Transcription factor OsMADS25 improves rice tolerance to cold stress

Cold stress is the limiting factor of rice growth and production, and it is important to clone cold stress tolerant genes and cultivate cold tolerance rice varieties. The MADS transcription factors play an important role in abiotic stress signaling in rice. This study showed that OsMADS25 was up-regulated by low temperature and abscisic acid (ABA), suggesting that OsMADS25 may be involved in ABA-dependent signaling. The OsMADS25 overexpression vector, pCambia1300-221-OsMADS25-Flag, was constructed and introduced into the rice variety Zhonghua 11 (ZH11) through Agrobacterium tumefacian-mediated genetic transformation. Two homozygous lines with high expression levels were selected for phenotypic identification. OsMADS25 overexpression lines show significantly improved cold stress tolerance and the sensitivity to ABA at the seedling stage of rice. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) staining. After treatment with cold stress, little ROS accumulation was observed in OsMADS25 overexpression lines compared to wild-type ZH11. In conclusion, OsMADS25 plays a role in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and could improve rice tolerance to cold stress involved in ABA-dependent pathway.

Genetic variation in WDR1 is associated with gout risk and gout-related metabolic indices in the Han Chinese population

Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis affecting men, and current evidence suggests that genetic factors contribute to its progression. As a previous study identified that WD40 repeat protein 1 (WDR1) is associated with gout in populations of European descent, we sought to investigate its relationship with this disease in the Han Chinese population. We genotyped six WDR1 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 143 gout cases and 310 controls using Sequenom MassARRAY technology. The SPSS 16.0 software was used to perform statistical analyses. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression, with adjustments for age and gender. In an analysis using an allelic model, we identified that the minor alleles of rs3756230 (OR = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.450-0.911, P = 0.013) and rs12498927 (OR = 1.377, 95%CI = 1.037-1.831, P = 0.027) were associated with gout risk. In addition, we found that the "A/A" genotype of rs12498927 was associated with increased risk of gout under codominant (OR = 2.22, 95%CI = 1.12- 4.40, P = 0.042) and recessive models (OR = 2.24, 95%CI = 1.20-4.17, P = 0.012). We also determined the "A/G" genotype of rs12498927 to be significantly associated with higher urea levels in gout patients (P = 0.017). Our data shed new light on the association between genetic variations in the WDR1 gene and gout susceptibility in the Han Chinese population.

Genetic polymorphisms in very important pharmacogenomic (VIP) variants in the Tibetan population

Genetic polymorphisms of very important pharmacogenomic (VIP) variants are important for personalized medicine. However, these have not been extensively studied in the Tibetan population. In this study, 82 VIP variants were detected in the Tibetan and Han (HAN) populations from northwestern China. Subsequently, we compared the differences between the Tibetan population and ten populations, including the HAN, Japanese in Tokyo (JPT), Mexican ancestry in Los Angeles (MEX), Toscans in Italy (TSI), African ancestry in Southwest USA (ASW), Luhya in California Webuye, Kenya (LWK), Gujarati Indians in Houston, Texas (GIH), Maasai in Kinyawa, Kenya (MKK), Yoruba in Ibadan, Nigeria (YRI), and Utah residents with Northern and Western European ancestry from the CEPH collection (CEU). Using the χ(2) test, we identified differences in the frequency distribution of 4, 4, 7, 10, 11, 11, 13, 15, 19, and 20 loci in the Tibetan population, compared to the HAN, JPT, MEX, TSI, ASW, LWK, GIH, MKK, YRI, and CEU populations, respectively [P < 0.05/(82*10)]. rs2115819, rs9934438, and rs689466, located in the ALOX5 (arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase), VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex, subunit 1) and PTGS2 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2) genes, respectively, in the Tibetan population were different from those in most of the populations. Our results complement the information provided by the database of pharmacogenomics on Tibetan people, and provide an avenue for personalized treatment in the Tibetan population.

SLC2A9 and ZNF518B polymorphisms correlate with gout-related metabolic indices in Chinese Tibetan populations

Current evidence suggests that heredity and metabolic syndrome contribute to gout progression. SLC2A9 and ZNF518B may play a role in gout progression in different populations, but no studies have focused on the Tibetan Chinese population. In this study, we determined whether variations in these 2 genes were correlated with gout-related indices in Chinese-Tibetan gout patients. We detected 6 single nucleotide polymorphisms in SLC2A9 and ZNF518B in 319 Chinese Tibetan gout patients. One-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate the polymorphisms' effects on gout based on mean serum levels of metabolism indicators. Polymorphisms in SLC2A9 and ZNF518B affected multiple risk factors related to gout development. Significant differences in serum triglyceride levels and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level were detected between different genotypic groups with SLC2A9 polymorphisms rs13129697 (P = 0.022), rs4447863 (P = 0.018), and rs1014290 (P = 0.045). Similarly in ZNF518B, rs3217 (P = 0.016) and rs10016022 (P = 0.046) were associated with high creatinine and glucose levels, respectively. This study is the first to investigate and identify positive correlations between SLC2A9 and ZNF518B gene polymorphisms and metabolic indices in Tibetan gout patients. We found significant evidence indicating that genetic polymorphisms affect gout-related factors in Chinese Tibetan populations.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of a new bilin lyase: the cpcT gene encoding a bilin lyase responsible for attachment of phycocyanobilin to Cys-153 on the β-subunit of phycocyanin in Arthrospira platensis FACHB314

To study the assembly of phycocyanin β subunit, the gene cpcT was first cloned from Arthrospira platensis FACHB314. To explore the function of cpcT, the DNA of phycocyanin β subunit and cpcT were transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 with the plasmid pET-hox1-pcyA, which contained the genes hemeoxygenase 1 (Hox1) and ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PcyA) needed to produce phycocyanobilin. The transformed strains showed specific phycocyanin fluorescence, and the fluorescence intensity was stronger than the strains with only phycocyanin β subunit, indicating that CpcT can promote the assembly of phycocyanin to generate fluorescence. To study the possible binding sites of apo-phycocyanin and phycocyanobilin, the Cys-82 and Cys-153 of the β subunit were individually mutated, giving two kinds of mutants. The results show that Cys-153 maybe the active site for β subunit binding to phycocyanobilins, which is catalyzed by CpcT in A. platensis FACHB314.

Indication of the expression of transgene in rice plant based on hyperspectral remote sensing technique II--growth monitoring of samples in the contrast experiment

Since the complication of monitoring and evaluating the problems about the transgenic expression and its impacts on the receptor in the transgenic crop breeding and other relevant evaluated works, the authors in the present work tried to assess the differences of spectral parameters of the transgenic rice in contrast with its parent group quantitatively and qualitatively, fulfilling the growth monitoring of the transgenic samples. The spectral parameters (spectral morphological characteristics and indices) chosen are highly related to internal or external stresses to the receipts, and thus could be applied as indicators of biophysical or biochemical processes changes of plant. By ASD portable field spectroradiometer with high-density probe, fine foliar spectra of 8 groups were obtained. By analyzing spectral angle and continuum removal, the spectral morphological differences and their locations of sample spectra were found which could be as auxiliary priori knowledge for quantitative analysis. By investigating spectral indices of the samples, the quantitative differences of spectra were revealed about foliar chlorophyll a+b and carotenoid content. In this study both the spectral differences between transgenic and parent groups and among transgenic groups were investigated. The results show that hyperspectral technique is promising and a helpful auxiliary tool in the study of monitoring the transgenic crop and other relevant researches. By this technique, quantitative and qualitative results of sample spectra could be provided as prior knowledge, as certain orientation, for laboratory professional advanced transgenic breeding study.

Measurement of directional thermal properties of biomaterials

This paper presents an experimental technique to measure the directional thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of materials. A heated thermistor heats the sample and a sensing thermistor placed about 2.5 mm away measures the temperature rise due the heating pulse at the heated thermistor. An empirical relation between the power delivered by the first thermistor and the temperature rise recorded by the sensing thermistor is used to measure the thermal conductivity of the material along the line joining the thermistors. Diffusivity of the material is determined from the delay between the power pulse in the heated thermistor and the temperature pulse at the sensing thermistor. Signal processing was done to eliminate errors in the measurement due to change of base line temperature. Uncertainty of the measurement technique was found to be 5% when tested in media of known thermal properties. The thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of swine left ventricle in normal and ablated conditions were measured using this technique. The thermal conductivity of the tissue dropped significantly from 0.61 to 0.50 W.m(-1).K(-1) after ablation while the diffusivity dropped from 2.1 x 10(-7) to 1.7 x 10(-7)m2.s(-1).

Morphometry of the canine prostate vasculature

Morphometric data of the tissue vasculature are fundamental to the development of models for blood perfused tissue mass and heat transfer. Vascular casts of six canine prostates were made and morphometry was performed on 14 transverse sections. The region sampled was restricted to the midsection within the parenchyma. General vascular features that were observed include the radially arranged arteries and veins within the parenchyma, the axially oriented periurethral venous plexae, and the parenchymal arteries ramifying less than the veins. The arterial and venous lumen diameters (mean +/- SD) are 84 +/- 31 (N = 42) and 125 +/- 51 (N = 117), respectively. The lengths for a single vessel generation are 2147 +/- 1196 microm (N = 14) and 1265 +/- 693 microm (N = 39) for the arteries and veins, respectively. Intervessel distances are 4056 +/- 2350 microm (N = 33) between arteries, 1526 +/- 982 microm (N = 330) between veins, and 1498 +/- 874 microm (N = 108) between arteries and veins. A simple vasculature model of evenly distributed vessels imbedded in tissue for heat transfer analysis was developed. The artery-artery distance being about three times that of the vein-vein distance suggested a rete-like configuration of arteries surrounded by veins. An effective distance of 1519 microm between vessels was used. Based upon this vasculature model, the vessel density was calculated to be 5.6 arteries/cm(2) and 44.5 veins/cm(2).

A two-year study of acceptability, side effects, and effectiveness of Norplant and Norplant-2 implants in the People's Republic of China

A large scale, phased investigation of NORPLANT contraceptive systems was conducted in the People's Republic of China. The first phase comprehended 1,200 women in four cities. Expanded trials included 11,918 women at 12 major centers and at sub-centers by 31 May 1987. At that date 4,676 NORPLANT capsule subjects and 1,089 rod subjects had completed one year of use, 1,381 capsule acceptors had completed two years as had 197 rod users. Gross pregnancy rates were less than 0.1 per 100 for each implant type both at one and at two years. Continuation rates were 94 per 100 for each implant type at one year, and were 82.0 and 83.6 per 100 among users of NORPLANT capsule and rod implants, respectively, at two years. Disruption of menstrual function was the dominant reason for termination, but mean hemoglobin levels increased in each of the nine centers reporting values at admission and at one year. First year gross cumulative termination rates for medical reasons were 1.2 to 1.3 per 100, reaching 3.8 and 5.6 per 100 for capsule and rod implants, respectively, at two years. Microdose contraception with these levonorgestrel-releasing implants appears to be a highly acceptable and effective modality suitable for Chinese women. NORPLANT implants are now approved by the national drug regulatory agency for general use in China.