[Risk factors of clinically significant portal hypertension in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis based on hepatic venous pressure gradient]

Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate correlation between HVPG and other clinical parameters and risk factors of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) in patients with compensated cirrhosis based on hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG). Methods: 82 patients with compensated cirrhosis were prospectively recruited in the Department of Infectious Diseases of Shulan Hospital from April 2021 to August 2021. Collected the basic data of each patients, laboratory examination results, liver stiffness, gastroscopy, and HVPG. Pearson correlation analysis, univariate logistic regression analysis and multivariate regression analysis are used to find the risk factors of patients with CSPH. Results: The median HVPG of 82 patients were 9.0(8.3)mmHg. There are 31 cases (27.8%) have developed CSPH, and the correlation analysis shown that CSPH was positively correlated with total bilirubin, INR and liver stiffness, but negatively correlated with albumin, hemoglobin and platelet count. According to univariate logistic regression analysis, the factors which can affecting CSPH include male, diabetes, esophageal gastric varices, albumin, hemoglobin, INR, blood sodium, white blood cells, platelet count, liver stiffness and CTP, FIB-4, ALBI, etc. After adjusted by multivariate analysis, only platelet counts, liver stiffness, esophageal gastric varices were independent risk factors for CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Conclusion: HVPG is the gold criteria for assessment of portal hypertension. The platelet count, liver stiffness, esophageal gastric varices are independently associated with the development of CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis, which can help assess PH and give early diagnosis and treatment to improve their prognosis.

Identification and characterization of the 14-3-3 gene family in switchgrass

Members of the 14-3-3 family of proteins are conserved regulatory proteins that are widely found in eukaryotes and play crucial roles in diverse physiological processes, including responses to different stresses. Although genome-wide analysis of 14-3-3 proteins has been performed in a few plant species, it has not been performed in switchgrass. In this study, we identified 21 switchgrass 14-3-3 proteins (designated PvGF14a to PvGF14u) and examined genes for improved stress tolerance in this species. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to demonstrate that PvGF14 proteins can be divided into six groups, and that PvGF14 proteins belonging to each class exhibit similar gene structure. A phylogenetic analysis of PvGF14 proteins among switchgrass, Arabidopsis, and rice was conducted. Ten PvGF14 proteins were found to be orthologous to several abiotic stresses, and these were particularly responsive proteins in Arabidopsis and rice. Tissue-specific expression profiles showed that PvGF14a, PvGF14k, PvGF14l, and PvGF14m may play significant roles in the regulation of lignin metabolism, and that PvGF14r may participate in flower development. Taken together, these data suggest that PvGF14 proteins may be involved in various biosynthesis.

Orthogonal design in the optimization of a start codon targeted (SCoT) PCR system in Roegneria kamoji Ohwi

Roegneria kamoji Ohwi is an excellent forage grass due to its high feeding value and high resistance to some biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism has not been conducted on R. kamoji. In this study, an orthogonal L₁₆ (4⁵) design was employed to investigate the effects of five factors (Mg²⁺, dNTPs, Taq DNA polymerase, primer, and template DNA) on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the optimal SCoT-PCR system for R. kamoji. The results showed that the most suitable conditions for SCoT-PCR in R. kamoji included 1.5 mM Mg²⁺, 0.15 mM dNTPs, 1.0 U Taq DNA polymerase, 0.4 pM primer, and 40 ng template DNA. SCoT primers 39 and 41 were used to verify the stability of the optimal reaction system, and amplification bands obtained from diverse samples were found to be clear, rich, and stable in polymorphisms, indicating that this reaction system can be used for SCoT-PCR analysis of R. kamoji. We have developed a simple and rapid way to study the mutual effects of factors and to obtain positive results through the use of an orthogonal design L₁₆ (4⁵) to optimize the SCoT-PCR system. This method may provide basic information for molecular marker-assisted breeding and analyses of genetic diversity in R. kamoji.

Optimization of SCoT-PCR reaction system in Dactylis glomerata by orthogonal design

The effects of 5 factors (template DNA, Mg(2+), dNTPs, Taq DNA polymerase, and primer) on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were investigated to optimize the start codon targeted polymor-phism (SCoT)-PCR system of Dactylis glomerata L., using an orthogo-nal design L16 (4(5)). A suitable SCoT-PCR system for D. glomerata was established; the 20 μL reaction volume contained 3.0 mM Mg(2+), 0.2 mM dNTPs, 1.0 U Taq DNA polymerase, 0.2 μM primer, 20 ng tem-plate DNA, and 2 μL 10X buffer. Each factor had a different effect on the amplification reaction, and the concentration of dNTPs had the larg-est effect on the SCoT-PCR system. We tested 10 orchardgrass samples to determine and verify the stability of the reaction system. The results showed that amplified bands from diverse materials were clear, stable, and rich in polymorphisms, indicating that the optimized system was very stable.

Assessment of genetic diversity of bermudagrass germplasm from southwest China and Africa by using AFLP markers

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. dactylon (common bermudagrass) is widely distributed geographically between approximately 45°N and 45°S latitude, penetrating to approximately 53°N latitude in Europe. The extensive variation of morphological and adaptive characteristics of the taxon has been substantially documented, but information is lacking on DNA molecular variation in geographically disparate forms. The genetic diversity of 51 wild accessions of bermudagrass from southwest China (Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Tibet) and 8 African bermudagrass was analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism molecular markers. A total of 670 polymorphic bands were detected with 11 primer combinations, of which 663 (98.74%) bands were found to be polymorphic. The genetic similarity among the accessions ranged from 0.64-0.96 with an average of 0.78. All 59 wild accessions were clustered into 5 eco-geographic groups, and nearly all accessions from the same area were classified into the same group and were found to be associated with their geographical distributions. Therefore, complex geographical and ecological environments are important factors for the genetic structure and geographical distribution of C. dactylon.

Genetic diversity and relationships in cultivars of Lolium multiflorum Lam. using sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers

Sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers were used to analyze and estimate the genetic variability, level of diversity, and relationships among 20 cultivars and strains of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). Eighteen SRAP primer combinations generated 334 amplification bands, of which 298 were polymorphic. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.4715 (me10 + em1) to 0.5000 (me5 + em7), with an average of 0.4921. The genetic similarity coefficient ranged from 0.4304 to 0.8529, and coefficients between 0.65 and 0.90 accounted for 90.00%. The cluster analysis separated the accessions into five groups partly according to their germplasm resource origins.

Molecular diversity and population structure of the forage grass Hemarthria compressa (Poaceae) in south China based on SRAP markers

Hemarthria compressa is one of the most important and widely utilized forage crops in south China, owing to its high forage yield and capability of adaptation to hot and humid conditions. We examined the population structure and genetic variation within and among 12 populations of H. compressa in south China using sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers. High genetic diversity was found in these samples [percentage polymorphic bands (PPB) = 82.21%, Shannon's diversity index (I) = 0.352]. However, there was relatively low level of genetic diversity at the population level (PPB = 29.17%, I = 0.155). A high degree of genetic differentiation among populations was detected based on other measures and molecular markers (Nei's genetic diversity analysis: G(ST) = 54.19%; AMOVA analysis: F(ST) = 53.35%). The SRAP markers were found to be more efficient than ISSR markers for evaluating population diversity. Based on these findings, we propose changes in sampling strategies for appraising and utilizing the genetic resources of this species.

Ca2+-channel-dependent and -independent inhibition of exocytosis by extracellular ATP in voltage-clamped rat adrenal chromaffin cells

Membrane currents and capacitance were measured to examine the effects of extracellular ATP on exocytosis in voltage-clamped rat adrenal chromaffin cells. ATP reversibly inhibited Ca2+ current (ICa) and exocytosis. The dependency of exocytosis on ICa evoked by 1-s depolarizations was determined. However, inhibition of exocytosis was 2.6 times larger than that estimated from the reduction of ICa, implying the existence of a Ca2+-channel-independent pathway. This inhibition did not rely on a further reduction of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration spike. ATP reduced the rate of exocytosis induced by clamping the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Pertussis toxin blocked the inhibitory effects of ATP on ICa and exocytosis. Although RB-2, a P2Y antagonist, blocked the inhibitory effect of ATP on ICa, RB-2 itself produced large increase or decrease in membrane capacitance. Adenosine inhibited ICa via a pertussis-toxin-sensitive pathway but did not significantly inhibit exocytosis. Our data show that extracellular ATP inhibits exocytosis via inhibition of ICa by activation of a pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-protein linked to P2Y receptors. Furthermore, our data strongly suggest that ATP activates another pathway, which is also G-protein dependent and accounts for the majority of the inhibitory effect of ATP on exocytosis.

Sera from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients reduce high-voltage activated Ca2+ currents in mice dorsal root ganglion neurons

This study investigated the effects of sera from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients on high voltage activated (HVA) Ca2+ current in mice dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells using whole-cell voltage-clamp method. Mice were injected with sera from healthy adults, from patients with other neurological diseases, and from patients with the sporadic form of ALS, for a period of 3 days. Sera from five of six ALS patients reduced HVA Ca2+ current amplitude. The peak Ca2+ current was significantly reduced by ALS sera while the sera from healthy adults and patients with other diseases did not alter Ca2+ current. The inactivation kinetics was altered by ALS sera, and the half-inactivation voltage shifted to more negative potential in ALS group. These results suggest that sporadic ALS serum factors may exert interactions with the HVA Ca2+ channel in DRG cells to reduce the Ca2+ current.

The significance of focal and segmental hyalinosis and sclerosis (FSHS) and nephrotic range proteinuria in IgA nephropathy

Between 1971 and 1991, 845 patients were diagnosed as having IgA glomerulonephritis on renal biopsy performed. These patients were followed for a mean period of 53 months post biopsy (range 0-336 months). By the end of follow up 147 (17%) of patients have developed chronic renal failure (Cr > 0.2 mmol/l) or end-stage renal failure. Presenting creatinine > 0.12 mmol/l, hypertension, nephrotic range, age > 40 years and male gender, all correlated strongly on univariate analysis with the development of chronic renal failure or kidney disease (all p < 0.0001). However, a number of patients developing chronic renal failure or end-stage renal failure already had renal impairment (creatinine > 0.12 mmol/l at presentation). A separate comparison was performed of patients presenting with creatinine < 0.12 mmol/l and either developing chronic failure or end-stage renal failure within 5 years of biopsy (n = 18) and those with creatinine still < 0.12 mmol/l after 5 years follow up (n = 186). Of the 18 patients who deteriorated 6 (35%) were nephrotic at presentation and 9 (56%) had focal hyalinosis and sclerosis on renal biopsy. This compared with 5 (3%) patients with nephrotic range proteinuria and 16 (10%) patients with focal hyalinosis and sclerosis among the 186 patients who did not deteriorate (p < 0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of the presence of either or both factors in predicting deterioration was calculated at 65% and 87% respectively. Thus in patients with normal renal function at presentation the presence of nephrotic range or focal hyalinosis and sclerosis are strong predictors of adverse clinical outcome.

Acute renal failure in IgA nephropathy

Twenty-five (3%) of 865 patients with IgA nephropathy presented with acute renal failure (ARF). These patients were matched with 25 patients in the same series who presented with irreversible renal impairment. Patients with acute renal failure had a significantly higher incidence of macroscopic hematuria and red blood cells in tubules. Conversely, a greater percentage of patients with irreversible renal failure had > or = 40% sclerosed glomeruli. The long-term prognosis for patients presenting with ARF appears excellent with only 1 (4%) patient developing chronic renal failure after a mean follow-up of 65 months. Mechanisms of acute renal failure in IgA nephropathy are discussed.