[Construction of a risk prediction model for diabetes after kidney transplantation based on genome-wide association study]

Objective: To explore the clinical risk factors and susceptibility genes of diabetes after kidney transplantation (PTDM) and construct a risk prediction model for PTDM. Methods: The data of kidney transplant recipients who underwent follow-up in the Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University and Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2001 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The recipients were divided into PTDM group and Non-PTDM group according to whether they were complicated with PTDM. The differences in clinical indicators between the two groups were compared, the risk factors affecting the incidence of PTDM were determined, and susceptibility genes of PTDM were screened by genome-wide association study (GWAS). PTDM risk prediction models based only on clinical indicators (Model 1) and clinical indicators combined with susceptibility genes (Model 2) were established respectively, and the predictive performance of the two prediction models was compared. Finally, the Nomogram of the optimal model was drawn, and the discrimination, calibration and clinical applicability of the model were evaluated. Results: A total of 113 kidney transplant recipients (70 males and 43 females) were included, with an average age of (46.2±10.8) years. There were 51 cases in PTDM group and 62 cases in Non-PTDM group. The related factors screened by GWAS and logistic regression analysis included family history of diabetes (OR=88.912, 95%CI: 5.827-1 356.601, P=0.001), preoperative triglyceride (TG) (OR=1.888, 95 %CI: 1.150-3.098, P=0.012), uric acid (UA) (OR=1.011, 95%CI: 1.000-1.022, P=0.045) and rs802707 (OR=10.046, 95%CI: 1.462-69.042, P=0.019). The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics analysis (ROC) predicted by Model 1 for PTDM was 0.891 (95%CI: 0.811-0.972), with the sensitivity of 0.889 and the specificity of 0.742. The AUC of ROC curve predicted by Model 2 for PTDM was 0.930 (95%CI: 0.864-0.995), with the sensitivity of 0.885 and the specificity of 0.900. Conclusions: Family history of diabetes, preoperative TG and UA, and rs802707 are significantly associated with the occurrence of PTDM. In addition, the combination of susceptibility genes could improve the predictive ability of clinical indicators for the risk of PTDM.

Genetic variability of Myzus persicae nicotianae densovirus based on partial NS and VP gene sequences

We previously described a novel densovirus [Myzus persicae nicotianae densovirus (MpnDV)] infecting M. persicae nicotianae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) with 34% prevalence. This single-stranded DNA virus has a 5480-nucleotide ambisense genome and belongs to the Densovirinae subfamily within the family Parvoviridae. In the present study, we estimated the genetic diversity of MpnDV using partial nonstructural protein (NS) and capsid protein (VP) gene sequences from 10 locations in China. First, we identified MpnDV-positive samples by amplifying a 445-bp fragment with primers MpDVF/MpDVR. Subsequently, we amplified and sequenced COI genes with primers MpCOIF/ MpCOIR, and partial NS and VP sequences with primers MpnDVF1/MpnDVR1. The respective 655-, 1461-, and 423-bp COI, NS, and VP fragments were used to analyze the genetic diversity of MpnDV using MEGA 6.0 and DnaSP 5.0. The high level of identity shared by all COI sequences (>99%) suggested that the aphids sampled were of the same species, and indicated population homogeneity across the 10 locations investigated. The nucleotide diversity of MpnDV sequences (0.0020 ± 0.0025) was significantly higher than that of the COI genes (0.0002 ± 0.0005). The pairwise fixation index for MpnDV was 0.832, and the total gene flow was 0.05. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the MpnDV haplotypes clustered according to geographical location, except for those from the Liaoning and Shanxi provinces. In conclusion, MpnDV demonstrated a low level of gene flow and high genetic diversity, suggesting that it is vertically transmitted, and implying that endosymbiotic viruses could be used as markers in studies of insect population genetics.

Population genetic structure of Myzus persicae nicotianae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in China by microsatellite analysis

The tobacco aphid, Myzus persicae nicotianae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an important agricultural pest that feeds on host plants and transmits plant viruses in China. To effectively control this pest, we investigated the genetic variation and genetic structure of 54 populations of tobacco aphids collected in China, using five microsatellite loci. An average of 7 alleles with effective number ranging from 1.5 to 6.6 was detected using these five loci, and the average polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.652, suggesting that the five selected microsatellite loci were polymorphic and suitable for the study of population genetics. The expected heterozygosities in the populations studied ranged from 0.128 and 0.653, with an average value of 0.464. However, the observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.250 and 0.942 (average = 0.735), revealing a high genetic variability and heterozygosity excess in the Chinese tobacco aphid populations. The global fixation index (F(ST)) and mean gene flow (N(m)) were 0.34 (P < 0.0001) and 0.50, respectively, suggesting the high genetic differentiation among Chinese populations. The 54 populations of tobacco aphids were classified into two groups. The populations did not cluster geographically, as populations from the same provinces were usually present in different clusters. This was also confirmed by the Mantel test, which showed no significant correlation between the genetic distance and geographical distance or altitude. Long distance migration might be responsible for the lack of distance-related isolation.

Analysis of molluscicide metaldehyde in vegetables by dispersive solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

This paper describes the development and validation of a new reverse-phase liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometric method (RP-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) for the determination of metaldehyde in different kinds of vegetables. Metaldehyde was extracted with 20 ml acetonitrile from 10 g vegetable and followed by dispersive solid-phase extraction (Bondesil-primary secondary amine, PSA). The identification of metaldehyde was established by chromatographic retention times, analyte-specific fragmentation patterns and relative peak area ratios of two precursor/product ion pairs. The limit of detection of this method was 0.01 mg kg(-1) using an injection volume of 5 µl. The repeatability of this method is excellent and the relative standard deviation (RSD) is less than 4%.

Apis mellifera has two isoforms of cytoplasmic HSP90

Unlike most other insects, annotated genomic data suggest that Apis mellifera has two homologous copies of the cytoplasmic gene HSP90. In this study, we did a phylogenetic analysis on these two copies with some other insects HSP90 genes, and we also manipulated a reverse transcript (RT)-PCR to find all the putative transcripts for both copies. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that A. mellifera possesses two isoforms of cytoplasmic HSP90: The 'traditional' isoform clusters with cytoplasmic HSP90 of other insects. The other isoform, which occurs phylogenetically as the sister group of all insects, may be a new gene and specific to A. mellifera. The results of RT-PCR indicate that this new isoform contains at least eight transcripts derived from the same genomic locus by complicated alternative splicing (GenBank accession numbers: FJ713701, FJ713702, FJ713703, FJ713704, FJ713705, FJ713706, FJ713707 and FJ713708, respectively). The existence of this specific HSP90 might be related to the caste differentiation of bees.

[A survey of oral health status in 6520 subjects]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prevalence of caries, periodontal disease and the understanding of oral health care between the oral medical staff and common people to reflect the current status of oral health care.

METHODS

A survey of the prevalence of caries, periodontal disease and awareness of oral health care was carried out in 6520 town people.

RESULTS

Treatment is the emphysis of oral health care at present, the education of oral health care by oneself was neglected. New technology and project was restricted by traditional convention. The defect of oral health care was that more attention is being paid on therapy than on prevention.

CONCLUSION

Oral medical staff should pay more attention to prevention than to treatment.

[Anti-platelet activating factor constituents, 2,5-diaryltetrahydrofuran type lignans, from Piper futokadsura Sied. et Zucc]

Besides the known components kadsurenone, futoquinol and futoxide, three anti-platelet activating factor principles have been found from the stem part of Piper futokadsura (Piperaceae), the Chinese drug haifengteng. They were separated and identified as galgravin, galbelgin and veraguensin on the basis of HPLC and spectral analysis. The natural existence of these three anti-PAF constituents in haifengteng is reported for the first time.

[Studies on some derivatives of crotepoxide--an antitumor constituent of Piper futokadzura]

Through reactions of deacetylation and partial deacetylation with selected opening of epoxide ring, seven derivatives of crotepoxide (futoxide), a known antitumor constituent from Piper futokudzura, were prepared. Preliminary pharmacological tests showed that individual derivative possess significant inhibitory activity at 2 x 10(-4) mol/L to the PAF-induced platelet aggregation, while crotepoxide has no effect even at fivefold of this concentration.