these findings support that the SCN-resistant Rhg4 allele likely emerged via artificial selection during the soybean domestication process, based on a SCN-sensitive allele inherited from wild soybeans.

The evolution of soybean mosaic virus: An updated analysis by obtaining 18 new genomic sequences of Chinese strains/isolates

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is widely recognized as a highly damaging pathogen of soybean, and various strains/isolates have been reported to date. However, the pathogenic differences and phylogenetic relationships of these SMV strains/isolates have not been extensively studied. In the present work, by first obtaining 18 new genomic sequences of Chinese SMV strains/isolates and further compiling these with available data, we have explored the evolution of SMV from multiple aspects. First, as in other potyviruses, recombination has occurred frequently during SMV evolution, and a total of 32 independent events were detected. Second, using a maximum-likelihood method and removing recombinant fragments, a phylogeny covering 83 SMV sequences sampled from all over the world was reconstructed and the results showed four separate SMV clades, with clade I and II recovered for the first time. Third, the population structure analysis of SMV revealed significant genetic differentiations between China and two other countries (Korea and U.S.A.). Fourth, certain SMV-encoded genes, such as P1, HC-Pro and P3, exhibited higher non-synonymous substitution rate (dN) than synonymous substitution rate (dS), indicating that positive selection has influenced these genes. Finally, four Chinese SMV strains/isolates were selected for inoculation of both USA and Chinese differential soybean cultivars, and their pathogenic phenotypes were significantly different from that of the American strains. Overall, these findings have further broadened our understanding on SMV evolution, which would assist researchers to better deal with this harmful virus.

Effect of ear-acupoint pressing and Ear Apex (HX6,7) bloodletting on haemorheology in chloasma patients with Gan depression pattern

OBJECTIVE

To explore the therapeutical effect of ear-acupoint pressing combined with Ear Apex (HX6,7) bloodletting on haemorheology in chloasma patients with Gan (Liver) depression pattern.

METHODS

A total of 180 chloasma patients were randomly assigned to three groups, 60 cases in each. Patients in the earacupuncture (EA) group were treated with ear-acupoint pressing combined with Ear Apex (HX6,7) bloodletting; vitamins C and E were put into practice in the Western medicine (WM) group together with 0.025% tretinoin cream for local external application; patients in the placebo group were treated with urea-cream by external use, while 30 healthy volunteers were in the control group. After a treatment course of 2 months, the changes of haemorheology, injury skin area, colour score and symptom score before and after the treatment were observed.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference on whole blood reduced viscosity (high shear, medium shear, and low shear), erythrocyte aggregation index, hematocrit, plasma viscosity among the four groups (F =2.65, P>0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the whole blood viscosity (high shear) and whole blood reduced viscosity (high shear) after treatment in the EA group, the WM group and the placebo group were with no statistical significance (P>0.05). The injury skin area and colour score after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment in the EA group and the WM group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in placebo group (P>0.05). Clinical symptoms of the EA group were obviously improved after the 2-month treatment, which was significantly different compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), there was significant difference compared with those of WM group and placebo group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference on haemorheology index between healthy people and chloasma patients without angionosis, cerebrovascular disease, hematopathy, metabolic disease or any other organic disease. Ear-acupoint pressing combined with Ear Apex (HX6,7) bloodletting can effectively improve concurrent symptoms, lighten chloasma and lower chloasma area in patients accompanied by Gan depression.

Association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms of fatty acid synthase gene and meat quality traits in Datong Yak (Bos grunniens)

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a key enzyme in fatty acid anabolism that plays an important role in the fat deposit of eukaryotic cells. Therefore, in this study, we detected 2 novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FASN gene in 313 adult individuals of Datong yak using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing techniques. SNP g.5477C>T is located in intron 3 of FASN, and 3 genotypes, HH, HG, and GG, were detected in this mutation site. SNP g.16930T>A is located in exon 37 of FASN, and 2 genotypes, EE and EF, were detected in this site. Association analysis of these 2 SNPs with meat quality traits showed that in SNP g.5477C>T, yaks with the HH genotype and HG genotype had significantly higher intramuscular fat content than individuals with the GG genotype (P < 0.01). In SNP g.16930T>A, yaks with the EE genotype also had significantly higher IMF content than individuals with the EF genotype (P < 0.01). The results indicate that FASN may be used as a candidate gene affecting intramuscular fat content in Datong yaks.

Silencing of stat4 gene inhibits cell proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer cells

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) play critical roles in development, proliferation, and immune defense. However the consequences of STAT hyperactivity can predispose to diseases, including colorectal cancer. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the function of STAT4 in human colorectal cancer (CRC). The expression of STAT4 was examined by immunohistochemical assay using a tissue microarray procedure. A loss-of-function experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of lentivirus-mediated STAT4 shRNA (Lv-shSTAT4) on cell proliferation and invasive potential indicated by MTT and Transwell assays in CRC cell lines (SW480 and Caco2). As a consequence, it was found that the expression of STAT4 protein was significantly increased in CRC tissues compared with that in adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCT) (71.1% vs 44.4%, P=0.015), and was related with the Duke’s staging and depth of invasion in CRC patients (P=0.022; P=0.001). Silencing of STAT4 gene suppressed cell proliferation and invasion of CRC cells. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that increased expression of STAT4 is positively correlated with the depth of invasion in CRC patients, and inhibition of STAT4 expression represses the growth and invasion of CRC cells, suggesting that STAT4 may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC.

[Correlation between body composition and exercise capacity in patients with coronary heart disease]

OBJECTIVE

To provide the evidence for more accurately assessing the patient's body composition, predicting exercise capacity and guiding rehabilitation exercise by analyzing the body compositions in patients with coronary heart disease, and to study the correlation between body compositions and exercise capacity.

METHODS

The study enrolled 663 patients with coronary heart disease in NYHA I-II stages, who underwent coronary intervention therapy between December 2013 and August 2014. Between 15th and 20th days of the onset, cardiopulmonary exercising testing (CPET, Bruce Protocol) was conducted, and the body composition was measured with the Inboby720 body composition analyzer before CPET.

RESULTS

All the patients completed the body composition evaluation and the CPET. According to the three indicators of body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), waist-hip ratio (WHR), the diagnostic rate of obesity was 22.8%, 63.3%, and 72.7%, respectively. There was a good negative correlation between PBF and exercise capacity (r=-0.306, P<0.001). Compared with non-obesity patients, the exercise capacity of obesity group decreased according to PBF (P<0.01). The patients were divided into low, moderate and high exercise capacity groups according to METs, and the difference was only the PBF among the three groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

PBF, measured by body composition, is a more accurate diagnosis of obesity and has a good negative correlation with exercise capacity, which can be used as an important indicator to predict the exercise capacity in patients with coronary heart disease and guide the rehabilitation exercise.

A genomic survey of thirty soybean-infecting bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) isolates from China pointed BCMV as a potential threat to soybean production

Widely known as a severe pathogen of bean plants, the bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) has been reported to infect soybeans only sporadically and the involved strains were all found in China regions. To explore variations among soybean-infecting BCMV strains, hundreds of soybean mosaic leave samples were collected throughout China, with a total of 30 BCMV isolates detected and their genomes sequenced. These newly obtained genomes, together with 16 other BCMV genomes available in GenBank were examined from multiple aspects to characterize BCMV evolutionary processes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that both soybean-infecting BCMVs (group I) and peanut-infecting BCMVs (group II) are distantly related to other BCMVs, suggesting ancestral differentiation and host adaptation. Genetic variation analysis showed that P1, P3 and 6K2 genes and the beginning portion of CP gene showed higher levels of variation relative to other genes. Moreover, selection analyses further confirmed that a number of sites within the P1 and P3 genes have suffered positive selection. These obtained BCMV sequences also exhibit high recombination frequencies, indicating a more dynamic evolutionary history. Finally, 12 different soybean cultivars were challenged with two BCMV isolates (DXH015 and HZZB011), with most of the cultivars successfully infected. These findings suggest that BCMV is indeed a potential threat to soybean production.

Alternaria brassicicola Causes a Leaf Spot on Isatis indigotica in China

Chinese woad (Isatis indigotica) is a biennial herb in the Brassicaceae that is widely cultivated in China. Extracts from the roots and leaves have potential pharmaceutical use for treatment of flu, encephalitis, measles, hepatitis, and mumps (2). In June 2012, a leaf spot was observed on 1-year-old plants of I. indigotica in the medicinal garden of Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China. More than 50% of the leaves and 100% of the plants in the garden were symptomatic. In the initial stage of infection, irregular to circular, dark gray spots, each surrounded by a chlorotic halo, appeared on leaves. The spots ranged from pinpoint to 5 mm in diameter. Some spots enlarged and coalesced, forming concentric rings. Black, sunken, fusiform lesions were observed on the petioles. Lesions gradually dried and exhibited a shot-hole appearance, and entire infected leaves desiccated. Small pieces of infected leaves and petioles were surface-disinfested in 75% ethanol for 60 s, rinsed thrice in sterilized distilled water, dried, and plated on potato dextrose agar. Olive-green mycelium developed after 2 days of incubation at 25°C, turned dark green, and covered the petri dish 10 days later. The periphery of each colony was gray and velvety. On potato carrot agar medium, conidia formed on branched chains. Conidiophores arose singly or in clusters, were straight or flexuous, separated, and measured 6.8 to 26.7 × 3.1 to 11.9 μm Conidia on host plant tissues were olivaceous, cylindrical or inverted clavate, and 25.8 to 65.2 × 10.9 to 18.3 μm Larger conidia were cylindrical or obclavate, and smaller conidia were oval. Transverse and longitudinal septa of conidia ranged from 3 to 10 and from 0 to 7 μm, respectively. A very small conidial beak or no beak was observed on each conidium. On the basis of these morphological characteristics,the fungus was identified as Alternaria brassicicola (3). A PCR assay with the ITS4 and ITS5 primers was used to amplify DNA extracted from each of four isolates (1). The sequence (567 bp) of isolate Sl-8 was submitted to GenBank (Accession No. KF531832), and showed 100% similarity to that of an A. brassicicola isolate (AF392985.1), confirming the species identification. Pathogenicity assays with 10 single-conidium isolates were done by spraying a conidial suspension (1 × 10⁶ conidia/ml) of each isolate, or sterilized water for the control treatment, onto healthy leaves and petioles of five 3-month-old plants of I. indigotica. Inoculated and control plants were enclosed in plastic bags for 48 h. After 7 days, symptoms on inoculated plants were similar to those on the original diseased plants, while control plants remained symptomless. Re-isolation from inoculated plants produced mycelial colonies with morphological characteristics of A. brassicicola, fulfilling Koch's postulates. No fungus was isolated from control plants. A. napiformis and A. brassicae have been reported as causal agents of Alternaria leaf spot on I. indigotica in China (3). To our knowledge, however, this is the first report of A. brassicicola as a pathogen on I. indigotica in China. References: (1) N. L. Glass and G. C. Donaldson. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61:1323, 1995. (2) A. J. Li et al. Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae Tomus 33, 1998. (3) T. Y. Zhang. Alternaria. Pages 99-100 in: Flora Fungorum Sinicorum, 2003.

First Report of Botrytis cinerea Causing Stem Blight of Scutellaria baicalensis in Jilin Province, China

Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae, and is grown in Jilin and 10 other provinces in China. Skullcap root extracts are used for treating allergies and respiratory conditions (5), and have inhibitory effects on some plant pathogens (2). In 2012, stem blight on 3-year-old Chinese skullcap plants were observed from mid-June to late-September in a herb garden at Jilin Agricultural University, Jilin Province, China. More than 90% of the 15 ha of skullcap plants were infected, and almost 60% of the infected plants died. A similar situation occurred in other regions of Jilin in 2012 and 2013. Oblong to irregular stem lesions, each 3 to 5 cm long, appeared on the basal stem. Lesions were initially light brown, and turned dark brown because of velvety, thick, gray fungal sporulation that formed over the lesions. The lesions eventually encircled the stems, preventing water and nutrient uptake. The infected plants often turned chlorotic and wilted. Symptomatic stem tissues were collected from three gardens in Jilin Province. Small pieces of diseased stems were surface-disinfested in 3% NaOCl for 2 min, rinsed twice in sterilized distilled water, plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium, and incubated at 22°C for 5 days. Ten isolates were recovered, and all produced gray hyphae and dark sclerotia on PDA. The conidia formed on tree-like, branched conidiophores and were colorless, single, lemon-shaped, smooth-walled, and 9.0 to 16.9 × 5.7 to 9.7 μm. Sclerotia formed when cultures on PDA plates were incubated for 20 days at 22°C. The sclerotia were dark, irregular, and 2.2 to 3.8 × 1.1 to 2.6 mm. To confirm pathogenicity of each of the 10 isolates, five 3-year-old Chinese skullcap plants were each inoculated on the basal stem with an 8-mm-diameter colonized PDA plug of the appropriate isolate. Five plants were inoculated similarly with non-colonized PDA plugs as a control treatment. All plants were maintained at 22°C in a greenhouse. The first lesions appeared on stems 5 days after inoculation, whereas control plants remained healthy. The same fungus was consistently recovered from inoculated lesions as the original isolates, and no fungus was re-isolated from control plants. DNA was extracted from isolate RSL-1 and amplified using the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region primers ITS5/ITS4 (1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (G3PDH) primers G-F/G-R, heat-shock protein 60 gene (HSP 60) primers H-F/H-R, and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase subunit II gene (RPB2) primers R-F/R-R (3). The ITS, G3PDH, HSP 60, and RPB2 sequences (GenBank Accession Nos. JX840480, KJ018760, KJ018758, and KJ018756, respectively) of isolate RSL-1 showed 100% similarity to the ITS sequence of strain WM6 of Botryotinia fuckeliana (anamorph Botrytis cinerea) (JN164269) (1), 100% identity to the G3PDH sequence of isolate Ice-2 of B. fuckeliana (AB546620) (3), 100% identity to the HSP60 sequence of isolate MUCL1152 of B. fuckeliana (AJ716090) (4), and 99.8% identity to the RPB2 sequence of isolate WM6 of B. fuckeliana (JN164272) (1). Based on these characteristics, the fungus was identified as B. cinerea. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. cinerea causing stem blight on S. baicalensis in Jilin Province, China. This disease may potentially cause great losses under favorable conditions. References: (1) X. Li. Plant Dis. 95:1592, 2011. (2) J. Y. Liu et al. Hubei Agric. Sci. 50:1809, 2011. (3) K. Maeda et al. J. Gen. Plant Pathol. 76:303, 2010. (4) M. Staats et al. Mol. Biol. Evol. 22:333, 2005. (5) K. Zandi et al. BMC Compl. Alternat. Medicine 13:1472, 2013.

Long-term evolution of nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat genes: understanding gained from and beyond the legume family

Proper utilization of plant disease resistance genes requires a good understanding of their short- and long-term evolution. Here we present a comprehensive study of the long-term evolutionary history of nucleotide-binding site (NBS)-leucine-rich repeat (LRR) genes within and beyond the legume family. The small group of NBS-LRR genes with an amino-terminal RESISTANCE TO POWDERY MILDEW8 (RPW8)-like domain (referred to as RNL) was first revealed as a basal clade sister to both coiled-coil-NBS-LRR (CNL) and Toll/Interleukin1 receptor-NBS-LRR (TNL) clades. Using Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) as an outgroup, this study explicitly recovered 31 ancestral NBS lineages (two RNL, 21 CNL, and eight TNL) that had existed in the rosid common ancestor and 119 ancestral lineages (nine RNL, 55 CNL, and 55 TNL) that had diverged in the legume common ancestor. It was shown that, during their evolution in the past 54 million years, approximately 94% (112 of 119) of the ancestral legume NBS lineages experienced deletions or significant expansions, while seven original lineages were maintained in a conservative manner. The NBS gene duplication pattern was further examined. The local tandem duplications dominated NBS gene gains in the total number of genes (more than 75%), which was not surprising. However, it was interesting from our study that ectopic duplications had created many novel NBS gene loci in individual legume genomes, which occurred at a significant frequency of 8% to 20% in different legume lineages. Finally, by surveying the legume microRNAs that can potentially regulate NBS genes, we found that the microRNA-NBS gene interaction also exhibited a gain-and-loss pattern during the legume evolution.

First Report of Bacterial Soft Rot of Horn Lian (Typhonium giganteum) Caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum in Jilin Province of China

Horn lian (Typhonium giganteum) is a perennial herb of the family Aracea and is commonly used for expelling phlegm and as an antispasmodic treatment. In August 2012, horn lian grown in Changchun, Jilin Province of China, exhibited soft rot disease with ~60% incidence and experienced great losses. Water-soaked and dark green lesions on leaves expanded along main veins. Semitransparent, water-soaked, and sunken lesions on stems expanded rapidly and caused the whole plant to collapse with a foul smell. Nine representative strains were isolated from infected leaves and stems on nutrient agar (NA) medium after 36 h incubation at 28°C (1). Colonies were round, shiny, grayish white, and convex on NA medium. All strains were gram-negative, non-fluorescent on King's B medium (KB), facultatively anaerobic, motile with three to six peritrichous flagella (observed by electron transmission microscope), positive for catalase and pectolytic activity test on potato slices, but negative for oxidase, urease, and lecithinase. Strains grew at 37°C and in yeast salts broth medium containing 5% NaCl. They also liquefied gelatin and reduced nitrate, but did not reduce sucrose. Strains were also negative for starch hydrolysis, malonate utilization, gas production from glucose and indole. Results were variable for the Voges-Proskauer test. The strains utilized sucrose, arabinose, fructose, D-galactose, D-glucose, inositol, lactose, D-mannose, D-mannitol, melibiose, rhamnose, salicin, trehalose, maltose, raffinose, glycerol, D-xylose, and cellobiose as carbon sources, but not melezitose, α-CH₃-D-gluconate, sorbitol, or dulcitol. Species identity was confirmed by molecular characterization of one of the nine strains, DJL1-2. DNA GC content indicated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was 51.7%. The 16S rDNA sequence (KC07897) of DJL1-2 showed 99% identity to that of a Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) strain (CP001657) and the sequence of the 16S-23S rDNA spacer region (KJ623257) was 93% similar to that of another known strain of Pcc (CP003776). As a result, the strains were identified as Pcc (2). Pathogenicity of the nine strains was evaluated by spraying 1 ml of bacterial cell suspension (10⁸ CFU/ml) onto healthy leaves and injecting 0.1 ml of cell suspension into stems of 3-year-old horn lian plants with a sterile pipette tip. Three seedlings were used for each strain and sterilized water served as negative controls. Pcc SMG-2 reference strain (from milk thistle) was also inoculated into horn lian leaves and stems. Inoculated plants were covered with plastic bags for 24 h in a greenhouse at 28 to 30°C. After 72 h, water-soaked lesions similar to the naturally infected plants were observed on leaves and stems inoculated by the nine isolated strains and Pcc SMG-2, while negative control plants remained symptomless. Biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequence analysis confirmed that the re-isolated bacteria were Pcc. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Pcc causing bacterial soft rot of horn lian in Changchun, Jilin Province, China. References: (1) Z. D. Fang. Research Method of Phytopathology. China Agricultural Press, 1998. (2) N. W. Schaad, et al. Laboratory Guide for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, 3rd ed. American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 2001.