Weighted single-step GWAS identified candidate genes associated with carcass traits in a Chinese yellow-feathered chicken population

Carcass traits in broiler chickens are complex traits that are influenced by multiple genes. To gain deeper insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying carcass traits, here we conducted a weighted single-step genome-wide association study (wssGWAS) in a population of Chinese yellow-feathered chicken. The objective was to identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with carcass weight (CW), eviscerated weight with giblets (EWG), eviscerated weight (EW), breast muscle weight (BMW), drumstick weight (DW), abdominal fat weight (AFW), abdominal fat percentage (AFP), gizzard weight (GW), and intestine length (IL). A total of 1,338 broiler chickens with phenotypic and pedigree information were included in this study. Of these, 435 chickens were genotyped using a 600K single nucleotide polymorphism chip for association analysis. The results indicate that the most significant regions for 9 traits explained 2.38% to 5.09% of the phenotypic variation, from which the region of 194.53 to 194.63Mb on chromosome 1 with the gene RELT and FAM168A identified on it was significantly associated with CW, EWG, EW, BMW, and DW. Meanwhile, the 5 traits have a strong genetic correlation, indicating that the region and the genes can be used for further research. In addition, some candidate genes associated with skeletal muscle development, fat deposition regulation, intestinal repair, and protection were identified. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses suggested that the genes are involved in processes such as vascular development (CD34, FGF7, FGFR3, ITGB1BP1, SEMA5A, LOXL2), bone formation (FGFR3, MATN1, MEF2D, DHRS3, SKI, STC1, HOXB1, HOXB3, TIPARP), and anatomical size regulation (ADD2, AKT1, CFTR, EDN3, FLII, HCLS1, ITGB1BP1, SEMA5A, SHC1, ULK1, DSTN, GSK3B, BORCS8, GRIP2). In conclusion, the integration of phenotype, genotype, and pedigree information without creating pseudo-phenotype will facilitate the genetic improvement of carcass traits in chickens, providing valuable insights into the genetic architecture and potential candidate genes underlying carcass traits, enriching our understanding and contributing to the breeding of high-quality broiler chickens.

The PERCIVAL detector: first user experiments

The PERCIVAL detector is a CMOS imager designed for the soft X-ray regime at photon sources. Although still in its final development phase, it has recently seen its first user experiments: ptychography at a free-electron laser, holographic imaging at a storage ring and preliminary tests on X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy. The detector performed remarkably well in terms of spatial resolution achievable in the sample plane, owing to its small pixel size, large active area and very large dynamic range; but also in terms of its frame rate, which is significantly faster than traditional CCDs. In particular, it is the combination of these features which makes PERCIVAL an attractive option for soft X-ray science.

A-17 Effects Of Parental Mental Health On Patient and Parent-Reported Anxiety Symptoms Following Concussion In Adolescents

Purpose: Examine the impact of parental mental health history on patient and patent-reported post-concussion symptoms of anxiety. Methods: Participants included 105 adolescents (42.9% male), 12–18 years old, including concussion patients (n = 72, 3.42 ± 1.7 days post-injury) and age-and-sex matched controls (n = 33). Patients and parents completed the Screen for Child Anxiety Disorders, Parent and Child versions (SCARED-P, SCARED-C) and medical histories. T-tests were used to compare control/concussed responses on the SCARED. Logistic regression (LR) was used to evaluate group predictors, as well as high/low (i.e., >21 PCSS total score) concussion symptom groups at 30 days post-injury. Results: Results indicated that concussed SCARED-C (controls: M = 7.88 SD = 7.55, concussed: M = 13.4 SD = 11.42), (t[103] = −2.53, p = 0.01) and SCARED-P (controls: M = 3.55 SD = 3.62, concussed: M = 6.72 SD = 7.12), (t[103] = −2.42, p < 0.01) scores were higher than controls. SCARED-C/SCARED-P scores were not predictive of high/low symptom report at 30 days post-injury, X2(2, n = 59) = 3.46, p = 0.18. The stepwise LR model was significant, X2(1, n = 105) = 7.34, p = 0.007; SCARED-C scores were predictive of concussion group inclusion, SCARED-P scores were not. In analyses of only patients whose parent reported a mental health history (22/105, 21%), there was no significant difference between control and patients on the SCARED-C, t(20) = −1.82, p = 0.08, or SCARED-P, t(20) = −0.34, p = 0.74. SCARED-C/SCARED-P scores did not predict control/concussion group inclusion, X2(2, n = 22) = 5.04, p = 0.08. Conclusions: SCARED-P/SCARED-C scores effectively differentiated between groups: patients and parents reported higher anxiety symptoms. The inclusion of parents with mental health diagnoses precluded the SCARED from differentiating controls from patients.

Fizeau drag in graphene plasmonics

Dragging of light by moving media was predicted by Fresnel¹ and verified by Fizeau's celebrated experiments² with flowing water. This momentous discovery is among the experimental cornerstones of Einstein's special relativity theory and is well understood^3,4 in the context of relativistic kinematics. By contrast, experiments on dragging photons by an electron flow in solids are riddled with inconsistencies and have so far eluded agreement with the theory^5-7. Here we report on the electron flow dragging surface plasmon polaritons^8,9 (SPPs): hybrid quasiparticles of infrared photons and electrons in graphene. The drag is visualized directly through infrared nano-imaging of propagating plasmonic waves in the presence of a high-density current. The polaritons in graphene shorten their wavelength when propagating against the drifting carriers. Unlike the Fizeau effect for light, the SPP drag by electrical currents defies explanation by simple kinematics and is linked to the nonlinear electrodynamics of Dirac electrons in graphene. The observed plasmonic Fizeau drag enables breaking of time-reversal symmetry and reciprocity¹⁰ at infrared frequencies without resorting to magnetic fields^11,12 or chiral optical pumping^13,14. The Fizeau drag also provides a tool with which to study interactions and nonequilibrium effects in electron liquids.

Effect modification of the association between diurnal temperature range and hospitalisations for ischaemic stroke by temperature in Hefei, China

OBJECTIVES

Diurnal temperature range (DTR) is an important indicator of global climate change. Many epidemiological studies have reported the associations between high DTR and human health. This study investigated the association between DTR and hospitalisations for ischaemic stroke in Hefei, China.

STUDY DESIGN

This is an ecological study.

METHODS

Data of daily hospital admissions for ischaemic stroke and meteorological variables from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2017 were collected in Hefei, China. A generalised additive model combined with distributed lag non-linear model was used to quantify the effects of DTR on ischaemic stroke. The interactive effect between DTR and temperature was explored with a non-parametric bivariate response surface model.

RESULTS

High DTR was associated with hospitalisations for ischaemic stroke. The adverse effect of extremely high DTR (99th percentile [17.1 °C]) occurred after 8 days (relative risk [RR] = 1.021, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.002, 1.041) and the maximum effect appeared after 12 days (RR = 1.029, 95% CI = 1.011, 1.046). The overall trend of the effect of DTR on ischaemic stroke was decreasing. In addition, there was a significant interactive effect of high DTR and low temperature on ischaemic stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that the impact of high DTR should be considered when formulating targeted measures to prevent ischaemic stroke, especially for those days with high DTR and low mean temperature.

Measurements of tt[over ¯]H Production and the CP Structure of the Yukawa Interaction between the Higgs Boson and Top Quark in the Diphoton Decay Channel

The first observation of the tt[over ¯]H process in a single Higgs boson decay channel with the full reconstruction of the final state (H→γγ) is presented, with a significance of 6.6 standard deviations (σ). The CP structure of Higgs boson couplings to fermions is measured, resulting in an exclusion of the pure CP-odd structure of the top Yukawa coupling at 3.2σ. The measurements are based on a sample of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=13  TeV collected by the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137  fb^{-1}. The cross section times branching fraction of the tt[over ¯]H process is measured to be σ_{tt[over ¯]H}B_{γγ}=1.56_{-0.32}^{+0.34}  fb, which is compatible with the standard model prediction of 1.13_{-0.11}^{+0.08}  fb. The fractional contribution of the CP-odd component is measured to be f_{CP}^{Htt}=0.00±0.33.

XUV-driven plasma switch for THz: new spatio-temporal overlap tool for XUV-THz pump-probe experiments at FELs

A simple and robust tool for spatio-temporal overlap of THz and XUV pulses in in-vacuum pump-probe experiments is presented. The technique exploits ultrafast changes of the optical properties in semiconductors (i.e. silicon) driven by ultrashort XUV pulses that are probed by THz pulses. This work demonstrates that this tool can be used for a large range of XUV fluences that are significantly lower than when probing by visible and near-infrared pulses. This tool is mainly targeted at emerging X-ray free-electron laser facilities, but can be utilized also at table-top high-harmonics sources.

Electronic decay of core-excited HCl molecules probed by THz streaking

The ultrafast electronic decay of HCl molecules in the time domain after resonant core excitation was measured. Here, a Cl-2p core electron was promoted to the antibonding σ^* orbital initiating molecular dissociation, and simultaneously, the electronic excitation relaxes via an Auger decay. For HCl, both processes compete on similar ultrashort femtosecond time scales. In order to measure the lifetime of the core hole excitation, we collinearly superimposed 40 fs soft x-ray pulses with intense terahertz (THz) radiation from the free-electron laser in Hamburg (FLASH). Electrons emitted from the molecules are accelerated (streaked) by the THz electric field where the resulting momentum change depends on the field's phase at the instant of ionization. Evaluation of a time-shift between the delay-dependent streaking spectra of photo- and Auger electrons yields a decay constant of (11 ± 2) fs for LMM Auger electrons. For further validation, the method was also applied to the MNN Auger decay of krypton. Reproduction of the value already published in the literature confirms that a temporal resolution much below the duration of the exciting x-ray pulses can be reached.

Calhm2 governs astrocytic ATP releasing in the development of depression-like behaviors

Extracellular ATP is a widespread cell-to-cell signaling molecule in the brain, where it functions as a neuromodulator by activating glia and neurons. Although ATP exerts multiple effects on synaptic plasticity and neuro-glia interactions, as well as in mood disorders, the source and regulation of ATP release remain to be elaborated. Here, we define Calhm2 as an ATP-releasing channel protein based on in vitro and in vivo models. Conventional knockout and conditional astrocyte knockout of Calhm2 both lead to significantly reduced ATP concentrations, loss of hippocampal spine number, neural dysfunction and depression-like behaviors in mice, which can be significantly rescued by ATP replenishment. Our findings identify Calhm2 as a critical ATP-releasing channel that modulates neural activity and as a potential risk factor of depression.

[The situation and associated factors of satisfaction with follow-up management of HIV/AIDS cases conducted by Community Health Service Center in Hongkou district of Shanghai]

Objective: To analyze satisfaction with follow-up management of HIV/AIDS cases conducted by Community Health Service Center (CHS) and related factors in Hongkou district, Shanghai. Methods: Out of 302 HIV/AIDS cases followed up by CHS in Hongkou district from 2012 to 2016, 263 HIV/AIDS cases were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional study assessed by self-designed questionnaire-based interview during October 1, 2016 and October 20, 2016, with efficiency of 87.1%. Information of basic characteristics including sociodemographic, routes of infection, CD4(+)T cell counts, diagnose of AIDS and status of receiving ART were collected, as well as satisfaction with follow-up management conducted by CHS including service professionalism, service attitude, service environment, referral service, privacy protection, health education, psychological support, and care and assistance. Factors related to satisfaction were analyzed using multiple binary logistic regression. Results: Among 263 HIV/AIDS cases, the average age was 42.0±13.5, 93.2% (245 cases) were male and the proportion of overall satisfaction was 72.2% (190 cases). Out of 8 items of satisfaction, service attitude and health education got the highest score with a total number of 235 (89.4%) answering "very satisfied" or "satisfied" , while care and assistance got the lowest score with a total number of 69 (26.2%) answering "dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied" . Compared to HIV/AIDS local residents and followed up by CHS <12 months, those who were non-local residents and followed up by CHS ≥12 months were more likely to be satisfied, the OR (95%CI) were 2.66 (1.30-5.44) and 2.52 (1.01-6.29), respectively. Compared to HIV/AIDS ≤30 years old and receiving ART, those who were 31-50 years or >50 years old and not receiving ART were less likely to be satisfied, the OR (95%CI) were 0.36 (0.15-0.89), 0.32 (0.10-0.97) and 0.11 (0.01-0.90), respectively. Conclusion: Satisfaction with follow-up management conducted by CHS in Hongkou district is relatively high. Age, residence, status of receiving ART and cumulative time of following up by CHS are significantly associated with satisfaction, suggesting that CHS should improve their professional abilities during follow-up management, as well as be more targeted and focus on different aspects.

Uncertainty quantification and design-of-experiment in absorption-based aqueous film parameter measurements using Bayesian inference

Diode laser-based multi-wavelength near-infrared (NIR) absorption in aqueous films is a promising diagnostic for making temporally resolved, simultaneous measurements of film thickness, temperature, and concentration of a solute. Our previous work in aqueous urea solutions aimed at determining simultaneously two of these system parameters, while the third one must be fixed or specified by additional measurements. The current work presents a simultaneous NIR absorption-based multi-parameter measurement of thickness, temperature, and solute concentration coupled with the Bayesian methodology that is used to infer probability densities for the obtained data. The Bayesian analysis is based on a temperature- and concentration-dependent spectral database generated with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer in the range 5500-8000  cm^-1 for water with variable temperature and urea concentration. The concept was first validated with measurements using a calibration cell. Probability densities in the measured parameters were quantified using a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, which were used to derive credibility intervals. As a practical demonstration, the temporal variation of film thickness, urea concentration, and liquid temperature were recorded during evaporation of a liquid film deposited on a transparent heated quartz plate.

[The influence on the peeling off time of the tunica albuginea after 4-8℃ cool water was applied to children's low temperature plasma-assisted tonsillectomy]

Objective:The aim of this study is to discuss the influence on the peeling off time of the tunica albuginea after 4-8℃ cool water was applied to children 's low temperature plasmaassisted tonsillectomy.Method:One hundred and seventeen benign hypertrophy of tonsil patients were recruited,the 56 cases of them were served as experimental group,who were treated with plasma tonsillectomy using 4-8℃ normal saline as medium,while the 61 cases were served as control group,who were treated with plasma tonsillectomy using 22-25℃ normal saline as medium.Then,we analyzed the peeling off time of the tunica albuginea between experimental and control group.Result:The difference of formation time between experimental group and control group was not statistically significant(P >0.05).The average peeling off time of the tunica albuginea was (11.32±2.51) days in experimental group,while time was(15.03±4.12) days in control group.There was a statistical difference between them.Conclusion:The use of 4-8℃ cold water in children's low temperature plasma-assisted tonsillectomy can reduce the peeling off time of the tunica albuginea,and it indicate that the ice water medium can reduce the heat injury caused by the plasma operation.

Subtypes of major depression: latent class analysis in depressed Han Chinese women

BACKGROUND

Despite substantial research, uncertainty remains about the clinical and etiological heterogeneity of major depression (MD). Can meaningful and valid subtypes be identified and would they be stable cross-culturally?

METHOD

Symptoms at their lifetime worst depressive episode were assessed at structured psychiatric interview in 6008 women of Han Chinese descent, age ⩾ 30 years, with recurrent DSM-IV MD. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed in Mplus. RESULTS; Using the nine DSM-IV MD symptomatic A criteria, the 14 disaggregated DSM-IV criteria and all independently assessed depressive symptoms (n = 27), the best LCA model identified respectively three, four and six classes. A severe and non-suicidal class was seen in all solutions, as was a mild/moderate subtype. An atypical class emerged once bidirectional neurovegetative symptoms were included. The non-suicidal class demonstrated low levels of worthlessness/guilt and hopelessness. Patterns of co-morbidity, family history, personality, environmental precipitants, recurrence and body mass index (BMI) differed meaningfully across subtypes, with the atypical class standing out as particularly distinct.

CONCLUSIONS

MD is a clinically complex syndrome with several detectable subtypes with distinct clinical and demographic correlates. Three subtypes were most consistently identified in our analyses: severe, atypical and non-suicidal. Severe and atypical MD have been identified in multiple prior studies in samples of European ethnicity. Our non-suicidal subtype, with low levels of guilt and hopelessness, may represent a pathoplastic variant reflecting Chinese cultural influences.

First Report of Corn Bacterial Leaf Stripe Caused by Acidovorax avenae in Guangdong Province, China

Each autumn of 2011 to 2013, a disease was observed on corn (cv. Huameitian 8) in the Experimental Farm of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, with an incidence ranging from 20 to 65%. Initial symptoms appeared as small, water-soaked lesions on the leaves. Under warm and humid conditions, lesions expanded along the veins producing necrotic stripes. Stripes later became dry and brown, often with shredding of the infected tissue. Bacterial ooze was observed coming out of sections of leaves showing stripe symptoms. Diseased leaf tissues were surface disinfected in 75% ethanol for 1 min followed by three rinses with sterile distilled water. Bacteria were isolated from symptomatic tissues. Colonies were creamy white, circular, convex, smooth with entire margins on nutrient agar, and non-fluorescent and slow-growing on King's medium B. The strains were gram-negative, rod-shaped with a unidirectional flagellum, aerobic, positive for gelatin liquefaction and catalase, amylase activity, and negative for nitrate reduction. The strains utilized mannose, fructose, and citrate, but not lactose and maltose. 16S rDNA genes of two strains, GDHN01 (Accession No. JQ904301) and GDHN02 (JQ904302), were amplified using universal primers (3). A 1,433-bp amplification product was obtained. Using BLAST analysis of NCBI GenBank, these sequences showed 99 to 100% sequence identity with the type strain Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae ICMP 3183 (NR041757). These two strains were identified as A. avenae by Biolog metabolic phenotype analysis (Biolog, Hayward, CA) with similarity indices ranging from 0.550 to 0.823. The strains induced hypersensitive response on leaves of 2-month-old tobacco plants within 24 h. The pathogenicity of GDHN01 and GDHN02 was tested three times by needle puncture with bacterial suspensions containing of 6 × 10⁸ CFU/ml on five-leaf-stage healthy corn seedlings (cv. Huameitian 8) (n = 5 seedlings/isolate/experiment). Positive controls were inoculated with A. avenae reference strain Yu13 (obtained from Nanjing Agricultural University, China) (1) and negative controls were inoculated with sterile water. Plants were kept in the greenhouse at 28°C and 80% RH. Yellow to brown stripes were observed on all inoculated leaves at 4 to 6 days post-inoculation; similar symptoms were caused by the reference strain, but no symptoms developed on the negative control plants. Re-isolated bacteria from symptomatic tissues were confirmed to be A. anevae based on morphology, physiological assays, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis described above. No target bacteria were isolated from the control plants. A. avenae was previously identified as the causal agent of bacterial leaf stripe on corn in Jiangsu Province (1) and rice in Zhejiang Province (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. avenae naturally infecting corn in Guangdong Province. Guangdong is the largest sweet corn-producing and consuming province in China. This seed-borne pathogen may pose a threat to corn production in Guangdong Province. References: (1) Y. Gao et al. Jiangsu J. Agric. Sci. 23:22, 2007. (2) L. H. Xu et al. Chinese J. Rice Sci. 22:302, 2008. (3) N. W. Schaad et al. Laboratory Guide for the Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, 3rd edition. APS Press. St. Paul, MN, 2001.

Role of misalignment-induced angular chirp in the electro-optic detection of THz waves

A general description of electro-optic detection including non-collinear phase matching and finite transverse beam profiles is presented. It is shown theoretically and experimentally that non-collinear phase matching in ZnTe (and similar materials) produces an angular chirp in the χ(2)-generated optical signal. Due to this, in non-collinear THz and probe arrangements such as single-shot THz measurements or through accidental misalignment, measurement of an undistorted THz signal is critically dependent on having sufficient angular acceptance in the optical probe path. The associated spatial walk-off can also preclude the phase retardation approximation used in THz-TDS. The rate of misalignment-induced chirping in commonly used ZnTe and GaP schemes is tabulated, allowing ready analysis of a detection system.

The structure of the symptoms of major depression: exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in depressed Han Chinese women

BACKGROUND

The symptoms of major depression (MD) are clinically diverse. Do they form coherent factors that might clarify the underlying nature of this important psychiatric syndrome?

METHOD

Symptoms at lifetime worst depressive episode were assessed at structured psychiatric interview in 6008 women of Han Chinese descent, age ⩾30 years with recurrent DSM-IV MD. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatoryfactor analysis (CFA) were performed in Mplus in random split-half samples.

RESULTS

The preliminary EFA results were consistently supported by the findings from CFA. Analyses of the nine DSM-IV MD symptomatic A criteria revealed two factors loading on: (i) general depressive symptoms; and (ii) guilt/suicidal ideation. Examining 14 disaggregated DSM-IV criteria revealed three factors reflecting: (i) weight/appetite disturbance; (ii) general depressive symptoms; and (iii) sleep disturbance. Using all symptoms (n = 27), we identified five factors that reflected: (i) weight/appetite symptoms; (ii) general retarded depressive symptoms; (iii) atypical vegetative symptoms; (iv) suicidality/hopelessness; and (v) symptoms of agitation and anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

MD is a clinically complex syndrome with several underlying correlated symptom dimensions. In addition to a general depressive symptom factor, a complete picture must include factors reflecting typical/atypical vegetative symptoms, cognitive symptoms (hopelessness/suicidal ideation), and an agitated symptom factor characterized by anxiety, guilt, helplessness and irritability. Prior cross-cultural studies, factor analyses of MD in Western populations and empirical findings in this sample showing risk factor profiles similar to those seen in Western populations suggest that our results are likely to be broadly representative of the human depressive syndrome.

Cognitive trio: relationship with major depression and clinical predictors in Han Chinese women

BACKGROUND

Previous studies support Beck's cognitive model of vulnerability to depression. However, the relationship between his cognitive triad and other clinical features and risk factors among those with major depression (MD) has rarely been systematically studied.

METHOD

The three key cognitive symptoms of worthlessness, hopelessness and helplessness were assessed during their lifetime worst episode in 1970 Han Chinese women with recurrent MD. Diagnostic and other risk factor information was assessed at personal interview. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by logistic regression.

RESULTS

Compared to patients who did not endorse the cognitive trio, those who did had a greater number of DSM-IV A criteria, more individual depressive symptoms, an earlier age at onset, a greater number of episodes, and were more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for melancholia, postnatal depression, dysthymia and anxiety disorders. Hopelessness was highly related to all the suicidal symptomatology, with ORs ranging from 5.92 to 6.51. Neuroticism, stressful life events (SLEs) and a protective parental rearing style were associated with these cognitive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

During the worst episode of MD in Han Chinese women, the endorsement of the cognitive trio was associated with a worse course of depression and an increased risk of suicide. Individuals with high levels of neuroticism, many SLEs and high parental protectiveness were at increased risk for these cognitive depressive symptoms. As in Western populations, symptoms of the cognitive trio appear to play a central role in the psychopathology of MD in Chinese women.

Hesperidin pretreatment protects hypoxia-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rat

Neonatal hypoxia-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains a major cause of brain damage, leading to high disability and mortality rates in neonates. In vitro studies have shown that hesperidin, a flavanone glycoside found abundantly in citrus fruits, acts as an antioxidant. Although hesperidin has been considered as a potential treatment for HIE, its effects have not been fully evaluated. In this study, the protective effect of hesperidin pretreatment against hypoxia-ischemic (HI) brain injury and possible signal pathways were investigated using in vivo and in vitro models. In vivo HI model employed unilateral carotid ligation in postnatal day 7 rat with exposure to 8% hypoxia for 2.5h, whereas in vitro model employed primary cortical neurons of neonatal rats subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation for 2.5h. Hesperidin pretreatment significantly reduced HI-induced brain tissue loss and improved neurological outcomes as shown in 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride monohydrate staining and foot-fault results. The neuroprotective effects of hesperidin are likely the results of preventing an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxide levels. Hesperidin treatment also activated a key survival signaling kinase, Akt, and suppressed the P-FoxO3 level. Hesperidin pretreatment protected neonatal HIE by reducing free radicals and activating phosphorylated Akt.

First Report of Soybean Stem Blight Caused by Phomopsis longicolla in Guangdong Province, Southern China

In October 2011, a disease resembling stem blight of soybean was found in Zengcheng City, Guangdong Province, southern China. Symptoms began as a brown fusiform lesions on the stems, usually at the nodes. The lesions then darkened, elongated, and often girdled the stems, causing wilt of the above stems. The whole plant eventually died. There were many small, black, raised fruiting bodies in the lesions. The disease incidence was about 20%. Lesions with typical symptoms were sampled from diseased plants. Microscopic examination revealed that the fruiting bodies were pycnidia in which alpha-conidia were common but beta-conidia were rare. Alpha-conidia were hyaline, ellipsoidal to fusiform, guttulate, and measured 7.0 (4.3 to 10.0) × 3.0 (1.8 to 4.3) μm. The length/width ratio of alpha-conidia was 2.3 (1.4 to 4.5). Beta-conidia were hyaline, filiform, hamate, and measured 28.7 (18.2 to 35.7) × 1.8 (1.2 to 2.8) μm. A fungus was consistently isolated from the lesions on acidified potato dextrose agar (APDA, pH 4.5) at 25°C under intermittent fluorescent light (12 h daily). The colonies were floccose, dense, and white, with occasional green-yellow areas; the reverse was colorless with large, black stromata. To induce the production of fruiting bodies, autoclaved soybean stems were placed on the colonies growing on water agar at 25°C in darkness. Pycnidia with long beaks were observed on the stems 7 days later. The fungus was identified as Phomopsis longicolla (2). The rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the fungus was amplified with universal primers ITS4/ITS5 and sequenced (4). The sequences of two isolates were submitted to GenBank (Accession Nos. JX827608 and JX827609). BLASTn analysis showed that there was 99 to 100% similarity with sequences of P. longicolla deposited in GenBank (EF026104, AY857868, HQ130441, JF309198, JF309199, and AF132796). Pathogenicity tests were conducted on 14-day-old seedlings (cv. Huaxia 3) inoculated by placing mycelial plugs (5 mm in diameter and 4 days old) on slight cuts made on the lower stems (six replicates). The plugs were covered with a piece of wet cotton to maintain moisture. The control seedlings were treated the same but without mycelial plugs. All treated plants were incubated in 25°C in humid champers. Typical brown lesions with black raised pycnidia on the stems were observed 14 days after inoculation and P. longicolla was reisolated from these stem lesions. No disease was observed on control plants. To further verify that the fungus can cause seed decay, seeds were disinfected by 0.02% sodium hypochlorite and inoculated by putting them on the surface of the fungal colonies grown on APDA (pH 4.5) at 25°C. The control seeds were treated the same but without fungal colonies. All of the inoculated seeds decayed within 30 days whereas the control seeds maintained healthy. P. longicolla has been described as a pathogen causing serious stem blight and seed decay on soybean (3). The disease has been previously reported in Heilongjiang Province, northern China, but it was not known elsewhere in China (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. longicolla on soybean in Guangdong Province, southern China. The pathogen may pose a serious threat to the production of soybean in this region of China. References: (1) Y. Cui et al. Plant Pathol. 58:779, 2009. (2) T. W. Hobbs et al. Mycologia 77:535, 1985. (3) S. Li et al. Plant Dis. 94:1035, 2010. (4) A. W. Zhang et al. Plant Dis. 81:1143, 1997.

Value of three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography with SonoVue in the assessment of tubal patency

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the accuracy of transvaginal three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography using SonoVue (3D SonoVue-HyCoSy) in the assessment of Fallopian tubal patency.

METHODS

We recruited 75 infertile patients undergoing 3D SonoVue-HyCoSy before standard diagnostic laparoscopy with chromotubation (lap and dye). Tubal patency was assessed by automated 3D coded contrast imaging (3D SonoVue-HyCoSy), and the findings were compared with the results of lap and dye.

RESULTS

For detecting tubal patency among the 150 Fallopian tubes assessed, 3D SonoVue-HyCoSy had a sensitivity of 93.5%, specificity of 86.3%, positive and negative predictive values of 87.8% and 92.6%, respectively, and diagnostic accuracy of 90.0%. The test-positive rates of 3D SonoVue-HyCoSy vs lap and dye were not significantly different (82/150 vs 77/150, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

3D SonoVue-HyCoSy should be considered clinically valuable as a practical, non-invasive, primary investigatory tool for evaluating tubal patency.

Changes in histone acetylation during oocyte meiotic maturation in the diabetic mouse

Although there is considerable evidence that diabetes can adversely affect meiosis in mammalian oocytes, acetylation status of oocytes in a diabetic environment remains unclear. The objective was to determine acetylation or deacetylation patterns (based on immunostaining) of H3K9, H3K14, H4K5, H4K8, H4K12, and H4K16 sites at various stages during meiosis in murine oocytes from control and diabetic mice. According to quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), mean ± SEM relative expression of Gcn5 (1.70 ± 0.14 at metaphase [M]I and 1.27 ± 0.01 at MII, respectively), Ep300 (1.74 ± 0.04 at MI and 1.80 ± 0.001 at MII), and Pcaf (2.01 ± 0.03 at MI and 1.41 ± 0.18 at MII) mRNA in oocytes from diabetic mice were higher than those from controls (P < 0.05), whereas there was no difference (P > 0.05) during the germinal vesicle (GV) stage between the two groups (1.23 ± 0.04 for Gcn5, 0.82 ± 0.06 for Ep300, and 0.80 ± 0.07 for Pcaf). Conversely, relative mRNA expression concentrations of Hdac1, Hdac2, Hdac3, Sirt1 and Sirt2 during the germinal vesicle stage were lower in oocytes of diabetic mice (0.24 ± 0.03 for Hdac1, 0.11 ± 0.001 for Hdac2, 0.31 ± 0.03 for Hdac3, 0.28 ± 0.02 for Sirt1, and 0.55 ± 0.02 for Sirt2; P < 0.05). Similarly, the expression concentrations of these genes at the MI stage were lower in oocytes from diabetic mice (0.79 ± 0.12 for Hdac1, 0.72 ± 0.001 for Hdac2, 0.02 ± 0.001 for Sirt1, and 0.84 ± 0.08 for Sirt2; P < 0.05). Their expression concentrations at the MII stage were also lower in oocytes from diabetic mice (0.46 ± 0.03 for Hdac1, 0.93 ± 0.01 for Hdac2, 0.56 ± 0.01 for Hdac3, 0.01 ± 0.002 for Sirt1, and 0.84 ± 0.04 for Sirt2; P < 0.05). At the MI stage, however, there was no difference in the expression of Hdac3 between the two groups of oocytes (0.96 ± 0.03; P > 0.05). Taken together, diabetes altered the intracellular histone modification system, which may have contributed to changes in histone acetylation, and may be involved in the compromised maturation rate of oocytes in diabetic humans.

First Report of Cylindrocladium Black Rot of Peanut Caused by Cylindrocladium parasiticum (Teleomorph Calonectria ilicicola) in Jiangxi Province, China

In July 2010, a serious disease of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) resembling Cylindrocladium black rot (CBR) was found in Longnan County, Jiangxi Province, China. Symptoms included chlorotic, yellowish and blighted leaves, and wilting of the plants. Taproots and hypocotyls were blackened and rotted. Clusters of reddish orange spherical fruiting bodies appeared in the lesions present on basal stems, pegs, pods, and roots of peanut. Disease incidence reached as much as 50% in some patches of the field. Plants with symptoms were sampled from fields. Microscopic examination revealed that the reddish orange, spherical fruiting bodies were the perithecia and measured 461.6 (337.5 to 609.4) × 395.5 (309.4 to 496.9) μm. With gentle pressure, asci and ascospores were exuded from perithecia. The asci were hyaline, thin walled, and long stalked. Ascospores were hyaline, falcate with one septum, and measured 43.5 (27.3 to 54.5) × 5.6 (4.1 to 6.8) μm with a length/width (L/W) ratio of 7.8 ± 1.3. A fungus with white-to-pale buff border mycelia and yellowish brown pigment was consistently isolated from the edge of basal stem lesions on potato dextrose agar at 25°C. Mycelia grew at temperatures ranging from 8 to 32°C and the optimum was 25 to 26°C. To determine the species, single-conidial isolates of the fungus were cultured on carnation leaf agar for 7 days at 25°C and 12 h of light/dark conditions. Conidia were hyaline, cylindrical with one to three septa (mostly three septa), and measured 49.3 (27.3 to 70.9) × 5.9 (4.1 to 6.8) μm with L/W ratio of 8.4 ± 1.6. Vesicles were globose and measured 5.5 to 10.9 μm in diameter. The fungus was identified as Cylindrocladium parasiticum (teleomorph Calonectria ilicicola) (1,2). A PCR assay was conducted on one representative isolate (JXLN32) by analyzing multilocus sequences of the TUB2 (coding β-tubulin protein), ACT (coding actin), and CaM gene (coding calmodulin protein) and were amplified and sequenced using the primers reported by Crous et al. (3). Sequences of the studied DNA regions were submitted to GenBank (Accession Nos. TUB2: JF429649; ACT: JQ070809; and CaM: JQ070808). BLAST searches with the existing sequences in GenBank showed that there was 99 to 100% identity with the existing sequences of C. ilicicola (GenBank Accession Nos. TUB2: AY725643; ACT: GQ280446; and CaM: GQ267402). To complete Koch's postulates, inoculum was prepared by mixing the microsclerotia (MS) suspension of the isolate (JXLN32) with soil at a proportion of 10 MS per g of soil. Ten replicate plastic pots containing five peanut seeds (cv. Yueyou 7) each were planted and placed in a glasshouse at 25 ± 2°C. The same number of peanut seeds was used as an uninoculated control. Typical basal stem and roots rot symptoms of CBR were observed in 2 months and C. parasiticum was reisolated from these inoculated diseased plants. No symptoms were detected on the control plants. To our knowledge, this is the first finding of Cylindrocladium black rot in Jiangxi Province, which is the main peanut-producing area in China. The disease has been previously reported in Guangdong Province in southern China but is not known elsewhere (4). Because of its ability to spread through seed and soil and its destructive potential, this pathogen may pose a serious threat to peanut production in China. References: (1) D. K. Bell and E. K. Sobers. Phytopathology 56:1361, 1966. (2) P. W. Crous et al. Mycol. Res. 97:889, 1993. (3) P. W. Crous et al. Stud. Mycol. 50:415, 2004. (4) R. Pan et al. Plant Pathol. 58:1176, 2009.

First Report of Peanut Cylindrocladium Black Rot Caused by Cylindrocladium parasiticum in Fujian Province, Eastern China

During late July and early August of 2010, a serious disease of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) resembling Cylindrocladium black rot (CBR) was found in Longyan City, Fujian Province of Eastern China. Aboveground symptoms were chlorosis and yellowing of leaves, a black rot of the basal stem and pegs, and wilting of the vines. Underground plant parts (including pods, pegs, taproots, and hypocotyls) were blackened and rotted. Orange-to-reddish spherical fruiting bodies appeared on the lesions of the basal stems and pegs of peanut. Disease incidence was approximately 20%. A fungus was consistently isolated from the edge of lesions on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with streptomycin and incubated at 25°C. The fungus produced white-to-pale buff mycelia with a yellowish brown pigment. Optimum growth of the fungus on PDA was at 25 to 30°C. Conidiophores were borne laterally on a stipe that terminated in a hyaline, globose vesicle measuring 5.5 × 10.9 μm in diameter. Conidia were hyaline, cylindrical, rounded at both ends, slightly wider at the base than at the apex, with one to three septa (mostly one septa), and measured 27.3 to 70.9 × 4.1 to 8.2 μm. Orange-to-reddish perithecia were readily formed in old cultures. The perithecia were subglobose to oval or obovate and measured 215.6 to 609.4 × 309.4 to 496.9 μm. The asci were hyaline, clavate, thin walled, long stalked, with each containing eight ascospores. Ascospores were hyaline, falcate, had one septum, and measured 27.3 to 54.5 × 4.1 to 6.8 μm. The fungus was identified as Cylindrocladium parasiticum Crous, M.J. Wingfield, & Alfenas (teleomorph Calonectria ilicicola) (1,2). The beta-tubulin gene fragment was amplified using the T1/Bt2b primers (3) and sequenced. The sequences of three isolates (GenBank Accession Nos. JF343965, JF429656, and JF429657), when compared with existing sequences in GenBank, had 95 to 99% sequence identity with Calonectria ilicicola (GenBank Accession Nos. AY725643 and AY725639). Pathogenicity tests were conducted by first culturing the fungus on wheat kernels for 2 weeks. Inoculated kernels were then used as inoculum and mixed with sterilized soil in a proportion of 1:20 by weight in plastic pots (10 × 9 cm). Noninoculated wheat kernels were mixed with sterilized soil in the same proportion and served as the control. Two-week-old peanut seedlings (cv. Yueyou No. 7) were transplanted into inoculated or noninoculated pots. There were five plants per pot and each treatment was replicated four times. The plants were incubated in a greenhouse at 25 ± 2°C. All of the treated plants exhibited typical basal stem and root rot symptoms of CBR 2 weeks after inoculation, while all of the control plants remained healthy. C. parasiticum was reisolated from the diseased plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CBR on peanut in Fujian Province in Eastern China. The disease has been previously reported in Guangdong Province in Southern China but is not known elsewhere (4). This pathogen may pose a serious threat to peanut production in China, where peanut is an important crop. References: (1) D. K. Bell and E. K. Sobers. Phytopathology 56:1361, 1966. (2) P. W. Crous et al. Mycol. Res. 97:889, 1993. (3) P. W. Crous et al. Can. J. Bot. 77:1813, 1999. (4) R. Pan et al. Plant Pathol. 58:1176, 2009.

First Report of Nectria haematococca Causing Stem Rot of Soybean in China

In October 2010, soybean (Glycine max) plants growing in commercial soybean fields in Zengcheng City, Guangdong Province developed symptoms consisting of stem and root rot, yellowing, and defoliation of leaves. Reddish, spherical fruiting bodies appeared in lesions that developed on stems. Plants with symptoms were sampled from fields. Fruiting bodies were excised from diseased tissues. Microscopic examination revealed that they were perithecia, globose to pyriform, and measured 197 to 260 μm in diameter and 226 to 358 μm long. When squeezed gently, cylindrical to clavate asci, 7.2 to 9.6 μm in diameter and 75.4 to 92.0 μm long, containing eight ascospores were exuded from the perithecia. Ascospores were ellipsoid to obovate, two celled, slightly constricted at the septum, had longitudinal striations, and measured 4.9 to 6.0 μm in diameter and 10.6 to 15.0 μm long. The fungus was isolated from the basal stem tissues of diseased soybean plants and cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium amended with streptomycin sulfate. On PDA, the culture developed into blue-pigmented colonies with whitish mycelium that produced oval to cylindrical microconidia. Microconidia had 0 to 1 septum, ranged from 2.5 to 5.2 × 7.6 to 29.4 μm, and were produced on monophialides. Macroconidia were cylindrical to falcate, thick walled, 2 to 5 septa, and 3.5 to 6.0 × 25.4 to 66.8 μm. Chlamydospores were present and ranged from 6.8 to 13.6 × 5.5 to 9.5 μm. Orange-to-reddish perithecia were readily formed in old culture. These morphological characteristics were consistent with descriptions of Nectria haematococca (anamorph Fusarium solani) (1). The rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the fragment of translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-α) genes of the fungus were amplified, respectively, with universal primers ITS1/ITS4 and ef1/ef2 primers and sequenced. BLAST searches showed that the ITS sequences of three isolates (GenBank Accession Nos. JN015069, JN190942, and JN190943) had 99% similarity with those of N. haematococca(GenBank Accession Nos. DQ535186, DQ535185, and DQ535183) and the EF1-α sequences of three isolates (GenBank Accession Nos. JN874641, JN874642, and JN874643) had 100% similarity with those of F. solani (GenBank Accession Nos. DQ247265 and DQ247327). Completion of Koch's postulates confirmed the pathogenicity of the isolates in a replicated experiment. Thirty-day-old soybean seedlings of cultivar Huaxia No. 3 were inoculated by soaking their root systems in a conidial suspension (10⁶ conidia per ml) for 30 min and then transplanted in plastic pots (20 cm in diameter) and incubated at 25 ± 2°C in a greenhouse. Control plants were treated with sterile water in the same way. There were four plants per pot and there were six replicates for each treatment. Within 3 weeks, more than 70% of the inoculated plants exhibited symptoms of leaf yellowing, stem rot, and root rots while control plants were symptomless. N. haematococca was reisolated from the diseased plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of N. haematococca causing stem rot of soybean in China and the first description of sexual reproduction of F. solani causing soybean stem rot in nature. This pathogen may pose a serious threat to soybean production in China where soybean is a main crop. Reference: (1) C. Booth. The Genus Fusarium. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 1971.

First Report of Peanut Foot Rot Caused by Neocosmospora vasinfecta var. africana in Jiangxi Province, China

From June 2009 to November 2010, a disease was observed on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, China. Infected plants initially exhibited yellow leaves, then defoliated, and finally wilted and died. Basal stems, pegs, pods, and roots became black and rotted, with many orange-brown spherical fruiting bodies emerging on the lesions. Disease incidence reached as high as 30% in some plots, especially in those covered with plastic sheets after planting to control weeds. Isolations from 68 diseased plants were conducted on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with streptomycin sulfate and incubated at 25°C. A fungus was consistently isolated from the edge of the lesions. Mycelia grew at a linear rate of 3.9 mm per day on PDA at 25°C forming a pale buff, floccose colony with abundant orange-red perithecia. Perithecia were globose to pyriform, ostiolate and with a short neck, and measured 151 to 353 × 141 to 313 μm. Asci were narrowly cylindrical to clavate, thin walled with a short stalk, measured 100 to 160 μm high and 9 to 15 μm in diameter, and were eight spored. Ascospores were uniseriately arranged, globose to ellipsoid, nonseptate, thick walled, hyaline to pale yellow, and measured 7 to 16 × 7 to 12 μm. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the wall of the ascospores had cerebriform ornamentation. Conidia were cylindrical to oblong-ellipsoidal, hyaline, most one celled, and measured 3 to 15 × 1 to 5 μm, aggregating in a gelatinous mass on the tip of the conidiogenous cell, which usually arose directly from the vegetative mycelium. The fungus was identified as Neocosmospora vasinfecta var. africana (anamorph Acremonium sp.) (1). The rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the fungus was amplified with universal primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced. The sequences of a representative isolate (No. N-JXLN02) were submitted to GenBank (Accession No. JF708085) and BLAST searches showed 99 to 100% similarity with sequences of N. vasinfecta deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. HM461900, HM461901, and AY381142 ). Pathogenicity tests were conducted on 36 2-week-old peanut seedlings, cv. Yueyou No. 13, in plastic pots. Plants were inoculated by drenching the soil near the shoot with a mixed suspension of conidia and ascospores (10⁵ spores per ml). Control plants were treated with sterile water. All plants were then incubated in a moist chamber at 25 ± 2°C. Fifteen days after inoculation, all inoculated plants showed lesions on basal stems and black root rot similar to that observed on naturally infected plants. No disease was observed on control plants. The pathogen was reisolated from infected tissues. To our knowledge, this is the first finding of Neocosmospora foot rot of peanut in Jiangxi Province, where outbreaks of this disease have been observed in several counties. The pathogen will pose a threat to peanut, which is a major oil crop in China. It has been previously reported in Taiwan (2) and recently in Guangdong Province, though the subspecies of the pathogen was not identified in the latter case (3). References: (1) P. F. Cannon and D. L. Hawksworth. Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 82:673, 1984. (2) J. W. Huang et al. Plant Pathol. Bull. 1:203, 1992. (3) R. Pan et al. Plant Pathol. 59:1172, 2010.

Association analyses suggest the effects of RANK and RANKL on age at menarche in Chinese women

OBJECTIVES

Age at menarche (AAM), the time of the first menstrual bleeding, is an important developmental milestone in the female life. It marks the beginning of the reproductive period. AAM is implicated in the risk of many health complications in later life. In this study, we conducted an analysis for association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and common haplotypes of two candidate genes, RANK (receptor activator of the NF-κB) and RANKL (receptor activator of the NF-κB ligand), with AAM in 825 unrelated Chinese women.

METHODS

In total, 73 SNPs of RANKL and 23 SNPs of RANK were genotyped. The SNPs and common haplotypes were then analyzed for their association with AAM. Age and age( 2 ) were used as covariates.

RESULTS

We found five individual SNPs (rs7239261, rs8094884, rs3826620, rs8089829, and rs9956850) of RANK significantly associated with AAM (p < 0.05). Although no significant association was identified for the RANKL gene, three polymorphisms showed nearly significant (0.05 < p < 0.08) association with AAM. Seven haplotypes of RANK were significantly associated with AAM (p < 0.05); the most significant association of the AT haplotype composed by rs1805034 and rs4524034 (p = 9.4 × 10(-4)) remained significant (p = 0.0235) after the Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. Three haplotypes of RANKL were significantly associated with AAM (p < 0.05). Importantly, the association of rs3826620 replicated our previous findings for Caucasian females.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study suggest that the RANK and RANKL are two candidate genes for AAM in Chinese women.

First Report of Soybean Neocosmospora Stem Rot Caused by Neocosmospora vasinfecta var. vasinfecta in China

During October 2009, the occurrence of a disease on soybean (Glycine max) was observed in several fields in Boluo County and Zengcheng City, Guangdong Province. Top leaves of infected plants initially turned yellow and plants eventually were defoliated, while stems and roots became black and rotted. The stem lesions sometimes extended 10 to 15 cm upward from the soil surface. Orange-to-brown spherical fruiting bodies, which were very similar with those of the soybean red crown rot pathogen, scattered or congregated on the stem lesions. Plants with symptoms were sampled from fields. Fruiting bodies were excised from diseased tissues. Microscopic examination revealed that they were perithecia, globose to pyriform, ostiolate with a short neck, and measured 160 to 298 × 151 to 235 μm. Under gentle pressure, asci and ascospores were exuded from these perithecia. Asci were eight spored, narrowly cylindrical to clavate, thin walled, with a short stalk, and measured 58 to 124 μm long and 8 to 15 μm in diameter. Ascospores were uniseriately arranged, globose to ellipsoid, thick walled, one celled, hyaline to pale, and measured 14 to 17 × 8 to 12 μm. Isolation was made from stem tissues at the edge of disease lesions on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with streptomycin sulfate and incubated at 25°C. Mycelia were white and floccose. Conidia were cylindrical to oblong-ellipsoidal, hyaline, one celled, and measured 6 to 22 × 2 to 5 μm, aggregating in a slimy mass on the apex of the conidiogenous cell. Abundant orange-to-brown spherical perithecia were produced on the colony. Ascospores had walls with a rugose ornamentation that could be clearly seen under a scanning electron microscope. The fungus was identified as Neocosmospora vasinfecta var. vasinfecta (anamorph Acremonium sp.) (1). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA of two isolates were amplified with universal primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JF705861 and JF705862), and comparisons with GenBank accessions showed 99% similarity with N. vasinfecta strain Pec070 (Accession No. FJ940902) and strain NRRL22497 (Accession No. AY381142). Pathogenicity tests were conducted. Five, 3-week-old seedlings of soybean cv. Huaxia No. 3 planted in plastic pots (20 cm in diameter) were wounded with a needle at the base of the stem below the soil line and near the root system, and then inoculated by drenching the soil with a conidial suspension (10⁵ per ml). Control plants were inoculated with sterile water. There were six replicates for each treatment. The treated plants were incubated at 25 ± 2°C in a greenhouse. All inoculated plants exhibited symptoms of leaf yellowing and black rot of stems and roots 3 weeks after inoculation. N. vasinfecta var. vasinfecta was reisolated from the diseased plants. All control plants remained healthy. To our knowledge, this is the first observation of Neocosmospora stem rot of soybean in China. The pathogen could pose a threat to soybean, which is a major crop in China. This disease has been previously reported in the United States though the anamorph of the pathogen has either not been identified or has been identified as a Cylindrocarpon sp. (2,4). This fungus is also associated with human infections (3). References: (1) P. F. Cannon and D. L. Hawksworth. Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 82:673, 1984. (2) F. A. Gray et al. Plant Dis. 64:321, 1980. (3) P. Manikandan et al. Med. Mycol. 46:279, 2008. (4) D. V. Phillips. Phytopathology 62:612, 1972.

First Report of Red Crown Rot Caused by Cylindrocladium parasiticum on Soybean in Guangdong, Southern China

In October 2006, occurrence of a disease on soybean (Glycine max) was observed in Guangdong Province of southern China with symptoms resembling red crown rot (3,4). Reddish brown lesions girdled the basal stems with numerous reddish orange perithecia on the lesion surface. Roots became black and rotted and whole plants wilted and died. More recently, outbreaks of this disease were observed in several counties in Guangdong. Disease incidence reached as much as 80% on cv. Huaxia 3 in some fields, causing severe yield losses. Isolation was made from the edge of lesions on potato dextrose agar at 25°C. The fungus produced white, aerial mycelia and a burnt orange-to-dark brown submerged growth. Conidiophores were borne laterally on a stipe, terminating in a hyaline, globose vesicle measuring 4.0 to 13.0 μm in diameter. After branching from the stipe, the conidiophore continued to develop by forming two to three single-celled branches. These cells might give rise to two or three shorter branches (14.8 to 36.9 μm long) and phialides. The phialides were doliform, nonseptate, and measured 7.4 to 19.7 × 3.7 to 4.9 μm. Conidia were hyaline, cylindrical with one to three septa (mostly three septa), and measured 54.1 to 76.3 × 4.9 to 7.4 μm. Perithecia were orange to red, subglobose to oval or globose, 212.1 to 454.5 μm high, and 111.1 to 333.3 μm wide. Asci were hyaline, clavate, thin walled, long stalked, measured 121.0 to 200.8 × 11.5 to 25.6 μm, and each contained eight ascospores that became aggregated in the upper half of the ascus at maturity. The ascospores were hyaline, fusoid to falcate with one to three septa (mostly with one septum), constricted slightly at the septum, and measured 29.5 to 73.8 × 4.9 to 9.8 μm. The fungus was identified as Cylindrocladium parasiticum (teleomorph Calonectria ilicicola) (1,2). The beta-tubulin gene fragment sequences of three isolates were obtained (one sequence being GenBank Accession No. GU073284) and comparisons with GenBank showed 99 to 100% similarity with Calonectria ilicicola (EF159730 and AY725643). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculation of 2-week-old seedlings of cv. Huaxia 3 in plastic pots (10 × 9 cm) by drenching with a conidia suspension (10⁵ conidia per ml). All inoculated plants showed similar red crown rot symptoms on stem bases and roots 1 week after inoculation. C. parasiticum was reisolated from the diseased plants, and many orange-to-red perithecia of Calonectria ilicicola were formed on the lesions 3 weeks after inoculation. This pathogen may pose a serious threat to >300,000 ha of soybean production as well as >300,000 ha of peanut production in Guangdong Province. It has been previously reported in Jiangsu Province in eastern China (3) and Yunnan Province in western China (4). References: (1) D. K. Bell, and E. K. Sobers. Phytopathology 56:1361, 1966. (2) P. W. Crous et al. Mycol. Res. 97:889, 1993. (3) J. Y. Gai et al. Soybean Sci. (in Chinese) 11:113, 1992. (4) Z. H. Ma et al. Plant Pathol. 53:537, 2004.

Coral larvae conservation: Physiology and reproduction

Coral species throughout the world's oceans are facing severe environmental pressures. We are interested in conserving coral larvae by means of cryopreservation, but little is known about their cellular physiology or cryobiology. These experiments examined cryoprotectant toxicity, dry weight, water and cryoprotectant permeability using cold and radiolabeled glycerol, spontaneous ice nucleation temperatures, chilling sensitivity, and settlement of coral larvae. Our two test species of coral larvae, Pocillopora damicornis (lace coral), and Fungia scutaria (mushroom coral) demonstrated a wide tolerance to cryoprotectants. Computer-aided morphometry determined that F. scutaria larvae were smaller than P. damicornis larvae. The average dry weight for P. damicornis was 24.5%, while that for F. scutaria was 17%, yielding osmotically inactive volumes (V(b)) of 0.22 and 0.15, respectively. The larvae from both species demonstrated radiolabeled glycerol uptake over time, suggesting they were permeable to the glycerol. Parameter fitting of the F. scutaria larvae data yielded a water permeability 2 microm/min/atm and a cryoprotectant permeability = 2.3 x 10(-4) cm/min while modeling indicated that glycerol reached 90% of final concentration in the larvae within 25 min. The spontaneous ice nucleation temperature for F. scutaria larvae in filtered seawater was -37.8+/-1.4 degrees C. However, when F. scutaria larvae were chilled from room temperature to -11 degrees C at various rates, they exhibited 100% mortality. When instantly cooled from room temperature to test temperatures, they showed damage below 10 degrees C. These data suggest that they are sensitive to both the rate of chilling and the absolute temperature, and indicate that vitrification may be the only means to successfully cryopreserve these organisms. Without prior cryopreservation, both species of coral settled under laboratory conditions.

Reuse of fresh water sludge in cement making

With the increasing demand for high quality water, a large quantity of chemical agent must be added in the water purification process, which in turn generates enormous amount of fresh water sludge. Of all the options for sludge disposal, sludge reuse has been considered most economical and environmentally sound. This study evaluated the possibility of incorporating fresh water sludge in the making of Portland cement through the sintering process. The goal was to search for the optimal condition to maximize the replacement of clay with the fresh water sludge. Characteristics of fresh water sludge were collected and analyzed. The analysis showed that water source and water treatment process dominate th characteristics, particularly the chemical composition of the fresh water sludge. The fresh water sludge was mixed with the cement clay in various percentages, from 0% to 100%, as raw material for cement-making. The effects of its addition on the sintering condition and the quality of cement were evaluated. The analysis of the clinkers showed that the addition of the fresh water sludge did not change the phase form and the f-CaO content of the cement. The compressive strength of the masonry increased with the increasing addition of fresh water sludge. All cement products made from various replacement ratios met the Chinese National Standard of first degree Portland cement.

Activation of nuclear factor-kappa b transcriptional activity in airway epithelial cells by thioredoxin but not by N-acetyl-cysteine and glutathione

Increasing evidence indicates that intracellular redox status modulates the activity of various transcriptional factors, including nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B and activator protein-1. Our laboratory has been interested in characterizing the role thioredoxin (TRX) plays in regulating cellular redox status in airway epithelium. TRX is a small, ubiquitous protein with two redox-active half-cysteine residues, -Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys, in its active center. Using primary passage-1 human tracheobronchial epithelial cell cultures and an immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell line, HBE1, we observed that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha enhanced NF-kappa B transcriptional activity. This observation was based on gel mobility shift assays and interleukin (IL)-8 promoter-reporter gene transfection studies. TNF-alpha activation coincided with translocation of NF-kappa B p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Pretreatment with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) (1 to 10 mM) or glutathione (1 to 10 mM) inhibited TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappa B transcriptional activity and IL-8 promoter-mediated reporter gene expression. In contrast, elevated TRX protein levels in cells enhanced TNF-alpha-dependent NF-kappa B transcriptional activity and IL-8 promoter activity. This observation was independent of the manner in which TRX was elevated in cells (e.g., by cotransfection with a FLAG-TRX expression clone, or by direct exposure to commercially available human TRX protein). Localization of TRX protein by anti-TRX antibody indicated an accumulation of TRX protein in the nucleus after TNF-alpha treatment. The nuclear localization phenomenon was different from the major cytosolic accumulation of glutathione and NAC. This is the first known report demonstrating movement of TRX into the nucleus of airway epithelial cells after an inflammatory stress. These results suggest a compartment effect of thiol chemicals in the regulation of redox-dependent transcriptional activity.

Cranial penetration injury caused by a reinforcing steel bar

One case of cranial penetration injury was reported caused by a reinforcing steel bar. The patient was well cured and discharged. After six years of follow-up, the patient had good functional recovery.

Protective effect of ischemic preconditioning on liver

OBJECTIVE

To study the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on the hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury.

METHODS

The model of rat liver subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury was made. All 24 mice were divided randomly into 3 groups and anesthetized by 2% sodium pentobarbital (30-40 mg/kg). The enzyme activity of AST, ALT, LDH, SOD and the content of LPO were assayed respectively. Specimens were observed under transmission electron microscope.

RESULTS

IPC prevented the increase of ALT, AST and LDH in the blood and that of LPO in the tissues (P<0.05), and maintained high level of SOD in the tissues (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

IPC has protective effect on the liver function.

A lysine residue involved in the inhibition of vacuolar H(+)-pyrophosphatase by fluorescein 5'-isothiocyanate

Vacuolar proton pumping pyrophosphatase (H(+)-PPase; EC 3.6.1.1) plays a central role in the electrogenic translocation of protons from cytosol to the vacuole lumen at the expense of PP(i) hydrolysis. A fluorescent probe, fluorescein 5'-isothiocyanate (FITC), was used to modify a lysine residue of vacuolar H(+)-PPase. The enzymatic activity and its associated H(+) translocation of vacuolar H(+)-PPase were markedly decreased by FITC in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibition of enzymatic activity followed pseudo-first-order rate kinetics. A double-logarithmic plot of the apparent reaction rate constant against FITC concentration yielded a straight line with a slope of 0.89, suggesting that the alteration of a single lysine residue on the enzyme is sufficient to inhibit vacuolar H(+)-PPase. Changes in K(m) but not V(max) values of vacuolar H(+)-PPase as inhibited by FITC were obtained, indicating that the labeling caused a modification in affinity of the enzyme to its substrate. FITC inhibition of vacuolar H(+)-PPase could be protected by its physiological substrate, Mg(2+)-PP(i). These results indicate that FITC might specifically compete with the substrate at the active site and the FITC-labeled lysine residue locates probably in or near the catalytic domain of the enzyme. The enhancement of fluorescence intensity and the blue shift of the emission maximum of FITC after modification of vacuolar H(+)-PPase suggest that the FITC-labeled lysine residue is located in a relatively hydrophobic region.

[Effects of lotensin and nitrendipine on plasma fibrinogen and platelet aggregation in hypertensive patients]

Plasma fibrinogen and platelet aggregation were measured by turbidimetric immunoassay, turbidimetry in 47 hypertensive patients and 20 normotensive control subjects. Among the 47 hypertensives, 24 cases were received lotensin and 23 nitrendipine. The plasma fibrinogen was increased and platelet aggregation enhanced in hypertensive patients before treatment. Platelet aggregation decreased after 8 weeks of treatment with lotensin or nitrendipine respectively. Lotensin decreased plasma fibrinogen whereas nitrendipine did not. It was concluded that both lotensin and nitrendipine decreased platelet aggregation; lotensin decreased plasma fibrinogen but nitrendipine did not.

Distinct roles for amino- and carboxyl-terminal sequences of SPRR1 protein in the formation of cross-linked envelopes of conducting airway epithelial cells

The small proline-rich protein, SPRR1, is a marker gene whose expression in conducting airway epithelium is elevated under a variety of conditions that enhance squamous differentiation. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the nature of the SPRR1 sequence involved in cross-linked envelope formation in a tissue/cell type, such as conducting airway epithelium, that normally does not express squamous function except after injury or maintenance in culture. For this, a Flag-SPRR1 fusion protein expression system has been developed. Using the liposome-mediated gene transfer technique on passage 1 culture of human tracheobronchial epithelial (TBE) cells, the Flag-SPRR1 fusion protein can be expressed and detected immunologically by both anti-Flag and anti-SPRR1 antibodies. The incorporation of Flag-SPRR1 fusion protein into cross-linked envelopes can be demonstrated when transfected human passage 1 TBE cultures are treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and high calcium (1.5 mM). By deletion and site-directed mutagenesis, two distinct roles of the amino- and carboxyl-terminal sequences of SPRR1 have been demonstrated. First, we demonstrated that the amino-terminal sequence of SPRR1 protein is required for the incorporation of the fusion protein into cross-linked envelopes, whereas a deletion on the carboxyl-terminal region or on the middle repetitive unit has no effect. Interestingly, insertion of a 24-amino acid peptide of monkey MUC2 repetitive sequence in the amino-terminus of SPRR1 protein had a stimulatory effect. Site-directed mutagenesis on the following amino acid residues, Lys(7), Gln(88), and Lys(89), which were found previously to participate in the cross-linked envelope formation of keratinocytes, had no detrimental effect on the incorporation. However, mutations on Gln clusters, such as Gln(4)-Gln(6) and Gln(22)-Gln(25), had detrimental effects on the incorporation. These results suggest an amino-terminal sequence-dependent and multiple cross-linked sites for the incorporation of Flag-SPRR1 fusion protein into cross-linked envelopes of cultured human TBE cells. Second, we demonstrated that the carboxyl terminus of SPRR1 protein is required for a high level of Flag-fusion protein expression. A deletion in the carboxyl region or a mutation on the last lysine residue of the carboxyl end had a detrimental effect on the level of Flag-SPRR1 fusion protein expressed in transfected cells. In contrast, there was only a slight decrease in the level of expression if the amino-terminus was deleted. Interestingly, the efficiency for fusion protein to incorporate into cross-linked envelopes was elevated by the mutation at the carboxyl end. These results suggest distinct roles, perhaps coordinately, for both amino- and carboxyl-terminal sequences in the regulation of the life cycle of SPRR1 protein in cultured TBE cells.