Isolation and characterization of novel polymorphic microsatellite loci in Atrina vexillum Born (Pinnidae)

The pen shell, Atrina vexillum Born, is an edible shellfish that is widely consumed in the Asia-Pacific region. In this study, 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from A. vexillum, and 30 wild individuals were used to evaluate the degree of polymorphism of these markers. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 8. The polymorphism information content varied from 0.199 to 0.831. The observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.1000-0.8667 and 0.1244-0.8356, respectively. Two loci deviated significantly from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) after a Bonferroni correction, while the other nine loci were at HWE. These microsatellite loci will be useful in further studies on population genetic analyses, and will provide important genetic data for the conservation and recovery of A. vexillum.

[Characteristics of karyotypes and gene mutations for elder acute myeloid leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence of karyotypes and gene mutations for elder acute myeloid leukemia and to explore the relationship between each other.

METHODS

Clinical data and bone marrow samples of elder AML patients were collected. Karyotype and gene mutation (FLT3, NPM1, C-Kit, CEBPα, DNMT3A) test were performed, characteristics of karyotypes and gene mutations were analysed.

RESULTS

The incidence of better risk karyotype was 16.6%, in which the incidences of t(15;17), t(8;21) and inv (16)/t(16;16) were 3.90%, 10.73%, and 1.95% respectively; the incidence of intermediate risk karyotype was 72.2%, in which the incidence of normal karyotype was 57.86%; the incidence of poor risk karyotype was 11.20%, in which the incidence of of MLL/11q23, complex karyotype and monosomal karyotype were 1.95%, 6.34%, 5.85% respectively; the incidences of FLT3, NPM1, C-Kit, CEBPα, DNMT3A mutation were 12.57%, 22.06%, 2.16%, 14.71%, 15.71% respectively. Compared with patients older than 60 years, patients with age of 55-60 years were with less complex karyotype (1.09% vs 10.62%)(P=0.003) and monosomal karyotype (2.17% vs 8.85%)(P=0.032), and more t(8;21)(17.39% vs 5.31%)(P=0.008) and inv (16)/t(16;16)(4.35% vs 0.00%)(P=0.045).

CONCLUSION

For older AML patients, great difference in the distribution of karyotyes was found between the patients older than 60 years and patients with age of 55-60 years, while no such characteristics was found for gene mutations. Good elucidation of karyotypes and gene mutations are key for the treatment of older acute myeloid leukemia patients.

High-resolution melting curve analysis of the ADSL and LPL genes and their correlation with meat quality and blood parameters in chickens

Adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) are key enzymes in the metabolism of inosine monophosphate (IMP) and fat mass, which are important factors in meat quality evaluation. In this study, we selected 50 hens from the ISA B-line layers and Guangxi Yellow chickens, slaughtered the chickens at 120 days old, and analyzed polymorphisms in the ADSL and LPL genes using the high-resolution melting curve method. Blood lipid parameters, intramuscular fat (IMF), and IMP content were higher (P < 0.05) in Guangxi Yellow chickens than in ISA B-line layers, while LPL activity was lower (P < 0.05). In exon 2 of the ADSL gene, a C3484T mutation was identified. In both breeds, the CC genotype showed the highest IMP, and IMP was the lowest in the TT genotype. In the 5ꞌ regulatory region of the LPL gene, a C293T mutation was identified. In both breeds, the CC genotype showed the lowest LPL and IMF, while IMF was the highest in the TT genotype. The percentages of individuals with the TT type in the ADSL gene, which was associated with the lowest IMP, were 16.0 and 52.0% in Guangxi chickens and ISA layers, respectively. The percentages of individuals with the CC type of the LPL gene, which was associated with the lowest LPL and IMF, were 28.0 and 44.0%, respectively. The ADSL and LPL gene mutations are correlated with differences in meat quality in different chicken breeds, and high-resolution melting curve is an effective prediction technology for these mutations.

Identification of aac(2')-I type b aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes in resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism underlying the drug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii toward aminoglycosides. A total of 32 A. baumannii strains were identified by molecular identification and subsequently isolated. The isolates were then amplified by polymerase chain reaction to analyze the 9 aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes and 7 16S rRNA methylase genes. Five types of aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes and 1 type of 16S rRNA methylase gene were detected in the 32 drug-resistant A. baumannii strains. Positive genes included 7 detection modes, of which the all-6-gene-positive mode aac(2')-Ib+aac(3)-I+aac(6')-Ib+ant(3'')-I+aph(3')-I+armA exhibited the largest number of strains (12, 37.5%). The resistance of A. baumannii against aminoglycosides resulted from the presence of 5 types of aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes and the 16S rRNA methylase gene armA. This study is the first to isolate the aac(2')-Ib aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme gene from A. baumannii in a domestic clinical setting.

Identification of the man-made barium copper silicate pigments among some ancient Chinese artifacts through spectroscopic analysis

This article describes the complementary application of non-invasive micro-Raman spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to the characterization of some ancient Chinese silicate artifacts. A total of 28 samples dated from fourth century BC to third century AD were analyzed. The results of chemical analysis showed that the vitreous PbO-BaO-SiO2 material was used to sinter these silicate artifacts. The barium copper silicate pigments including BaCuSi4O10, BaCuSi2O6 and BaCu2Si2O7 were widely identified from colorful areas of the samples by Raman spectroscopy. In addition, other crystalline phases such as Fe2O3, BaSi2O5, BaSO4, PbCO3 and quartz were also identified. The present study provides very valuable information to trace the technical evolution of man-made barium copper silicate pigments and their close relationship with the making of ancient PbO-BaO-SiO2 glaze and glass.

Isolation and characterization of novel microsatellite markers for molecular genetic diversity in Siganus fuscescens

The rabbitfish Siganus fuscescens is an economically valuable species that is widely distributed throughout the estuaries, intertidal, and offshore coasts of the Indo-Pacific and eastern Mediterranean. Ten novel microsatellite loci from the genome of S. fuscescens were developed using the fast isolation protocol with amplified fragment length polymorphism of sequences containing repeats. Polymorphisms in these 10 microsatellite markers were determined from 32 wild individuals. The number of alleles per locus and the polymorphism information content ranged from 2 to 5 and from 0.059 to 0.668, respectively. The observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.063 to 0.781 and from 0.062 to 0.731, respectively. Although 1 locus (LZY-X7, P < 0.005) showed significant deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, no deviations were detected in the other 9 loci. These microsatellite loci may be useful for further population genetic studies, conservation studies, population structure assessment, and linkage map construction of S. fuscescens.

[Effects of Sam68 gene silence on proliferation of acute T lymphoblastic leukemia cell line Jurkat]

This study was purpose to investigate the effect of Sam68 gene silence on proliferation of human acute T lymphoblastic leukemia cell line Jurkat. The sequence of shRNA targeting the site 531-552 of Sam68 mRNA was designed and chemically synthesized, then a single-vector lentiviral, Tet-inducible shRNA-Sam68 system (pLKO-Tet-On) was constructed; next the Jurkat cells were infected with lentivirus to create stable cell clones with regulatable Sam68 gene expression. The inhibitory efficiency of Sam68 gene was assayed by Real-time PCR and Western blot; the cell activity of Jurkat cells was detected with MTT assay; the change of colony forming potential of Jurkat cells was analyzed by colony forming test; the cell cycle distribution was tested by flow cytometry. The results indicated that the expression of Sam68 in experimental cells was statistically decreased as compared with that of the control cells; the cells activity and colony forming capacity of the Jurkat cells with Sam68 gene silence were significantly inhibited; with Sam68 gene silencing, the percentage of S phase cells was significantly increased, while the percentage of G2 phase cells was significantly decreased. It is concluded that the silencing Sam68 gene using shRNA interference can effectively inhibit the proliferation of human acute T lymphoblastic leukemia cell line Jurkat.

[Associations of HLA gene with leukemia in 1186 cases]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential associations between HLA-A, B, DRB1 gene and leukemia. A total of 1186 leukemic patients, including 326 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 545 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 315 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and 1234 healthy unrelated donors were typed and were compared in a single centre by using same technique, then the Bonferroni correction method was used to correct the Type I error. The results indicated that as compared with the control,the frequency of HLA-DRB1(*)09 in ALL group significantly decreased (10.87% versus 16.08%; Pc = 0.014, OR = 0.637, 95% CI = 0.487-0.834), while in comparison with control, the frequency of HLA-B(*)18 in CML group was significantly higher (1.28% vs 0.20%; Pc = 0.039, OR = 6.336, 95% CI = 2.066-19.434). The positive and negative relation may exist between certain HLA molecules and leukemia. The negative relation between HLA-DRB1(*)09 and ALL indicated that DRB1*09 might play an important role by a restricted T-cell immune response in the early leukemogenic events, whereas the positive relation between HLA-B(*)18 and CML suggests that the B(*)18 molecules may not actively present leukemia-specific antigens resulting in immune escape. It is concluded that these findings can contribute to developing more appropriate method in leukemic immunotherapy.

Screening and characterization of new microsatellite markers in Fenneropenaeus penicillatus

Fenneropenaeus penicillatus, with high protein and low fat, is a commercially important aquatic product in China. Microsatellite loci were developed according to the protocol of fast isolation by amplified fragment length polymorphism of sequences containing repeats. Eight new polymorphic microsatellite markers for F. penicillatus were identified, and 32 wild individuals were used to evaluate the degree of polymorphism of these markers. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.2703 to 0.7598, and the number of alleles per locus varied from 3 to 6. The observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.1613-0.5556 and 0.2347-0.7387, respectively. No significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.00625) were detected. These polymorphic microsatellite loci will be useful to study the genetic diversity and population structure of F. penicillatus.

[Effect of CIAPIN1 gene on proliferation of K562 cells]

The study was aimed to investigate the effect of CIAPIN1 gene on the proliferation of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line K562. The shRNA eukaryotic expression vector targeting CIAPIN1 gene was constructed and transfected into K562 cells. The inhibitory efficiency on K562 cells was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot; the proliferative activity of K562 cells was detected by MTT assay; the number and size of colonies were assessed by using colony-forming test; the tumorigenic potential was tested in vivo by using nude mice. The results indicated that as compared with control group, the CIAPIN1 gene expression statistically decreased; the proliferative activity of K562 cells in interference group was distinctly weakened; the number and size of colonies were significantly reduced; the tumorigenic potential was also lowered in vivo. It is concluded that inhibition of CIAPIN1 expression can inhibit K562 cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo.

A new cell counting method to evaluate anti-tumor compound activity

Determining cell quantity is a common problem in cytology research and anti-tumor drug development. A simple and low-cost method was developed to determine monolayer and adherent-growth cell quantities. The cell nucleus is located in the cytoplasm, and is independent. Thus, the nucleus cannot make contact even if the cell density is heavy. This phenomenon is the foundation of accurate cell-nucleus recognition. The cell nucleus is easily recognizable in images after fluorescent staining because it is independent. A one-to-one relationship exists between the nucleus and the cell; therefore, this method can be used to determine the quantity of proliferating cells. Results indicated that the activity of the histone deacetylase inhibitor Z1 was effective after this method was used. The nude-mouse xenograft model also revealed the potent anti-tumor activity of Z1. This research presents a new anti-tumor-drug evaluation method.

[JAK2 exon 12 mutations in patients with Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate JAK2 exon 12 mutations in patients with Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and the clinical characteristics of patients with JAK2 exon 12 mutants.

METHODS

Allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) was applied to identify JAK2 V617F mutation. Genomic DNA corresponding to exon 12 of JAK2 gene and epigenetic regulator gene (TET2, ASXL1, EZH2) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Identification of mutants was by direct sequencing and classification of mutation types by sequencing followed by plasmid cloning. SNP genotyping of two 46/1 tag SNPs, rs12340895 and rs10974944, was analyzed using commercially available Taqman assays on the 7500HT real-time PCR instrument according to standard protocols.

RESULTS

No JAK2 exon 12 mutation was detected in patients with ET, PMF or JAK2 V617F positive PV. Among 13 JAK2 V617F negative PV patients, JAK2 exon 12 mutation was detected as N542-E543del in 2(15.4%) patients who presented with a phenotype of predominant erythrocytosis and erythroid colonic grown from their bone marrow samples in the absence of exogenous EPO, reduced serum erythropoietin (EPO) level, and no mutations in TET2, ASXL1 or EZH2 genes. One of the affected patients was heterozygous for 46/1 but the second was negative for this haplotype.

CONCLUSION

There was no need to detect JAK2 exon 12 mutation in ET, PMF or MPN-U patients without JAK2 V67F mutation. Ph negative MPN patients with JAK2 exon 12 mutations had somewhat unique clinical and laboratory features.

Chronopharmacokinetics of puerarin in diabetic rats

Puerarin injection has been widely used for clinic treatment of diabetes recently. To assess the relationship between the administration time of puerarin and the blood concentration of puerarin as well as its pharmacokinetic parameters, the diabetic rat model was used in current study. The rats were randomly divided into morning and evening groups according to the administration time. After the puerarin injection, blood glucose was tested in order to know whether the efficiency of puerarin was influenced by its concentration and pharmacokinetic parameters. Our results show that the average concentration of puerarin in the evening group is significantly higher than that in the morning group. The numbers of t_1/2α, t_1/2β, CL and AUC_(0-∞) are significantly different between the morning and evening groups. The blood glucose level in the evening group was lower than that in the morning group. The speed of its onset is higher and the blood glucose level declines much more significantly in the evening group. These findings suggest that the concentration and pharmacokinetic parameters of puerarin affect its efficiency in diabetic rats. Therefore, it might be better to give puerarin in evening than in the morning for the mellitus treatment.

[Effect of DOT1L gene silence on proliferation of acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1]

This study was aimed to investigate the influence of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on proliferation of human leukemia cell line THP-1. The shRNA targeting the site 732-752 of DOT1L mRNA was designed and chemically synthesized, then a single-vector lentiviral, tet-inducible shRNA-DOT1L system (Plko-Tet-On) was generated. Thereafter, the THP-1 cells with lentivirus were infected to create stable cell line with regulatable shRNA expression. The expression of DOT1L in the THP-1 cell line was assayed by RT-PCR. Effect of shRNA-DOT1L on the proliferation of THP-1 cells was detected with MTT method,and the change of colony forming potential of THP-1 cells was analyzed by colony forming unit test. Cell cycle distribution was tested by flow cytometry. The results indicated that the expression of DOT1L was statistically lower than that in the control groups. The proliferation and colony forming capacity of THP-1 cells were significantly inhibited. The percentage of cells at G0/G1 phase increased in THP-1/shRNA cells treated with Dox while the percentage of cells at S phase significantly decreased as compared with that in the control group. It is concluded that the shRNA targeting DOT1L can effectively inhibit the proliferation of acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1.

Characterization of new microsatellite markers of Siganus fuscescens (Siganidae)

Siganus fuscescens, which is a small commercially important marine fish, is wildly distributed in shallow waters throughout the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific and Eastern Mediterranean regions. It is part of a group known as rabbitfish. Fifteen new polymorphic microsatellite markers for S. fuscescens were identified, and 32 wild individuals were used to evaluate the degree of polymorphism of these markers. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 12, and the polymorphism information content ranged from 0.210 to 0.849. The observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.142-0.808 and 0.225-0.853, respectively. Although significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected at 2 loci (Sf1-37-2 and Sf1-47), no significant deviations were detected at the other 13 loci. These microsatellite markers will provide a useful tool for studies on genetic diversity and differentiation of S. fuscescens.

[Expression and clinical significance of IKZF1 gene IK6 isoform in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

This study was aimed to detect the expression of IKZF1 gene isoforms in bone marrow cells of patients with adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia and to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with IK6 isoform. The expression of IKZF1 gene isoforms were measured by nested RT-PCR in 79 newly diagnosed ALL patients. The clinical characteristics of IK6 positive patients and overall survival, disease-free survival of the IK6 positive group and IK6 negative group were compared. The results showed that IK1 and IK2/3 were the functional isoform while the IK4, IK6, IK8 and IK9 were the dominant negative isoform in adult ALL. The dominant negative isoform IK6 accounted for 34.4% in B-ALL patients and accounted for 22.2% in T-ALL patients. The BCR/ABL1 positive rate and the percentage of high risk patients in IK6 positive group was higher than that of IK6 negtive group in B-ALL patients (P = 0.027, P = 0.048). The expression of IK6 isoform did not correlate with sex, age and WBC count of B-ALL and T-ALL patients. The overall survival and disease-free survival of IK6 positive group were both lower than that of IK6 negtive group in Ph negative B-ALL patients (P = 0.009, P = 0.002). It is concluded that IK6 is a main isoform of the expression of IKZF1 gene in adult ALL patients, and can be used as a prognostic factor for guiding treatment in Ph negative B-ALL patients.

[Expression of RHBDD1 gene in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and its clinical significance]

This study was aimed to investigate the expression of RHBDD1 gene in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and explore its clinical significance. The relative expression levels of RHBDD1 in bone marrow mononuclear cells of healthy controls and CML patients were detected by using real time PCR. The results showed that the expression level of RHBDD1 in CML patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls. The expression level of RHBDD1 in CML patients with negative BCR/ABL p210 was remarkably higher than that in patients with positive BCR/ABL p210. In patients ≥ 50 years old RHBDD1 expression was lower than the patients < 50 years old. There were no significant relation of RHBDD1 expression with sex of patients. It is concluded that RHBDD1 gene may be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of CML, particularly reflects in the pathogenesis of the patients with negative BCR/ABL p210.

[Inhibition of NHE1 down-regulates IL-8 expression and enhances p38 phosphorylation]

This study was purposed to explore the changes of possible angiogenetic factors other than VEGF after inhibition of NHE1 and their related mechanisms. The K562 cells were treated by NHE1 specific inhibitor cariporide, the angiogenesis factors after inhibition of NHE1 were screened by using protein chip, the IL-8 expression level after cariporide treatment was detected by real-time quantitative PCR; the K562 cells with stable interference of NHE1 were constructed, the IL-8 expression level after interference of NHE1 was detected by real-time quantitative PCR; the p38 phosphorylation level in K562 cells treated with cariporide was detected by Western blot. After treatment of K562 cells with p38 inhibitor SB203580, the IL-8 expression level was decreased by real-time quantitative PCR. The results of protein chip showed that IL-8 expression decreased after cariporide treatment. Real-time quantitative PCR confirmed this inhibitory effect. The p38 phosphorylation level increased after cariporide treatment. The down-regulation of IL-8 expression induced by cariporide treatment was partially restored after K562 cells were treated with p38 inhibitor SB203580. It is concluded that the inhibition of NHE1 can inhibit IL-8 expression through up-regulation of p38 phosphorylation.

Chronic degeneration of dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons modulates cortical spreading depression: a possible pathophysiology of migraine

The vascular serotonergic system in the brain has been implicated in the pathophysiology of migraine, however, involvement of the serotonergic nervous system of the brain parenchyma in the pathophysiology remains unclear. To investigate whether the brain parenchymal serotonergic nervous system is involved in the etiology of migraine, we prepared an experimental model of migraine by generation of cortical spreading depression (SD), characterized by spreading of neuronal/glial membrane depolarization accompanied by temporal elevation of the cerebral blood flow (CBF) throughout the cerebral cortical hemisphere in rats, which underwent pharmacological treatment for degeneration of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus. We show here that (1) significant degeneration of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus and serotonergic fibers in the cerebral cortex was observed in treated rats, (2) spreading velocity of the CBF changes was significantly increased in these rats, and (3) calculated width of the depolarization wave was significantly extended in these rats. These results indicate that the dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons modulate cortical spreading depression and might be involved in migraine pathology via a similar mechanism.

Characterization of eight novel microsatellite markers in the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis (Mytilidae)

The green lipped mussel, also known as the Asian green mussel (Perna viridis) is a fast reproducing and valuable food source, but it is also considered an invasive species and can clog and damage pipes and marine equipment. Eight novel polymorphic microsatellite loci for P. viridis were isolated and characterized. Microsatellite polymorphism was evaluated in 30 individuals collected from Xiamen, China. The number of alleles per locus and the polymorphism information content ranged from 2 to 5 and from 0.3092 to 0.7031, respectively. The observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.1538-0.8400 and 0.1448-0.6833, respectively. The loci identified in this study could provide a useful tool for the genetic population structure analysis of P. viridis.