Genetic diversity and paternal origin of domestic donkeys

Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate genetic diversity, origins and domestication of donkey using autosomal microsatellites and the mitochondrial genome, whereas the male-specific region of the Y chromosome of modern donkeys is largely uncharacterized. In the current study, 14 published equine Y chromosome-specific microsatellites (Y-STR) were investigated in 395 male donkey samples from China, Egypt, Spain and Peru using fluorescent labeled microsatellite markers. The results showed that seven Y-STRs-EcaYP9, EcaYM2, EcaYE2, EcaYE3, EcaYNO1, EcaYNO2 and EcaYNO4-were male specific and polymorphic, showing two to eight alleles in the donkeys studied. A total of 21 haplotypes corresponding to three haplogroups were identified, indicating three independent patrilines in domestic donkey. These markers are useful for the study the Y-chromosome diversity and population genetics of donkeys in Africa, Europe, South America and China.

Antiviral activity of shikonin ester derivative PMM-034 against enterovirus 71 in vitro

Human enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the major causative agent of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), particularly in infants and children below 4 years of age. Shikonin is a bioactive compound with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial activities derived from the roots of the Chinese medicinal herb Lithospermum erythrorhizon. This study aimed to examine the antiviral activity of PMM-034, a shikonin ester derivative, against EV71 in rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells. Cytotoxicity of PMM-034 on RD cells was determined using WST-1 assay. Dose- and time-dependent effects of PMM-034 on EV71 replication in RD cells were determined using plaque reduction assay. mRNA expression levels of EV71/VP1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) were determined by real-time RT-PCR, and EV71/VP1 and phospho-p65 protein expressions were determined by western blot analysis. PMM-034 exhibited only weak cytotoxicity against RD cells. However, PMM-034 exhibited significant antiviral activity against EV71 in RD cells with 50% inhibitory concentration of 2.31 μg/mL. The VP1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced in cells treated with PMM-034. Furthermore, relative mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α significantly decreased in the cells treated with PMM-034, while the phospho-p65 protein expression was also significantly lower in the treated cells. These results indicated that PMM-034 suppressed the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines in RD cells, exhibiting antiviral activity against EV71, as evidenced by the reduced VP1 mRNA and protein levels in PMM-034-treated cells. Thus, PMM-034 is a promising candidate for further development as an EV71 inhibitor.

Diffusion of tellurium at nickel grain boundaries: a first-principles study

The atomic structures, stabilities, segregation behaviors and diffusion barriers of Te are studied for the bulk, surfaces and four kinds of GBs of nickel. Te behavior is found to be very sensitive to the GB type. The effect of strain on diffusion is strong for different GBs.

Refractive outcome of combined phacoemulsification and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation

PURPOSE

To compare the refractive outcome of eyes that underwent phacoemulsification combined with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (phaco-ECP) with the eyes that underwent phacoemulsification alone.

METHODS

A retrospective case series review of 103 consecutive eyes that underwent phaco-ECP and 62 eyes that underwent phacoemulsification between January 2006 and August 2012 was conducted. Post-operative refractive outcomes were obtained by subjective refraction or autorefraction. Demographic data, best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, number of glaucoma agents and mean deviation of the Humphrey visual field test (MD) were also analysed.

RESULTS

The total number of eyes included in the study was 62 eyes for the phaco-ECP group and 62 eyes for the control group who underwent phacoemulsification alone. More than 90% of eyes (n = 56) in phaco-ECP group achieved post-operative refraction within ±1 dioptre (D) of the target refraction. In the control group, 100% of eyes achieved post-operative refraction within ±1D of the target refraction. When comparing the difference between the target and the actual refractive outcome between the phaco-ECP and the control group, there was no statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Refractive outcome after phaco-ECP is comparable to phacoemulsification alone. This study suggests that the intraocular lens power can be selected for cataract surgery alone and that ECP does not change the effective lens position significantly; therefore, no modification of biometry formulae is required. Phaco-ECP should be considered as an effective, safe and predictable surgical treatment option for glaucoma patients with co-existing cataract.

Phosphoglycerate mutase 1 promotes cancer cell migration independent of its metabolic activity

Phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1) is a glycolytic enzyme that coordinates glycolysis and biosynthesis to promote cancer growth via its metabolic activity. Here, we report the discovery of a non-metabolic function of PGAM1 in promoting cancer metastasis. A proteomic study identified α-smooth muscle actin (ACTA2) as a PGAM1-associated protein. PGAM1 modulated actin filaments assembly, cell motility and cancer cell migration via directly interacting with ACTA2, which was independent of its metabolic activity. The enzymatically inactive H186R mutant retained its association with ACTA2, whereas 201-210 amino acids deleted PGAM1 mutant lost the interaction with ACTA2 regardless of intact metabolic activity. Importantly, PGAM1 knockdown decreased metastatic potential of breast cancer cells in vivo and PGAM1 and ACTA2 were jointly associated with the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Together, this study provided the first evidence revealing a non-metabolic function of PGAM1 in promoting cell migration, and gained new insights into the role of PGAM1 in cancer progression.

Water sorption in thin films of high-temperature polyimides: the effect of imidization history

PMDA-ODA and BPDA-PDA polyimides in 10-50 Atrn thick films were prepared from the respective poly(amic acid) precursor by thermal imidization for 1-10 h at various temperatures over 230-400C. Their water sorption behaviours were studied in detail by gravimetry. Water sorption in both PMDA-ODA and BPDA-PDA followed a nearly Fickian process in spite of the morphological heterogeneity due to the ordered and less ordered phases. Water clustering or plasticization was very weakly evident on the water uptake versus humidity plots. Water sorption in both polyimides was highly dependent upon imidization history. Both diffusion coefficient and water uptake are decreasing functions of imidization temperature and time. This resulted mainly from the enhancement of overall crystallinity by high-temperature imidization because of their high-rT nature. The diffusion coefficient and water uptake were (1.0-3.0) x 10-9 cm2 s-1 and 0.4-4.5 wt% for PMDA-ODA and (0.9-3.0)x 10-cm2s-' and 0. I2-2.40wt%, depending on humidity,/iihidization history and film thickness. The differences between the water sorptions of the p'olyimides are interpreted by considering the differences in their morphologies and chemical affinities to water.

Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing for Comprehensive Genetic Profiling of Pharmacogenes

Phenotypic differences in drug responses have been associated with known pharmacogenomic loci, but many remain to be characterized. Therefore, we developed next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels to enable broad and unbiased inspection of genes that are involved in pharmacokinetics (PKs) and pharmacodynamics (PDs). These panels feature repetitively optimized probes to capture up to 114 PK/PD-related genes with high coverage (99.6%) and accuracy (99.9%). Sequencing of a Korean cohort (n = 376) with the panels enabled profiling of actionable variants as well as rare variants of unknown functional consequences. Notably, variants that occurred at low frequency were enriched with likely protein-damaging variants and previously unreported variants. Furthermore, in vitro evaluation of four pharmacogenes, including cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19), confirmed that many of these rare variants have considerable functional impact. The present study suggests that targeted NGS panels are readily applicable platforms to facilitate comprehensive profiling of pharmacogenes, including common but also rare variants that warrant screening for personalized medicine.

HSFY and ZNF280BY show copy number variations within 17 water buffalo populations

Recent transcriptomic analysis of the bovine Y chromosome revealed abundant presence of multi-copy protein coding gene families on the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY). Copy number variations (CNVs) of several MSY genes are closely related to semen quality and male reproduction in cattle. However, the CNVs of MSY genes in water buffalo are largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the CNVs of HSFY and ZNF280BY of 298 buffaloes from 17 populations distributed in China, Vietnam and Laos using quantitative PCR. Our results revealed that the median copy numbers of the HSFY and ZNF280BY genes were 47 (ranging from 20 to 145) and 269 (ranging from 73 to 974) respectively. In conclusion, this study indicated that HSFY and ZNF280BY showed abundant CNVs within swamp buffalo populations.

Identification of a Lineage D Betacoronavirus in Cave Nectar Bats (Eonycteris spelaea) in Singapore and an Overview of Lineage D Reservoir Ecology in SE Asian Bats

Coronaviruses are a diverse group of viruses that infect mammals and birds. Bats are reservoirs for several different coronaviruses in the Alphacoronavirus and Betacoronavirus genera. They also appear to be the natural reservoir for the ancestral viruses that generated the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus outbreaks. Here, we detected coronavirus sequences in next‐generation sequence data created from Eonycteris spelaea faeces and urine. We also screened by PCR urine samples, faecal samples and rectal swabs collected from six species of bats in Singapore between 2011 and 2014, all of which were negative. The phylogenetic analysis indicates this novel strain is most closely related to lineage D Betacoronaviruses detected in a diverse range of bat species. This is the second time that coronaviruses have been detected in cave nectar bats, but the first coronavirus sequence data generated from this species. Bat species from which this group of coronaviruses has been detected are widely distributed across SE Asia, South Asia and Southern China. They overlap geographically, often share roosting sites and have been witnessed to forage on the same plant. The addition of sequence data from this group of viruses will allow us to better understand coronavirus evolution and host specificity.

Implementing Room-Temperature Multiferroism by Exploiting Hexagonal-Orthorhombic Morphotropic Phase Coexistence in LuFeO3 Thin Films

Room-temperature multiferroism in LuFeO3 (LFO) films is demonstrated by exploiting the orthorhombic-hexagonal (o-h) morphotrophic phase coexistence. The LFO film further reveals a magnetoelectric coupling effect that is not shown in single-phase (h- or o-) LFO. The observed multiferroism is attributed to the combination of sufficient polarization from h-LFO and net magnetization from o-LFO.

Imaging transporters: Transforming diagnostic and therapeutic development

Molecular imaging allows noninvasive assessment of drug distribution across pharmacological barriers. Thus, it plays an increasingly important role in efforts to understand the interactions of molecules with membrane transporters during drug development and in clinical pharmacology. We describe established and emerging imaging modalities utilized for studying transporter expression and function. We further present examples of how molecular imaging could provide insights into the contribution of transporters to drug disposition and effects.

[Clinical value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in evaluating portal hypertension in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlation between contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), and to develop a new noninvasive method for the evaluation of portal hypertension in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

METHODS

One-hundred patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were examined by contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and the dynamic images were collected for offline analysis. The contrast arrival time was obtained in the hepatic artery (HA), portal vein (PV), and hepatic vein (HV), and HA-HV transit time (HA-HVTT) and PV-HV transit time (PV-HVTT) were calculated. At the same time, HVPG was measured within 24 hours after contrast-enhanced ultrasound, Pearson correlation analysis was performed between each parameter and HVPG, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was also used for analysis.

RESULTS

HV arrival time (HVAT), HA-HVTT, and PV-HVTT were negatively correlated with HVPG (r = -0.385, -0.409, and -0.572, respectively). The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was 0.903 for PV-HVTT < 2.5 s in judging HVPG≥ l0 mmHg in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, and the sensitivity and specificity were 74.4% and 89.5%, respectively. The AUROC was 0.861 for PV-HVTT < 1.5 s in judging HVPG≥l6 mmHg in these patients, and the sensitivity and specificity were 80.4% and 81.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

HVAT and intrahepatic transit time demonstrate negative linear correlations with HVPG in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, and among all parameters, PV-HVTT shows the strongest correlation with HVPG and can be used to determine and predict the severity of portal hypertension.