Precision Measurement of the Boron to Carbon Flux Ratio in Cosmic Rays from 1.9 GV to 2.6 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

Knowledge of the rigidity dependence of the boron to carbon flux ratio (B/C) is important in understanding the propagation of cosmic rays. The precise measurement of the B/C ratio from 1.9 GV to 2.6 TV, based on 2.3 million boron and 8.3 million carbon nuclei collected by AMS during the first 5 years of operation, is presented. The detailed variation with rigidity of the B/C spectral index is reported for the first time. The B/C ratio does not show any significant structures in contrast to many cosmic ray models that require such structures at high rigidities. Remarkably, above 65 GV, the B/C ratio is well described by a single power law R^{Δ} with index Δ=-0.333±0.014(fit)±0.005(syst), in good agreement with the Kolmogorov theory of turbulence which predicts Δ=-1/3 asymptotically.

[Effect of Six1,TGF-β,VEGF-C that promoting tumor lymphangiogenesis in human laryngeal carcinoma xenografts in nude mice]

Objective:To research the effect of Six1,TGF-β,VEGF-C that promoting tumor lymphangiogenesis in human laryngeal carcinoma xenografts in nude mice. Method:Technology of RNA interference was used for silencing Six1 and TGF-β genes expression in laryngeal squamous cell, preparation Six1-targeting and TGF-β-targeting siRNA for transfecting into laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, sieve out positive clone cell and amplify. Preparing bearing cancer mice, the mice were divided into five groups, group A (untransfected),group B(empty vector), group C(Six1-siRNA),group D(TGF-β-siRNA),group E(Six1+TGF-β-siRNA). 6-12mm when the tumor has grown, the mice were sacrificed by cervical. The size of each tumor and metastasis were observed and recorded.The protein expression of Six1,TGF-β and VEGF-C was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.The mRNA of Six1,TGF-β and VEGF-C was determined by RT-PCR. Result:The average tumor volume and the number of metastasis cases in group B have no statistically significant compared with group A. The average tumor volume in group C, group D and group E has no significantly reduced, but there is a clear reduction of the number of metastasis cases compared with group A. The average tumor volume and number of metastasis cases in group E has no significantly reduced compared with group C and group D. Both protein and mRNA expression of Six1, TGF-β and VEGF-C in group B had no significant difference compared with group A. In group C, group D and group E,both protein and mRNA expression of VEGF-C was decreased,difference has statistically significant compared with group A. Both protein and mRNA expression of VEGF-C in group E had no significant difference compared with group C and group D. Conclusion:Both Six1 and TGF-β can mediate tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis by mediate the expression of VEGF-C. Suggest that Six1,TGF-β might be a potential therapeutic target for preventing lymph node metastasis of tumor.

A chemical-structural model for coherent martensite/parent interface in Mn-based antiferromagnetic shape memory alloys

The martensite/parent coherent interface of Mn-based shape memory alloys (SMAs) is a significant part in the research of their martensitic transformation, reversible shape memory effect and magnetic shape memory effect. In the present work, a chemical-structural model was proposed to calculate the martensite/parent coherent interfacial energy of Mn-X (X = Cu, Fe) alloys. In this model, the coherent heterophase interfacial energy consists of chemical and structural parts. Resulting from the formation process of the heterophase interface, the chemical interfacial energy is expressed as the incremental value of bond energy, while the structural part is obtained by calculating the interfacial strain energy. The results show that the structural interfacial energy plays the chief role in the total interfacial energy, and the total interfacial energy decreases as the temperature rises when the alloy composition is fixed. In addition, the preferred orientation has noteworthy influence on the total interfacial energy. Using the proposed model, interfacial energy, interfacial entropy, interfacial enthalpy and interfacial heat capacity are found to be correlated with temperature and interface preferred orientation. Furthermore, the influences of alloy composition, modulus softening, and the index of the habit plane on the results were discussed.

[Reliability and validity of Parkinson's disease sleep scale-Chinese version in the south west of China]

Objective: To evaluate the reliability and validity of Parkinson's disease sleep scale-Chinese version (CPDSS) through a study of a large PD population in southwest China, and to explore the prevalence and characteristics of sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients from southwest China. Methods: A total of 544 PD patients and 220 control subjects were enrolled in our study. Demographic data, CPDSS, ESS, PDQ39, HAMD and H-Y stage were assessed in all subjects. Statistical description, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), Spearman rank correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analyses. Result: The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for CPDSS was 0.79, ICC of the total scale was 0.94 and ICC of each item ranged from 0.73 to 0.97. The factor analysis yielded a five-factor solution, which explained 63.4% of the total variance. Total and each item scores of CPDSS in PD patients were lower than those in healthy controls. 69.3% of PD patients had sleep disorder, while prevalence in the control group was only 29.6%. Negative correlation was found between CPDSS and ESS. Daytime sleepiness was the most common factor (35.9%) leading to sleep disorders. The sleep disorders of PD patients in Southwest China were significantly related with the course of disease, the severity of disease, the quality of life, depression, cognitive level and motor symptoms. Conclusion: CPDSS has good feasibility, reliability and validity in PD population from southwest China. CPDSS is considered as an effective tool for the assessment of sleep disorder in PD patients.

[A study on the evaluation of anticoagulation status comparing of CHADS2 versus CHA2DS2-VASc scores in patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation in Xinjiang area]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the current status of anticoagulation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF)in Xinjiang, and compare the two scoring systems(CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores) in determining the risk of strokes in AF patients in Xinjiang.

METHODS

Subjects with AF were collected by searching the electronic and paper medical records from 35 hospitals in Xinjiang area during October 2013 to October 2014, and followed up for the incident strokes after 10 to 12 months.

RESULTS

Totally, 5 953 AF patients were enrolled in the study with the age of (67.9±12.0) years old, and men to women ratio of 1.44. Most patients were in age groups of 60-69 (23.92%) and 70-79 years (37.81%). Among patients with a CHADS2 score of 1 or less, the CHA2DS2-VASc scores of these subjects ranged from 0 to 3. After 10 to 12 months of follow-up, 22 patients developed new strokes. Only 30.79% patients ( n=1 460) received the anticoagulation treatment among those (n=4 742) who need to be treated with anticoagulation drugs. In patients receiving anticoagulant therapy, 1 162 patients were treated with warfarin, and 298 patients with new oral anticoagulant drugs.Totally 1 110 patients treated with warfarin were monitored with international normalized ratio (INR). The median INR was 1.14 with only 97 cases meeting the recommended INR ranging of 2.0-3.0 in the guidelines. The compliance rate was 8.74%.

CONCLUSIONS

The current status of anticoagulation for AF in Xinjiang area is characterized by "low anticoagulation rate" and "low compliance rate". The CHA2DS2-VASc score is more suitable for predicting the risk of strokes in patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation in Xinjiang area.

Antiproton Flux, Antiproton-to-Proton Flux Ratio, and Properties of Elementary Particle Fluxes in Primary Cosmic Rays Measured with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

A precision measurement by AMS of the antiproton flux and the antiproton-to-proton flux ratio in primary cosmic rays in the absolute rigidity range from 1 to 450 GV is presented based on 3.49×10^{5} antiproton events and 2.42×10^{9} proton events. The fluxes and flux ratios of charged elementary particles in cosmic rays are also presented. In the absolute rigidity range ∼60 to ∼500  GV, the antiproton p[over ¯], proton p, and positron e^{+} fluxes are found to have nearly identical rigidity dependence and the electron e^{-} flux exhibits a different rigidity dependence. Below 60 GV, the (p[over ¯]/p), (p[over ¯]/e^{+}), and (p/e^{+}) flux ratios each reaches a maximum. From ∼60 to ∼500  GV, the (p[over ¯]/p), (p[over ¯]/e^{+}), and (p/e^{+}) flux ratios show no rigidity dependence. These are new observations of the properties of elementary particles in the cosmos.

Caring burden of REM sleep behavior disorder - spouses' health and marital relationship

OBJECTIVES

Idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is noxious due to the high prevalence of sleep-related injuries to patients and their bed-partners. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of patients' RBD symptoms on their spouses, in terms of the quality of sleep, and physical, mental and marital aspects.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study comparing spouses of iRBD patients to the spouses of the age-and-sex-matched OSAS patients.

RESULTS

40 iRBD patients and their spouses (patients' age 66.6 ± 9.1, male 90%; spouses' age 62.9 ± 7.5), and 35 OSAS patients and their spouses (patients' age 67.8 ± 8.7 years old, male 80%; spouses' age 64.1 ± 9.1) were recruited. Almost all iRBD spouses (90%) reported disturbances by the nocturnal RBD behavioral symptoms of their bedpartners. About two-thirds (62.5%, N = 25) of the iRBD spouses reported a history of being injured during sleep. Spouses of both iRBD and OSAS patients reported a comparably high prevalence of insomnia, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Spouses of iRBD patients, however, reported more impaired quality of life and marital relationship. Nearly two-thirds of RBD couples continued co-sleeping, despite the risk of sleep-related injuries and nocturnal disturbances.

CONCLUSIONS

Both iRBD and OSAS spouses exhibited a high prevalence of insomnia and mood problems. In particular, iRBD significantly and negatively affect the spouses' quality of life and the marital relationship. Optimization of iRBD treatment, proper diagnosis, and management of sleep and mental health aspects of spouses may help to lessen the caring burden.

[Molecular mechanisms of resistance to phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase inhibitors in triple-negative breast cancer cells]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the molecular mechanisms of resistance to phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells.

METHODS

HCC70 cells (TNBC) were transfected with siFZD7, siWANT5B or siGSK3 using lipofectamine 2000 transfection reagent. The expression levels of key proteins of WNT/β-catenin and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways were determined by Western blot analysis. After HCC70, MCF-7 (ER-positive) and SK-BR3 (HER2-positive) cells were treated with PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors, the inhibition rates of cell proliferation were measured by MTT assay, and half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were calculated. The altered activities of WNT/β-catenin and PI3K/AKT/mTOR proteins were detected by Western blot and luciferase report gene assay, respectively. The nuclear translocation of β-catenin protein was examined by immunofluorescence assay. Xenograft nude mouse model was used to evaluate the tumorigenicity of breast cancer cells treated with BKM120 in vivo. The expression levels of p-LRP6, p-4EBP1 and β-catenin proteins in the tumor tissues were determined by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

The expression levels of FZD7, WANT5B and GSK3 proteins were significantly reduced in the HCC70 cells transfected with the target siRNAs. Meanwhile, the activity of WNT/β-catenin was enhanced and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was inhibited. PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors suppressed MCF-7 and SK-BR3 cell proliferation. The IC50 of GDC-094, BKM120, XL147, perifosine, everolimus, and BEZ235 in MCF-7 cells were 0.46 mmol/L, 1.44 mmol/L, 4.34 mmol/L, 11.35 μmol/L, 53.71 μmol/L and 12.87 μmol/L respectively, and 0.63 mmol/L, 0.58 mmol/L, 3.74 mmol/L, 13.22 μmol/L, 60.00 μmol/L and 11.38 μmol/L in the SK-BR3 cells, respectively. The results of luciferase report gene assay showed that the luciferase activities in HCC70, MCF-7 and SK-BR3 cells treated with BKM120 were 1.75±0.05, 1.13±0.02 and 0.43±0.01, respectively. The luciferase activities in HCC70 and SK-BR3 cells were significantly different from that of the control cells (1.00±0.02, P<0.05). The immunohistochemical analysis showed that BKM120 inhibited mTOR activity, and the enhanced WNT/β-catenin activity reversed the phenotype of inhibitory mTOR induced by BKM120. BKM120 suppressed the tumorigenic ability of MCF-7 and SK-BR3 cells in vivo, but had no effect on cultured HCC70 cells. The immunohistochemical analysis showed nuclear translocation of β-catenin protein and increased expression level of p-LRP-6 protein in transplanted tumor tissues from HCC70 cells treated with BKM120, increased the level of p-LRP-6 protein, and no changes of p-4EBP1 protein expression. However, no nuclear translocation of β-catenin protein and no decrease of p-LRP6 and p-4EBP1 protein levels in the transplanted tumor tissue of MCF-7 cells after treatment with BKM120.

CONCLUSIONS

The triple-negative breast cancer HCC70 cells have drugs-resistance to PI3K inhibitors. The WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway may regulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, therefore, inducing the drug-resistance of TNBC cells to PI3K inhibitors.

[A multi-center clinical observation on safety and efficacy of a plasma derived coagulator factor Ⅷ for treatment of patients with hemophilia A]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of homemade plasma derived coagulation factor Ⅷ in patients with hemophilia A.

METHODS

Patients with congenital hemophilia A who met the inclusive and exclusive criteria were enrolled in the study after informed consent. The doses of factor Ⅷ were calculated according to the weight, disease severity etc. FⅧ activity and infusion efficacy value at 10 min and 60 min after infusion were recorded, as well as adverse events and validity rating according to the improvement of clinical syndromes. Viral infections including HBV, HCV, HIV and FⅧ inhibitor were determined after 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS

A total of 65 patients were enrolled in this study, all of whom were evaluable for drug safety. Treatment efficacy was evaluated in 60 patients and 57 cases completed the trial finally. In this 57 cases, most (52/57) subjects were of middle and severe hemophilia A mainly characterized by joint bleeding. Overall response rate of acute bleeding events was classified as "excellent" (70.00%) or "better" (30.00%). The non-responder was 0. FⅧ activity and infusion efficiency value of first administration after 10 min and 60 min improved significantly [10 min: (123.66±47.54)%; 60 min: (108.05±43.24)%]. The incidence of adverse events was 1.54%. Neither allergic reaction nor reactivation of HBV, HCV, HIV was detected after treatment of 3 and 6 months. No FⅧ inhibitor negative patients converted to positive during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This homemade plasma derived coagulation factor Ⅷ is safe and effective for the treatment of acute bleeding in patients with hemophilia A.

Association between the interleukin 4 gene -590C>T promoter polymorphism and asthma in Xinjiang Uighur children

We investigated the association between the interleukin 4 gene (IL-4) -590C>T polymorphism and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) values, immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and susceptibility to asthma in Uighur children. IL-4 -590C>T frequencies were analyzed in 38 bronchial asthmatic patients and 35 non-asthmatic controls. Polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing were applied to determine the residue at position -590 of IL-4. Total serum IgE levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while lung function was examined by professionals. There were significant differences in the distribution of IL-4 -590C>T genotypes and alleles between patient and control groups (genotypes: chi-square = 11.476, P < 0.05; alleles: chi-square = 14.572, P < 0.05). Frequencies of CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 21, 29, and 50% among patients, and 49, 37, and 14% among controls, respectively, indicating that the T allele was significantly more frequent in the asthma group than in the control group. Total serum IgE levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) and FEV1 values were significantly lower (F = 13.294, P < 0.05) in patients than in control subjects of the same genotype. In conclusion, the IL-4 -590C>T polymorphism is related to bronchial asthma in Uighur children, and the T allele may constitute a susceptibility factor in this group. Furthermore, this genetic variant can result in raised IgE levels and decreased FEV1 values, suggesting that both factors are associated with bronchial asthma in Uighur children.

The relevance of Tim-3 polymorphisms and F protein to the outcomes of HCV infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major causes of liver inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (Tim-3) polymorphisms and the alternate reading frame protein (F protein) with the outcomes of HCV infection. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs10053538, rs12186731, and rs13170556) of Tim-3 were genotyped in this study, which included 203 healthy controls, 558 hepatitis C anti-F-positive patients, and 163 hepatitis C anti-F-negative patients. The results revealed that the rs12186731 CT and rs13170556 TC and CC genotypes were significantly less frequent in the anti-F-positive patients [odds ratio (OR) = 0.54, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.35-0.83, p = 0.005; OR = 0.26, 95 % CI = 0.18-0.39, p < 0.001; and OR = 0.19, 95 % CI = 0.10-0.35, p < 0.001, respectively), and the rs13170556 TC genotype was more frequent in the chronic HCV (CHC) patients (OR = 1.70, 95 % CI = 1.20-2.40, p = 0.002). The combined analysis of the rs12186731 CT and rs13170556 TC/CC genotypes revealed a locus-dosage protective effect in the anti-F-positive patients (OR = 0.22, 95 % CI = 0.14-0.33, p trend < 0.001). Stratified analyses revealed that the frequencies of the rs12186731 (CT + TT) genotypes were significantly lower in the older (OR = 0.31, 95 % CI = 0.15-0.65, p = 0.002) and female (OR = 0.30, 95 % CI = 0.17-0.52, p < 0.001) subgroups, and rs13170556 (TC + CC) genotypes exhibited the same effect in all subgroups (all p < 0.001) in the anti-F antibody generations. Moreover, the rs13170556 (TC + CC) genotypes were significantly more frequent in the younger (OR = 1.86, 95 % CI = 1.18-2.94, p = 0.007) and female (OR = 2.38, 95 % CI = 1.48-3.83, p < 0.001) subgroups of CHC patients. These findings suggest that the rs12186731 CT and rs13170556 TC/CC genotypes of Tim-3 provide potential protective effects with the F protein in the outcomes of HCV infection and that these effects are related to sex and age.

Impact of tillage erosion on water erosion in a hilly landscape

Little has been known of the interaction between tillage erosion and water erosion, while the two erosion processes was independently studied. Can tillage-induced soil redistribution lead to exaggerated (or retarded) runoff flow and sediment concentrations in steeply sloping fields? A series of simulated tillage and artificial rainfall events were applied to rectangular runoff plots (2m×8m) with a slope of 15° to examine the impacts of tillage erosion intensities on water erosion in the Yangtze Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China. Mean flow velocity, effective/critical shear stress, and soil erodibility factor K were calculated to analyze the differences in hydrodynamic characteristics induced by tillage. Our experimental results suggest that mean runoff rates were 2.26, 1.19, and 0.65Lmin(-1) and that mean soil detachment rates were 1.53, 1.01, and 0.61gm(-2)min(-1) during the 70-min simulated rainfall events for 52-, 31-, and 10-year tillage, respectively. A significant difference (P<0.05) in cumulative detachment amounts was found among different tillage intensities. Compared with the soil flux of 0kgm(-1), cumulative detachment amounts for the soil fluxes of 9.86 and 24.72kgm(-1) increased by 40.02% and 100.94%, respectively, during the 30-min rainfall event. The results imply that soil and water losses tended to increase with increasing tillage intensity. A significant difference in mean flow velocity occurred near the upper and lower slope boundaries of the field, while significant differences (P<0.05) in runoff depth and effective shear stress were observed among different slope positions. Soil erodibility factor K for the soil fluxes of 9.86 and 24.72kgm(-1) were 2.40 and 5.11 times higher, respectively, than that for the soil flux of 0kgm(-1). As tillage intensity increased, critical shear stress trended to gradually decrease for all soil fluxes. Our results indicate that tillage erosion increases soil erodibility and delivers the soil for water erosion in sloping fields, accelerating water erosion.

[Association between OR2T3 gene and pulmonary arterial hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the pathogenic genes of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and validate the association between OR2T3 gene and PAH.

METHODS

Whole exome sequencing was performed in four patients and one healthy person as control in two pulmonary arterial hypertension pedigree; patient-specific variations were screened by bioinformatics methods and comparison between groups. To further analyze the association between these variations and PAH, Sanger sequencing was used to analyze the genotype of patient-specific variations of 30 patients with idiopathic PAH, 90 healthy people and 30 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

RESULTS

The preliminary findings of whole exome sequencing were 57 variations may be associated with PAH; Among them, there were 6 AG heterozygotes due to OR2T3rs148748995 in the 30 idiopathic PAH patients, while no G allele carrier was found in other healthy people of two pulmonary arterial hypertension pedigree (AⅠ-1, AⅡ-3, BⅡ-1) and 90 normal control, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The variation also didn't exist in 30 chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients.

CONCLUSION

OR2T3 gene may be the pathogenic gene of PAH and OR2T3rs148748995 could have a role in the development of PAH.

[A new device for removing Shang ring after circumcision ( a report of 257 cases)]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical value of a new device designed by ourselves for removing the disposable circumcision device (Shang ring).

METHODS

There were 264 patients undergoing Shang ring circumcision from August 2013 to June 2015. A total of 7 cases were lost follow-up and were excluded. The new device was applied for removing Shang ring in 150 patients after operation in Experimental group, and that was not applied in 107 cases in Control group. Values of basic demographic data, time for removing Shang ring, pain score, scar satisfaction, surgical satisfaction and complications were recorded and compared.

RESULTS

Time for removing Shang ring and pain score in Experimental group and Control group was 61.8±9.9 vs 127.4±41.6 s, 4.1±1.3 vs 6.8±1.4, respectively (both P<0.05). Satisfaction of surgery, percentage of willing to recommend Shang ring surgery to others in Experiment group and Control group was 9.3±0.7 vs 7.5±1.3, and 95.3% vs 79.4%, respectively (both P<0.05). Surgical satisfaction was correlated with pain score, time of removing Shang ring and appearance of incision scar (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The new device for removing the Shang ring could remove the ring rapidly, alleviate pain and improve surgical satisfaction.

Desmoglein 4 diversity and correlation analysis with coat color in goat

Desmoglein 4 (DSG4) has an important role in the development of wool traits in domestic animals. The full-length DSG4 gene, which contains 3918 bp, a complete open-reading-frame, and encodes a 1040-amino acid protein, was amplified from Liaoning cashmere goat. The sequence was compared with that of DSG4 from other animals and the results show that the DSG4 coding region is consistent with interspecies conservation. Thirteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in a highly variable region of DSG4, and one SNP (M-1, G>T) was significantly correlated with white and black coat color in goat. Haplotype distribution of the highly variable region of DSG4 was assessed in 179 individuals from seven goat breeds to investigate its association with coat color and its differentiation among populations. However, the lack of a signature result indicates DGS4 haplotypes related with the color of goat coat.

Overexpression of OsPGIP1 Enhances Rice Resistance to Sheath Blight

Rice sheath blight (SB), caused by necrotrophic pathogen Rhizoctonia solani, is one of the most destructive rice diseases, and no major resistance genes are available. Polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins (PGIP) are extracellular leucine-rich repeat proteins and play important roles in plant defense against different pathogenic fungi by counteracting secreted fungal polygalacturonases (PG). However, the role of PGIP in conferring resistance to rice SB remains to be thoroughly investigated. Here, we showed that OsPGIP1 is capable of inhibiting PG derived from R. solani. Our real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction results indicated that resistant rice 'YSBR1' and 'Jasmine 85' express significantly higher levels of OsPGIP1 than susceptible 'Lemont'. Our results also show that OsPGIP1 is most highly expressed at the late tillering stage in the sheath of YSBR1, coinciding with the critical stage of SB development in field. More importantly, the OsPGIP1 level is highly elevated by inoculation with R. solani in resistant cultivars but not in susceptible Lemont. Overexpression of OsPGIP1 significantly increased rice resistance to SB and inhibited tissue degradation caused by R. solani-secreted PG. Furthermore, OsPGIP1 overexpression did not affect rice agronomic traits or yield components. Together, our results not only demonstrate the important role of OsPGIP1 in combatting the rice SB disease but also provide a new avenue to the improvement of rice SB resistance by manipulating an endogenous gene.

Cloning, Prokaryotic Expression and Purification of CpfS1 Gene from Arabidopsis Thaliana

CpfS1 Gene cloned from arabidopsis thaliana was expressed in Escherichia coli DH5α. A cDNA fragment about 320 bp was amplified from the total RNA of arabidopsis thaliana seeds by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) with a pair of specific primers based on the sequences of the AtCpfS1 gene. The recombinant prokaryotic expression vector pET30a-AtCpfS1 was constructed by inserting the cDNA fragment encoding the mature peptide into the prokaryotic expression vector pET30a, and then transformed into E. coli DH5α. Sequence analysis showed that the fragment length was 346 bp containing a full coding region of 332 bp encoding 76 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 21.5 kD. The SDS-PAGE electrophoresis analysis showed that the best expression was induced by 21oC and 3.6×10-3 mol/L IPTG, under which a relative molecular weight of 82.5 kD recombinant protein was produced. The nickel chelating resin was used to purify the protein in size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and the results indicated that AtCpfS1 protein was present in the form of tetramer.

Linker length affects expression and bioactivity of the onconase fusion protein in Pichia pastoris

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of linker length on the expression and biological activity of recombinant protein onconase (ONC) in fusion with human serum albumin (HSA) in Pichia pastoris. Four flexible linkers with different lengths namely Linker L0, L1: (GGGGS)1, L2: (GGGGS)2, and L3:(GGGGS)3 were inserted into the fusion gene and referred to as HSA-n-ONC, where N = 0, 5, 10, or 15. The sequence of the fusion gene HSA-ONC was designed based on the GC content and codon bias in P. pastoris; the signal peptide of albumin was used as the secretion signal. Gene sequences coding for the fusion protein with different linkers were inserted into pPICZα-A to form recombinant plasmids pPICZα-A/HSA-n-ONC, which were then transformed into P. pastoris X-33 for protein expression. Ideal conditions for expression of the fusion proteins were optimized at a small scale, using shake flasks before proceeding to mass production in 10-L fermenters. The recombinant fusion proteins were purified by aqueous two-phase extraction coupled with DEAE anion exchange chromatography, and their cytotoxic effect on the tumor cell was evaluated by the sulforhodamine B assay. The results showed that the expressed amount of fusion proteins had no significant relationship with the length of different linkers and rHSA-0-ONC had no cytotoxic effect on the tumor cells. While rHSA-5-ONC and rHSA-10-ONC had a weak cytotoxic effect, rHSA-15-ONC could kill various tumor cells in vitro. In summary, the biological activity of the fusion protein gradually improved with increasing length of the linker.

Precision Measurement of the Helium Flux in Primary Cosmic Rays of Rigidities 1.9 GV to 3 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

Knowledge of the precise rigidity dependence of the helium flux is important in understanding the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays. A precise measurement of the helium flux in primary cosmic rays with rigidity (momentum/charge) from 1.9 GV to 3 TV based on 50 million events is presented and compared to the proton flux. The detailed variation with rigidity of the helium flux spectral index is presented for the first time. The spectral index progressively hardens at rigidities larger than 100 GV. The rigidity dependence of the helium flux spectral index is similar to that of the proton spectral index though the magnitudes are different. Remarkably, the spectral index of the proton to helium flux ratio increases with rigidity up to 45 GV and then becomes constant; the flux ratio above 45 GV is well described by a single power law.

Brief Note Low diversity of the major histocompatibility complex class II DRA gene in domestic goats (Capra hircus) in Southern China

DRA encodes the alpha chain of the DR heterodimer, is closely linked to DRB and is considered almost monomorphic in major histocompatibility complex region. In this study, we identified the exon 2 of DRA to evaluate the immunogenetic diversity of Chinese south indigenous goat. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in an untranslated region and one synonymous substitution in coding region were identified. These data suggest that high immunodiversity in native Chinese population.

Arabidopsis thaliana SEPALLATA3 protein prokaryotic expression and purification

SEPALLATA3 (SEP3) can be attributed to E class gene of the ABCE model of floral organ development. In order to reveal how SEP3 proteins form polymers, and the relationship between the polymers and their biological functions, the experiments of Arabidopsis thaliana AtSEP3 protein soluble expression in vitro were performed to construct a vector of prokaryotic expression, and investigate induced expression of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli cells. The protein soluble expression was analyzed through the aspects of different protein domains, induction time, induction temperature, etc. Different structural domains and expression conditions were screened, and 0.1% IPTG inducing at 22 oC for 15 h was estimated as an optimal expression strategy. The nickel chelating resin was used to purify the protein in size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and the results indicated that AtSEP3 protein was present in the form of tetramer.

Precision Measurement of the Proton Flux in Primary Cosmic Rays from Rigidity 1 GV to 1.8 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

A precise measurement of the proton flux in primary cosmic rays with rigidity (momentum/charge) from 1 GV to 1.8 TV is presented based on 300 million events. Knowledge of the rigidity dependence of the proton flux is important in understanding the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays. We present the detailed variation with rigidity of the flux spectral index for the first time. The spectral index progressively hardens at high rigidities.

TBX21 polymorphisms are associated with virus persistence in hepatitis C virus infection patients from a high-risk Chinese population

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease and the varied outcomes of the infection depend on both viral and host factors. We have demonstrated that the HCV alternate reading frame protein (F protein) is related to Th1/Th2 bias which is involved in virus persistence in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that genetic variants of TBX21 (T cell specific T-box transcription factor) were associated with the outcomes of HCV infection and F protein generation. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs17250932, rs2074190, rs4794067) in the TBX21 gene were genotyped in a case-control study in a cohort of a high-risk group, including 354 healthy controls and 747 CHC patients (190 anti-F protein antibody seronegative patients and 557 anti-F protein antibody seropositive patients). Results showed that the rs4794067 C allele in the TBX21 promoter was significantly more common in CHC patients (OR = 1.335, 95% CI = 1.058-1.684, P = 0.015), exceptionally in anti-F protein seropositive patients (OR = 1.547, 95% CI = 1.140-2.101, P = 0.005), compared with healthy controls. And the risk effect was also significantly high in patients with HCV 1b genotype and mild fibrosis (P = 0.021, P = 0.010, respectively). Compared with the most frequent haplotype TAT, haplotype analysis showed that the distribution of TAC was significantly different between the chronic HCV carrier group and the healthy group, and so was the anti-F antibody seronegativity group and the anti-F antibody seronegativity group (all P < 0.001). Our results suggested that TBX21 variants may be involved in the etiology of this disease.