[Clinical presentation of Kleine-Levin syndrome]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) patients. Methods: Clinical data of 44 patients with KLS of the Sleep Center of Peking University People's Hospital from January 2002 to July 2013 were systematically reviewed. The predisposing factors and clinical presentations were summarized, and compared with the data from a Western KLS study with a large subjects number. Nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) and multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) were conducted during relapse and remission period, respectively. HLA-DQB1*0602 gene were screened and analyzed. Results: Among the 44 patients, 28(63.6%) were men and 16(36.4%) were women, with a mean age of (18.3±8.9) years old. Most patients developed the symptoms during adolescence. Infection or fever was the most common trigger for episode. The main clinical presentations were 44(100.0%) hypersomnia, 31(70.5%) forgetfulness, 26(59.1%) decreased appetites, 24(54.5%) juvenile behavior, 18(40.9%) depression, etc. Compared with the Western study, it showed that our patients had decreased instead of increased appetite. The PSG testing did not have remarkable findings. MSLT showed mean sleep latency was significantly shorter during relapse than during remission [(10.4±5.4) vs (15.3±3.4) min, P=0.009]. HLA-DQB1*0602 was positive in 12 of 40(30.0%) patients, which was similar to the data in the Chinese population. Conclusions: KLS has various clinical characteristics. The presentation of appetite may be different between Chinese and western KLS patients.

Identification of 19 loci for reproductive traits in a local Chinese chicken by genome-wide study

Reproductive traits have long been studied and have an important influence on chicken breeding. To identify quantitative trait loci affecting reproductive traits, a genome-wide analysis of a Chinese chicken breed was performed to analyze age at first egg body weight at first egg, first egg weight, egg weight at the age of 300 days, egg weight at the age of 462 days, egg number at the age of 300 days, egg number between the ages of 300 and 462 days and egg number at the age of 462 days. Nineteen SNPs related to reproductive traits were presented (P < 1.80E-6). Nine of the 19 SNPs had a significant effect on BWF, six SNPs were significantly associated with egg weight, and four SNPs were significantly associated with egg number. These SNPs were located near to or in 17 genes including FAM184B, HTT, KCNH7, CDC42BPA, KCNIP4, GJA5, CBFB, and GPC6. The present results may be beneficial for reproductive research and may be used in marker-assisted selection in future studies. These results could potentially benefit further breeding programs, especially in Jinghai Yellow Chicken.

The efficacy and safety of SGLT2 inhibitors for adjunctive treatment of type 1 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To assess the efficacy and safety of the SGLT-2 inhibitors as adjunct therapy to insulin in T1DM, clinical trials indexed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase from inception through April 5, 2016. A meta-analysis was conducted on trials of SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with T1DM on insulin therapy using RevMan 5.3 software. Of the 371 articles identified, ten met eligibility criteria. Seven clinical trials including four randomized controlled trials and 581 patients were included. Compared with the control group, SGLT-2 inhibitors group had significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose by 0.69 mmol/L [1.32; 0.07], glycosylated hemoglobin A1C by 0.37% [0.54; 0.20], body weight by 2.54 kg [3.48; 1.60] and total daily insulin dose by 6.22 IU [8.04; 4.40]. The total incidence of adverse events (AEs), hypoglycemia, and genital and urinary infections were also similar to placebo, while an increased incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) (n = 16) was seen in SGLT-2 inhibitors group. The present study demonstrates that SGLT-2 inhibitors are effective as adjunct therapy to insulin in T1DM, heralding improved glycemic control, reduced body weight and total daily insulin dose without an increase in total AEs, hypoglycemia, or genital and urinary infections. However, the risk of DKA should be carefully monitored in future clinical trials.

[Prognostic value of JAK2, MPL and CALR mutations in Chinese patients with primary myelofibrosis]

目的

评价JAK2、MPL和CALR基因突变在中国原发性骨髓纤维化（PMF）患者中的预后意义。

方法

回顾性分析402例PMF患者的临床资料及JAK2、MPL和CALR基因突变，应用Kaplan-Meier、Log-rank和Cox回归模型进行相关预后因素分析。

结果

402例PMF患者中男209例，女193例，中位年龄55(15~89）岁。JAKV617F基因突变189例（47.0%），MPLW515基因突变13例（3.2%），CALR基因突变81例（20.1%）[1型突变30例（37.0%），2型突变48例（59.3%），少见型突变3例（3.7%）]，119例（29.6%）未检测到JAK2、MPL和CALR基因突变。单因素分析显示，2型CALR突变或未检测到JAK2、MPL和CALR基因突变的患者中位生存期（74个月）短于检测到JAK2、MPL或1型及少见型CALR基因突变的患者（168个月）[HR=2.990（95% CI 1.935~4.619），P <0.001]。因此，将基因突变类型分为预后不良组（2型CALR突变和未检测到JAK2、MPL和CALR基因突变）和预后良好组（JAKV617F、MPLW515、1型及少见型CALR基因突变）。经多因素分析提出了中国PMF患者的动态国际预后积分系统（DIPSS-Chinese）分子预后积分系统，各参数赋值如下：DIPSS-Chinese低危组0分，中危组1分，高危组2分，2型CALR突变或未检测到JAK2、MPL和CALR基因突变积1分。402例患者中，低危组（0分）132例（32.8%），中危-1组（1分）143例（35.6%），中危-2组（2分）106例（26.4%），高危组（3分）21例（5.2%）。低危组中位生存时间未达到，中危-1组为156(95% CI 117~194）个月，中危-2组为60(95% CI 28~91）个月，高危组为22（95% CI 10~33）个月，总生存差异具有统计学意义（P<0.001）。DIPSS-Chinese分子预后积分系统较DIPSS-Chinese有更准确的预测能力（−2 log似然比分别为855.6和869.7，P=0.005）。

结论

在中国PMF患者中，2型CALR突变和未检测到JAK2、MPL和CALR突变是独立的不良预后因素，DIPSS-Chinese分子预后积分系统有更好的预测价值。

[Laboratory diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the methods of flow cytometric-dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) analysis, gp91 protein detection, gene mutation analysis for the precise diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD).

METHOD

Clinical and laboratory data of patients with CGD confirmed by gene mutation analysis from 2008 to 2015 in Children's Hospital of Fudan University were retrospectively reviewed.The results of respiratory burst, gp91 protein level, and gene mutations were analyzed.The relationships among these three methods were explored.

RESULT

A total of 138 patients of CGD with confirmed gene mutation were included in this study, of them, 123 cases(89.1%) had CYBB gene mutation, 4 cases(2.9%) had CYBA mutation, 5 cases(3.6%) had NCF1 mutation and 6 cases(4.4%) had NCF2 mutation.The range of stimulatory index (SI) was 0.8-60.5, the 25 th, 50 th, 75th percent was 1.7, 2.7, 4.7; 112 cases had the results of gp91, of them, 100 with gp91(0,) 2 with gp91(-), and 10 with gp91(+) . Six mutations, which were not reported before, were c. 76-77delTT, c. 343-344delCA, c. 481A>T, c. 1152G>C, c. 1613G>A for CYBB gene, and c. 137T>G for NCF2 gene. Among CGD patients with CYBB mutation, SI of patients with gp91(+) was higher than patients with gp91(0) 14.6 vs. 2.5(t=44.21, P=0.004). Patients of NCF1 mutation had higher SI than patients with CYBB mutation, 17.7 vs. 2.5 (t=60.8, P=0.003).

CONCLUSION

Flow cytometric-DHR analysis and gp91 protein detection are important diagnostic methods for CGD, they could help the precise diagnosis of CGD.Different mutation types, different mutation genes could have impact on the results of respiratory burst and gp91 level.The application of diagnostic technology from function, protein to gene analysis could help precise diagnosis of CGD.

Effect of electroacupuncture on the cervicospinal P2X7 receptor/fractalkine/CX3CR1 signaling pathway in a rat neck-incision pain model

Increasing evidence supports that acupuncture intervention is an effective approach for intraoperative and postoperative pain. Neuron-microglia crosstalk, mediated by the purinergic P2X7 receptor (R)/fractalkine/CX3CR1 cascade in the spinal cord dorsal horn, plays a pivotal role in pain processing. However, its involvement in the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) remains unclear. In this study, a rat neck-incision pain model was established by making a longitudinal incision along the midline of the neck and subsequent repeated mechanical stimulation. EA stimulation was applied to bilateral LI18, LI4-PC6, or ST36-GB34. The thermal pain threshold, cervicospinal ATP concentration, expression levels of purinergic P2XR and P2YR subunits mRNAs, and fractalkine, CX3CR1 and p38 MAPK proteins, were detected separately. The neck incision induced strong thermal hyperalgesia and upregulation of spinal ATP within 48 h. No significant change was found in thermal hyperalgesia after a single session of EA intervention. However, a single session of EA dramatically enhanced the neck incision-induced upregulation of ATP and upregulated the expression of P2X7R, which was reversed by two sessions of EA. Two sessions of EA at bilateral LI18 or LI4-PC6 attenuated hyperalgesia significantly, accompanied with downregulation of P2X7R/fractalkine/ CX3CR1 signaling after three sessions of EA. EA stimulation of LI18 or LI4-PC6 alleviates thermal hyperalgesia in neck-incision pain rats, which may be associated with its effects in regulating the neck incision-induced increase of ATP and P2X7R and subsequently suppressing fractalkine/CX3CR1 signaling in the cervical spinal cord.

Effect of miR-29c and miR-129-5p on epithelial-mesenchymal transition in experimental biliary atresia mouse models

Biliary atresia (BA) is a destructive bile duct disease occurring in newborn children within a few weeks after birth. In this study, the effect of miR-29c and miR-129-5p on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in experimental BA was explored by constructing BA mouse models via Rhesus rotavirus vaccine infection. miR-29c and miR-129-5p expression was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. EMT was established by induction with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. miR-29c and miR-129-5p were overexpressed and inhibited, respectively, by Lipofectamine transfection. EMT-related protein (formin-like 2, FMNL2; E-cadherin; vimentin; and cytokeratin-19, CK-19) expression was analyzed by western blot and immunofluorescent assay. The results indicated that miR-29c and miR-129-5p were downregulated and upregulated in BA mice. TGF-β1 induction caused a time-dependent decrease and increase in miR-29c and miR-129-5p, respectively. Additionally, TGF-β1 induced an increase in FMNL2 and vimentin expression and a decrease in E-cadherin and CK-19 expression (P < 0.05). Overexpression or suppression of miRNA-29c or miR-129-5p, respectively, induced the inhibition of FMNL2 and vimentin, and promotion of E-cadherin and CK-19 expression, in the test groups compared to the non-intervention group (P < 0.05). However, the FMNL2, vimentin, E-cadherin, and CK- 19 expression did not differ between the control and non-intervention groups (P > 0.05). Thus, miR-29c upregulation or miR-129-5p downregulation effectively prevented EMT in BA by regulating the expression of EMT pathway-related proteins. Therefore, miR-29c and miR-129-5p could be utilized as therapeutic targets for BA in the future.

[Value of prostate volume, PSAD and F/T in the detection of prostate cancer in males with PSA 4-10 μg/L]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of prostate volume, PSAD and F/T with prostate cancer detection rate in males with a total PSA of 4-10 μg/L.

METHODS

Clinical data of 196 patients who underwent prostate biopsy from November 2006 to September 2010 and with a PSA of 4-10 μg/L were retrospectively analyzed. The association of detection rate of prostate cancer with prostate volume, prostate specific antigen density PSAD) and free PSA/total PSA ratio (F/T) was analyzed by Spearman coefficient, receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The prostate volume, PSAD and F/T had a significant association with detection rate of prostate cancer (P<0.05 for all). The odd ratio was 0.96, 1.91 and 0.02, respectively. The area under curve (AUR) was 0.31, 0.66 and 0.63, respectively. The cancer detection rate was decreased along with the increase of prostate volume. When PSAD 0.15 ng·ml(-1)·ml(-1) was used as the cut-off value, the sensitivity, specificity, positive prediction rate and negative prediction rate was 72.3%, 51.1%, 42.3% and 21.2%, respectively. When the patients were divided by prostate volume into <19.9, 20-39.9, 40-59.9, 60-79.9 and >80 ml subgroups, the cancer detection rate of each subgroup was 50.0%, 45.6%, 30.8%, 15.4% and 5.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In patients with a total PSA of 4-10 μg/L, the prostate cancer detection rate has a significant association with prostate volume, PSAD and F/T.

[A review on the epidemiologic features of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome]

Severe fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging hemorrhagic fever disease in the rural areas of east-central China, which is caused by SFTSV-a newly discovered bunyavirus. SFTSV is most likely transmitted by tick bites but can also be transmitted within human beings. The onset of SFTS is sudden and with rapid progress, with main clinical manifestations as fever, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia and gastrointestinal and hepatorenal dysfunctions. Some patients may die from multiple organ failure, and the case fatality rate is approximately 10%. In this paper, we use the method of literature review to summarize the recent research progress of SFTS which includes the epidemic distribution characteristics, medium of transmission, host animals, transmission routes and susceptibility in the general population.

Systematic review with network meta-analysis: comparative effectiveness and safety of strategies for preventing NSAID-associated gastrointestinal toxicity

BACKGROUND

Many strategies are used to prevent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-associated gastrointestinal toxicity, but the comparative effectiveness remains unclear.

AIM

To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of clinical strategies for preventing gastrointestinal toxicity induced by NSAIDs.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library (from their inception to May 2015) were searched for randomised controlled trials comparing the risk of gastrointestinal adverse events in patients taking nonselective NSAIDs, selective cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 inhibitors or nonselective NSAIDs/COX-2 inhibitors plus gastroprotective agents [proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), histamine-2 receptor antagonists, misoprostol]. Both pairwise meta-analysis and Bayesian network meta-analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Analyses were based on 82 trials including 125 053 participants. Network meta-analysis demonstrated that selective COX-2 inhibitors + PPIs [Risk ratio (RR), 95% Credible Interval (CrI): ulcer complications 0.07, 0.02-0.18], selective COX-2 inhibitors (RR, 95% CrI: ulcer complications 0.25, 0.15- 0.38; symptomatic ulcer 0.12, 0.04-0.30), nonselective NSAIDs + PPIs (RR, 95% CrI: ulcer complications 0.28, 0.18-0.41; symptomatic ulcer 0.11, 0.04-0.23), nonselective NSAIDs + misoprostol (RR, 95% CrI: ulcer complications 0.47, 0.24-0.81; symptomatic ulcer 0.41, 0.13-1.00) were associated with significantly lower risk of clinical gastrointestinal events compared with nonselective NSAIDs. For all effectiveness endpoints, selective COX-2 inhibitors + PPIs was associated with the lowest absolute event probability and the highest rank, followed by selective COX-2 inhibitors and thirdly by nonselective NSAIDs + PPIs.

CONCLUSION

The combination of selective COX-2 inhibitors plus PPIs provides the best gastrointestinal protection, followed by selective COX-2 inhibitors, and thirdly by nonselective NSAIDs plus PPIs.

Differential regulation of the expression of aquaporins 3 and 9 by Auphen and dbcAMP in the SMMC-7721 hepatocellular carcinoma cell line

Aquaglycero-aquaporins (agAQPs) are the structural foundation of rapid water transport and they appear to participate in cancer proliferation and malignancy. AQP3 expression is increased and AQP9 expression is decreased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to normal liver, which suggests their possible use as targets for cancer treatment. AQP-based modifiers, such as Auphen and dibutyryladenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (dbcAMP), might be used to treat several diseases and as chemical tools for assessing the functions of AQPs in biological systems. We investigated the effects of both Auphen on AQP3 and dbcAMP on AQP9 in SMMC-7721 cells. We used western blotting, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry to evaluate changes in AQP3 and AQP9 expression in SMMC-7721 cells after culturing with Auphen and dbcAMP, respectively. We also determined the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells. We found that compared to HL-7702 (L02) liver cells, Auphen increased AQP3 expression in tumor cells, whereas dbcAMP decreased expression of AQP9 in these cells. Also, high concentrations of Auphen and dbcAMP inhibited proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells in vitro. Auphen and dbcAMP may inhibit HCC development and could be considered targets for HCC diagnosis and therapy.

Growth and acid production of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus ATCC 11842 in the fermentation of algal carcass

Algal carcass is a low-value byproduct of algae after its conversion to biodiesel. Dried algal carcass is rich in protein, carbohydrate, and multiple amino acids, and it is typically well suited for growth and acid production of lactic acid bacteria. In this study, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus ATCC 11842 was used to ferment different algal carcass media (ACM), including 2% ACM, 2% ACM with 1.9% glucose (ACM-G), and 2% ACM with 1.9% glucose and 2g/L amino acid mixture (ACM-GA). Concentrations of organic acids (lactic acid and acetic acid), acetyl-CoA, and ATP were analyzed by HPLC, and activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acetokinase (ACK), pyruvate kinase (PK), and phosphofructokinase (PFK) were determined by using a chemical approach. The growth of L. bulgaricus cells in ACM-GA was close to that in the control medium (de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe). Lactic acid and acetic acid contents were greatly reduced when L. bulgaricus cells were grown in ACM compared with the control medium. Acetyl-CoA content varied with organic acid content and was increased in cells grown in different ACM compared with the control medium. The ATP content of L. bulgaricus cells in ACM was reduced compared with that of cells grown in the control medium. Activities of PFK and ACK of L. bulgaricus cells grown in ACM were higher and those of PK and LDH were lower compared with the control. Thus, ACM rich in nutrients may serve as an excellent substrate for growth by lactic acid bacteria, and addition of appropriate amounts of glucose and amino acids can improve growth and acid production.

[Homoharringtonine in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia treatment: a prospective, randomized controlled trial]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and toxicities of combining homoharringtonine (HHT)±daunorubicin (DNR) with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) based therapy and DNR plus ATRA based therapy in newly diagnosed low/intermediate risk acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

METHODS

A total of 96 newly diagnosed patients with APL were randomized to HHT group, DNR group and HHT+ DNR group prospectively. The complete remission (CR) rate, the overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) of three groups were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 31 patients in HHT group, 33 patients in DNR group and 32 patients in HHT+ DNR group. The baseline characteristics of three groups were similar. No patient died during induction therapy. The morphologic CR rate was 100.0%. The median time to peak WBC counts in HHT+DNR group (4 days, range: 1-23 days) was significantly shorter than that in HHT group (9 days, range: 1-27 days) (P=0.008) and DNR group (7 days, range: 1-27 days) (P=0.240). There was no difference among three groups about the incidence of differentiation syndrome, the median interval to achieve CR, peak WBC counts and transfusions (P >0.05). All patients achieved complete molecular remission (CMR) during consolidation therapy. The interval to achieve CMR was no significantly difference among three groups (P >0.05). The 3-year OS rates for HHT group, DNR group and HHT+DNR group were 95.0%, 100.0% and 91.0%, respectively (P=0.595). The 3-year EFS rates for three groups were 93.0%, 90.0% and 85.0% (P=0.382). No difference was found in the incidence of adverse events among three groups (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Similar to DNR plus ATRA based therapy, HHT plus ATRA based induction and consolidation therapy should be one of highly-efficient treatment options for newly diagnosed APL. Clinical trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-TRC-12002628.

Theoretical and experimental studies for high-repetition-rate disordered crystal lasers with harmonic self-mode locking

A harmonically self-mode-locked Nd:Sr3Y2/(BO3)4 disordered crystal laser with subpicosecond pulse duration is demonstrated. We exploit the damped harmonic oscillator model to numerically verify that the mode spacing of the laser cavity can be modified to be the harmonics of the free spectral range of the Fabry-Perot cavity when the optical length of the laser cavity is close to a commensurate ratio of the optical length of the Fabry-Perot cavity. In experiment, the Fabry-Perot cavity can be formed by the pump facet of the disordered crystal and the front mirror. A 110 GHz single-pulse harmonically mode-locked pulse train with pulse duration of 857 fs is experimentally achieved under optical lengths of 27.19 and 4.08 mm for the laser cavity and Fabry-Perot cavity respectively, corresponding to a fractional number of 20/3. A maximum output power of 162 mW is obtained at an incident pump power of 3.1 W.

Spectral properties and highly efficient continuous-wave laser operation in Nd-doped Sr(1-x)Y(x)F(2+x) crystals

Spectral properties of Nd:Sr(1-x)Y(x)F(2+x) crystals were investigated. Compared with Nd:SrF2, the spectral parameters of Nd:Sr(1-x)Y(x)F(2+x) (x=0.05,0.1) were altered in a large scale. LD-pumped true CW laser has been demonstrated in the crystals. The slope efficiency up to 43.5% in 0.43% Nd:Sr0.95Y0.05F2.05 was achieved. The system is a promising candidate for highly efficient lasers.

Antibiotic resistance monitoring in Vibrio spp. isolated from rearing environment and intestines of abalone Haliotis diversicolor

546 Vibrio isolates from rearing seawater (292 strains) and intestines of abalone (254 strains) were tested to ten antibiotics using Kirby-Bauer diffusion method. Resistant rates of abalone-derived Vibrio isolates to chloramphenicol (C), enrofloxacin (ENX) and norfloxacin (NOR) were <28%, whereas those from seawater showed large fluctuations in resistance to each of the tested antibiotics. Many strains showed higher resistant rates (>40%) to kanamycin (KNA), furazolidone (F), tetracycline (TE), gentamicin (GM) and rifampin (RA). 332 isolates from seawater (n=258) and abalone (n=74) were resistant to more than three antibiotics. Peaked resistant rates of seawater-derived isolates to multiple antibiotics were overlapped in May and August. Statistical analysis showed that pH had an important effect on resistant rates of abalone-derived Vibrio isolates to RA, NOR, and ENX. Salinity and dissolved oxygen were negatively correlated with resistant rates of seawater-derived Vibrio isolates to KNA, RA, and PG.

Association between the -607 C > A polymorphism in interleukin-18 gene promoter with gastrointestinal cancer risk: a meta-analysis

The interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene -607 C/A polymorphism has been reported to be associated with gastrointestinal cancer, but there are conflicting results from previous studies on said topic. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis is to derive a more precise estimation of the association between the -607 C/A polymorphism in the IL-18 gene and gastrointestinal cancer risk. Literature searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases were carried out in 2015. Five studies were assessed with a total of 1618 cases and 1155 healthy controls. When results from all eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis, we found significant association between the IL-18 gene -607 C/A polymorphism and gastrointestinal cancer risk (CC vs AA: OR = 0.93, 95%CI = 0.72- 1.20; CC vs CA: OR = 0.76, 95%CI = 0.62-0.92; dominant model: OR = 1.25, 95%CI = 1.03-1.50; recessive model: OR = 1.09, 95%CI = 0.87-1.37). In the subgroup analysis, significant associations between the -607 C/A polymorphism and gastrointestinal cancer risk were found in esophageal cancer. However, this polymorphism did not appear to have any influence on gastric cancer and colorectal cancer susceptibility. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that the -607 C/A polymorphism in the IL-18 gene may be associated with susceptibility to esophageal cancer. Further studies with large sample sizes are needed to confirm these conclusions.

Association between a functional single nucleotide polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene and risk of child asthma

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes synaptic remodeling and modulates the function of other neurotransmitters. Allergic inflammation triggers neuronal dysfunction and structural changes in the airways. Genetic polymorphisms in functional regions of the BDNF gene have a plausible role in modulating the risk of child asthma (CA). This study examined the potential association between CA and three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in BDNF (rs2030323, rs6265, and rs16917204 in the promoter, exon 4, and 3'-untranslated regions, respectively). The study was conducted in 350 children with asthma and 356 healthy controls. The genotype and allele frequencies and difference between groups were analyzed using HaploView 4.0 and SPSS 20.0 software platforms. The analysis revealed a strong association between the rs6265 genotype distribution and CA. The frequency of the G allele was significantly higher in CA patients than in healthy controls (P = 0.0007, odds ratio = 1.323, 95% confidence interval = 1.073-1.632). Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed between rs16917204 and rs6265. A significantly higher number of G-G haplotypes were observed in CA patients than in controls (P = 0.024 after Bonferroni correction), while the G-A haplotypes were more significant in controls (P = 0.013 after Bonferroni correction). This suggested that BDNF gene polymorphisms confer susceptibility to CA, and also support the notion that BDNF dysfunction is involved in the pathophysiological process of CA.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with growth traits in Jinghai yellow chickens

Body weight is one of the most important economic traits in the poultry industry. In the present study, a custom SNP Beadchip was used to analyze the association between those 15 SNPs and 12 growth traits of Jinghai yellow chickens, and other important genetic parameters were also calculated and analyzed. The results indicated that nine of the 15 SNPs were associated with growth traits in Jinghai yellow chickens (P < 0.05), and the identified SNPs were also in linkage disequilibrium. Five of the nine identified SNPs were mainly associated with all of the growth traits, which indicated that those five SNPs might have significant influence on Jinghai yellow chicken growth traits. Polymorphism information content (PIC) analyses indicated that five of the nine SNPs exhibited moderate polymorphism (0.25 < PIC < 0.5), which reflected intermediate genetic diversity. Six candidate genes surrounding the significant SNPs were obtained and subjected to Gene Ontology annotation analyses and pathway analyses. The functions of six important candidate genes (SETDB2, ATP7B, INTS6, KPNA3, DLEU7, and FOXO1A) were discussed. The present study provided basic data for marker-assisted selection in Jinghai yellow chickens.

Genome-wide association study of growth traits in the Jinghai Yellow chicken

Growth is one of the most economically important traits in the poultry industry. In this study, we identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and candidate genes associated with growth traits of the Jinghai Yellow chicken. Genome-wide association studies were conducted using the Illumina 60 K SNP Chicken array to genotype 400 Jinghai Yellow chickens. For each bird, the body weights at hatching and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, and 16 weeks were recorded. The SNPs that were significantly associated with the growth traits were identified using the general linear regression model. The results revealed a total of 18 SNPs that reached Bonferroni genome-wide significance (P < 1.80E-6). Three proximal genes (BTRC, NLK, and NF1) were found to participate in the Wnt-signaling pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Haplotype analysis identified 19 significant haplotypes and identified a region 152.4-156.3M on GGA1 affecting 3 growth traits (BW4, BW14, and BW16). These results may help identify the exact locations of body weight quantitative trait loci on a genome level and indicate variants that can be used for subsequent investigations for Jinghai Yellow chicken.