[Biological function and clinical significance of long non-coding RNA LINC00342 in head and neck squamous carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the long-non-coding RNA LINC00342 expression and the clinicopathological parameters of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the biological function of LINC00342 in HNSCC cells. Methods: The expression level of LINC00342 in the HNSCC was analyzed using transcriptome sequencing data from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database, and the expressions of LINC00342 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues (LSCC) of 27 patients in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were detected by transcriptome sequencing. The expression levels of LINC00342 in human embryonic lung diploid cells 2BS, HNSCC cell lines FD-LSC-1, CAL-27 and Detroit562 were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RNAi (RNA interference) was used for LINC00342 knockdown in HNSCC cell lines, and the changes of malignant phenotype in the tumor cells after LINC00342 knockdown were examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, flow cytometry, transwell invasion and migration assays. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to construct a LINC00342-centered competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network, and GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analysis was performed. Statistical analysis and graphing were performed using SPSS 25.0 software and GraphPad Prism 6 software. Results: Mean LINC00342 levels in HNSCC tissues and TCGA database were higher than that in normal control tissues, but with no significantly statistical difference (P=0.522). LINC00342 expression levels were positively correlated with cervical lymph node metastasis and pathological grade in patients with HNSCC, with higher expression in male patients than in female patients (P<0.05). Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that mean expression level of LINC00342 in LSCC tissues of 27 patients was significantly higher than that in the paired adjacent normal mucosa tissues (t=1.56, P=0.036). LINC00342 expression was significantly upregulated in HNSCC cell lines FD-LSC-1, CAL-27 and Detroit562 (t-values of -12.17, -23.26 and -388.57, respectively; all P<0.001). Knockdown of LINC00342 by transfecting si-LINC00342-1 and si-LINC00342-2 inhibited HNSCC cell proliferation (t-values of 8.95 and 4.84, 2.70 and 5.55, 2.02 and 3.70, respectively), colony formation (t-values of 6.66 and 6.17, 7.38 and 11.65, 4.90 and 5.79, respectively), migration (t-values of 8.21 and 7.19, 5.76 and 6.46, 6.28 and 9.92, respectively) and invasion abilities (t-values of 9.29 and 10.25, 11.30 and 11.36, 8.02 and 8.66, respectively), but promoting apoptosis in cell lines FD-LSC-1 and CAL-27 (t-values of -2.21 and -5.83, -3.05 and -5.25 respectively) (all P-values<0.05). The LINC00342-centered ceRNA network consists of 10 downregulated microRNA and 647 upregulated mRNA nodes. GO analysis results indicated that LINC00342-regulated mRNAs were enriched in 22 biological processes, 32 molecular functions, and 12 cellular components. Conclusion: High level of LINC00342 is associated with the malignant progression of HNSCC. LINC00342 promotes the proliferation, migration, invasion, and antagonizes apoptosis of HNSCC cells, which serves as a potential molecular marker in HNSCC.

[Prognostic values of stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and lymphocyte-activation gene-3 in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma]

Objective: To analyze density of stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (sTIL) and expression of lymphocyte-activation gene-3 (LAG-3) protein in advanced gastric adenocarcinomas, and to investigate the correlation of sTIL and LAG-3 with the prognosis in patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods: The clinicopathological characteristics and follow-up data of 260 patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma were collected at Fujian Cancer Hospital, from January 2011 to December 2014. The percentage of sTILs was reported semi-quantitatively using histological section evaluation, the LAG-3 protein was detected using immunohistochemistry, and the expression was correlated with the clinicopathological features and patient outcomes. Results: Among the 260 cases, high density of sTIL was detected in 173 cases (66.5%) while LAG-3 high expression was observed in 160 cases (61.5%). These cases were divided into four groups. Group Ⅰ: 48 cases (18.5%) were sTIL low/LAG-3 low; group Ⅱ: 52 cases (20.0%) were sTIL high/LAG-3 low; group Ⅲ: 39 cases (15.0%) were sTIL low/LAG-3 high; group Ⅳ: 121 cases (46.5%) were sTIL high/LAG-3 high. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses showed that patient prognoses were related to age, tumor size, tumor location, Lauren classification, perineural invasion, vascular invasion, TNM staging, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and molecular classification (P<0.05). Meanwhile, higher densities of sTIL and higher expression of LAG-3 were associated with better prognosis. Multivariate survival analysis showed age, tumor size, Lauren classification and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for patient survival. The results showed a poor prognosis in low-sTIL/low-LAG-3 patients. Conclusions: Compared with low density of sTIL and low expression of LAG-3, high density of sTIL and high expression of LAG-3 are associated with better outcomes in patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma, respectively. Combined detecton of sTIL and LAG-3 may be more useful in gastric cancer than using either alone. Age, tumor size, Lauren classification and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy are independent prognostic factors for patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma.

[Materia medica illustrations related to the regional names in Shandong province in Ben Cao Tu Jing]

Ben Cao Tu Jing had 48 materia medica illustrations related to the regional names in Shandong province. It was found that 42 of them were plant medicinal materials, distributed in seven areas in Shandong province. This study examined these illustration of plant medicinal materials and found that 26 species of these illustration of plant medicinal materials were identified with three genera and 11 illustrations were unverified. Most materia medica illustrations relating to the regional names in Shandong province were found mainly in Yanzhou, Qizhou and Zizhou. This indicated that materia medica were widely used in these areas in the Northern Song Dynasty. The haustorium of Cuscuta Chinensis were depicted in the "Shanzhou Tu Si Zi" and the habitat of wild poriacocos was described. This showed that the illustrators of Ben Cao Tu Jing might have conducted fieldwork and reflected on the main principles about how to identify materia medica in Ben Cao Tu Jing Zou Chi. Inconsistencies were found between the illustrations and the expressions of plant medicinal materials in some illustrations, such as Gui Jiu, Ginsen and Shan Zhu Yu. This suggested that in the Northern Song Dynasty Stemmacantha Uniflora, Belamcanda chinensis might have been mixed up with Dysosma and Pinellia Pedatisecta might have been mixed up with Pinellia Ternata. This was in line with the compiling theories of Su Song that they could be recorded together when the illustrations and literature were inconsistent with each other.

[Analysis of reliability and validity of the Chinese version of reflux symptom score 12]

Objective: To standardize the 12-item reflux symptom scale in Chinese and evaluate its reliability, validity, and effect on diagnoses. Methods: A systematic translation version of the RSS-12 scale was performed using the Brislin model. The scale with 12 items included three dimensions of symptoms in ear, nose and throat, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract. The effect was assessed by three aspects containing symptom frequency, severity, and the quality of life. The Chinese version of RSS-12 was used to test 432 patients who attended the outpatient ENT department of Fujian Provincial Hospital between March 2021 and December 2021, and 413 patient questionnaires were classified as valid, aged 17-78(40.8±13.3) years, 203 were female and 210 were male. SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 24.0 statistical software were used to evaluate the performance of the scale. Results: The scale was highly discriminatory among items and correlated well among dimensions. The I-CVI ranged from 0.67 to 1.00, and the S-CVI was 0.81. The exploratory factor analysis showed that the cumulative variance contribution was 63.583%. The validation factor analysis showed that the model adaptation was good, and the correlation coefficient with the RSI was 0.796. Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.814, the retest reliability was 0.939, and the Spearman-Brown half reliability was 0.892, all of which showed a high level of reliability. Using 24h MII-pH as the diagnostic criterion for LPRD, the RSS-12 scale had a diagnostic compliance rate of 79.4%, with a sensitivity of 0.768 and specificity of 0.857. Conclusion: The Chinese version of the RSS-12 scale has good reliability, validity, and diagnostic ability, which can be used as a screening tool to diagnose pharyngeal reflux diseases.

[Materia medica illustrations related to the regional names in Zhejiang province in Ben Cao Tu Jing]

Ben Cao Tu Jing had 38 materia medica illustrations related to the regional names in Zhejiang province. It was found that 30 of them were identified as being named after regional names in Zhejiang province, involving 20 families and 29 genera. One of the 38 materia medica illustrations was mineral medicine and seven of them were unverified. The twenty-five of these materia medica illustrations with regional names were found to be consistent with their names used today. Five of them came from similar names in Zhejiang province in the Northern Song Dynasty, another five of the 25 names were known with the names but not entity for the lack of full descriptions and drawings. It was found that the drawing and the text of "Ming Zhou Huang Yao" and "Qin Zhou Hong Yao" in Ben Cao Tu Jing were reversed. By comparing the materia medica illustrations related to regional names in Da Guan Ben Cao by Liu Jia and Zheng He Ben Cao by Zhang Huicun, the name and the illustration of "Jin Zhou Bei Mu" in Zheng He Ben Cao by Zhang Huicun was more believable than "Yue Zhou Bei Mu" in Da Guan Ben Cao by Liu Jia. "Tai Zhou Wu Yao" and "Zhe Ba Wei", as genuine medicinal materials in Zhejiang, can be traced back to the illustrations of "Tai Zhou Wu Yao", "Yue Zhou Bai Zhu", "Mu Zhou Mai Dong", "Wen Zhou Peng 'e Shu", "Yue Zhou Bei Mu" and "Tian Tai Wu Yao" in Ben Cao Tu Jing. These findings provided text and drawing literature of herbs in the Song Dynasty for the research of genuine medicinal materials and their characteristics in Zhejiang province. They also showed that the utilization and development of the resources of traditional Chinese medicine in Zhejiang in the Northern Song Dynasty mainly focused on the coastal areas.

[Types of medicine paintings in herbaceous and woody medicines in Ben Cao Tu Jing]

A total of 568 paintings of herbaceous plants and woody plants as medicine were involved in Ben Cao Tu Jing, accounting for 60% of the total drug illustrations and 76% of the botanical medicine paintings. These medicinal paintings can be classified into four types: original plant paintings, medicinal material paintings, plant and medicinal material paintings, and plant and their habitat paintings. The original plant paintings can be specifically divided into five sections: the whole plant paintings with roots, partial aerial part paintings with roots, plant paintings with ground lines, rootless plant paintings, and broken branch paintings. Among them, the drawings of " the broken branch paintings " and " the whole plant paintings with roots " are consistent with the basic principles of collecting plant specimens. Additionally, "the plant and medicinal material paintings " and "the medicinal material paintings "reflect that they were drawn based on the market survey of medicinal materials or collected medicinal materials specimens. These medicine painting demonstrate rich characteristics of medicinal plants and medicinal materials and a high artistic quality with realistic details.These paintings in Ben Cao Tu Jing echoes Tu Jing, combine the art of painting with the cognition ofnatural science, as the rudiment of early paintings of plant science.

Association between low skeletal muscle mass and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic individuals evaluated by CT

AIM

To investigate the associations of skeletal muscle area and density with coronary atherosclerotic plaques and significant stenosis in asymptomatic adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 243 consecutive subjects who had voluntarily undergone abdominal unenhanced computed tomography (CT) and coronary CT angiography (CCTA) as part of a general health examination were investigated retrospectively. Skeletal muscle area index (SMI) and skeletal muscle density (SMD) was assessed using CT. Coronary atherosclerotic plaques and stenosis on CCTA were evaluated. The associations of low SMI and low SMD with coronary atherosclerotic plaques and significant stenosis were determined by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, there were significant associations of low SMI or low SMD with atherosclerotic plaque, total significant stenosis, and significant stenosis caused by calcified or mixed plaques (for all p<0.05). In addition, multivariate regression analysis also showed that low SMI was independently associated with calcified plaque (p=0.038) and non-calcified plaque (p=0.006), and individuals with low SMD were more likely to have mixed plaque (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Assessment of the skeletal muscle on CT help to identify asymptomatic adults at risk for coronary atherosclerosis.

[The analysis of clinical characteristics of 34 novel coronavirus pneumonia cases in Ningxia Hui autonomous region]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of 34 COVID-19 cases and to provide the basis for the prevention and control of the epidemic disease. Methods: Thirty-four COVID-19 patients diagnosed with RT-PCR in the isolation ward of the Fourth People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui autonomous region (infectious diseases hospital) from the January 22 to February 4, 2020 were selected as the research subjects. The clinical data were collected. Excel was used to describe the relationship between clinical classification and age distribution, contact history and date of onset. SPSS 25.0 statistical software was used for analysis. The general information, clinical symptoms, blood test, virus nucleic acid test results, epidemiology, CT imaging, treatment and prognosis were analyzed. Results: There were 5 mild cases (5/34), 24 ordinary cases (24/34), 5 severe cases (5/34). The elderly was more common in severe patients. The main clinical symptoms were fever (27/34)and dry cough(26/34). The peripheral blood showed normal or decreased leukocyte count (33/34), decreased lymphocyte count (12/34). The increase of C-reactive protein (CRP) and D-dimer was related to the severity of the disease. Some patients had mild liver and kidney damage. Six patients were diagnosed through 3 or more times of nucleic acid tests. Sixteen cases had Wuhan related history,13 cases were close contacts, 5 cases had no confirmed route. The clustered infections were found in 6 families. In typical cases, CT showed single or multiple patchy ground glass shadow with thickening of interlobular septum. In severe cases, diffuse lesions of both lungs were found, with ground glass shadow, consolidation shadow and strip shadow coexisting. Thirty-four patients were treated with interferon-α and Lopinavir/Ritonavir with good prognosis. Conclusions: The clinical characteristics of COVID-19 were similar to that of general viral pneumonia but with strong infectivity. Close contact and family aggregation caused disease outbreaks. COVID-19 could not be excluded if two nucleic acid tests were negative and high-resolution CT was helpful for differential diagnosis. Early detection, early isolation, early diagnosis and early treatment are important for good prognosis. The effectiveness of antiviral drugs needs to be further verified.

[Analysis of spatial-temporal distribution of pesticide poisoning in Quzhou, 2013-2017]

Objective: To analysis the epidemic and spatial characteristics of pesticide poisoning in Quzhou during 2013-2017, and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of influenza in Quzhou in the future. Methods: The incidence data of pesticide poisoning from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017 in Quzhou collected from China Information System For Disease Control And Prevention. The descriptive analysis conducted by using SPSS18.0 software, and the Sa T Scan 9.2 software was used to complete space-time scan. Finally, ArcMap10.2 software was used to visualize the results. Results: There were 1819 cases of pesticide poisoning in Quzhou from 2007 to 2016, among which 298 cases were reported for productive poisoning, the incidence peak was from August to September, the highest number of patients in productive poisoning was in the age group of 46-60 years old and over 61 years old, with 109 patients in each group, and the number of male patients was significantly higher than that of female (χ(2)=63.857, P<0.01) . 1521 cases of non-productive pesticide poisoning were reported, among which the proportion of suicide poisoning (57.65%) was far higher than that of accidental poisoning (28.97%) , the number of female suicide poisoning was higher than that of male (χ(2)=5.510, P=0.019) , the proportion of accidental poisoning was the highest in the ≤15 years age group (89.00%, 89/100) , furthermore the number of suicide poisoning was the highest in the ≥61 years age group (314) . The incidence of pesticide poisoning could be detected by temporal-spatial scanning statistics, the time clustering is from August to September, the spatial clustering is in Jiangshan city, there are consistent with the descriptive of pesticide poisoning. Conclusion: The pesticide poisoning in Quzhou is mainly caused by non-productive suicide poisoning, and the spatial clustering is in Jiangshan city. Relevant departments should carry out targeted prevention and control measures according to the different characteristics of pesticide poisoning in clustered and non-clustered areas.

[Expression of long non-coding RNA SNHG8 in Epstein-Barr virus-related gastric cancer and clinical outcome]

Objective: To investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG8 in EB virus related gastric cancer and their correlation prognosis. Methods: The expression of SNHG8 in 93 gastric cancers and 93 cancer-free controls, matched by age and sex, were determined by real-time PCR. EB virus expression was detected by EBER in situ hybridization. Results: Forty-one gastric cancers were EB virus associated. For all gastric cancers, SNHG8 expression was 14 times higher (P=0.001) than that in non-cancer controls; in the EB virus related gastric cancers, SNHG8 expression was increased 25 times (P<0.05) over EB virus negative gastric cancers. SNHG8 expression level was also significantly associated with TNM staging (P<0.05). Conclusions: SNHG8 may act as a proto-oncogene, participating in gastric carcinogenesis.EB virus infection of gastric mucosa may promote SNHG8 expression.

[Microcystic, elongated and fragmented invasive pattern in endometrial adenocarcinoma: a clinicopathologic analysis of 72 cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic features of microcystic, elongated and fragmented (MELF) pattern invasion of endometrial adenocarcinoma. Methods: HE and immunohistochemistry staining method were used to analysis morphologic features and immunophenotype of 72 patients of endometrial adenocarcinoma with MELF pattern invasion, and chi-square test was used to analysis the clinicopathologic features. Results: The mean age of 72 patients was 54 years (40 to 70 years). Thirty-two patients were pre-menopausal and 40 were post-menopausal. According to the FIGO staging system (2014), 32 cases(44.4%)were at stage Ⅰ, 22 cases(30.6%)at stage Ⅱ, 17 cases(23.6%)at stage Ⅲ and 1 case(1.4%) at stage Ⅳ. Microscopically, MELF invasion showed microcystic, elongated slit-like or fragmented glands in myometrium and their lining cells usually were cube or flat, as well as the single or clusters of eosinophilic tumor cells mimicking histocytes. In addition, a fibromyxoid or inflammatory stromal response was often present.Immunohistochemical staining showed that MELF invasion was positive for p16, CA125 and CA19-9, but negative for ER, PR and p53.Compared with non-MELF pattern invasion, significant differences were noted in menopause pausimenia, FIGO stages, deep invasion into myometrium, lymph metastasis, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSL), serum CA125 and CA19-9 in patients with MELF pattern invasion (all P<0.05). Conclusions: MELF pattern invasion of endometrial adenocarcinoma is characterized by advanced FIGO stage, deep myoinvasion, high metastasis rate to lymph node and LVSL. Pathologists should recognize the MELF invasion and evaluate the depth of myometrium of infiltration and LVSL with special attention to the presence of MELF invasion with necessary immunohistochemistry for more accurate pathological diagnosis.

Cloning and characterization of the UBC gene from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

Protein ubiquitination is extensively involved in the regulation of a considerable number of physiological processes in plant cells. E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, UBC), one of the essential enzymes of eukaryotic ubiquitination, catalyzes protein ubiquitination together with E1 and E3. In this study, we cloned four full-length cDNA NnUBCs of Nelumbo nucifera. With the same coding sequence length of 459 bp and coding 153 amino acids, these four genes are highly homologous with the AtUBC1 and AtUBC2 of Arabidopsis thaliana. Quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction showed that these four genes exhibited different expression patterns in different tissues of N. nucifera. Overall, the expression of NnUBC3 was the highest in all plant tissues. Tests of different stress treatments showed that NnUBC3 plays an important role in response to heat, salt, and drought stresses in N. nucifera. Moreover, transgenic Arabidopsis plants (Atubc1-1Atubc2-1 mutant) expressing NnUBC3 presented a wild-type phenotype, indicating that NnUBC3 performs the same function as AtUBC1 and AtUBC2.

Comparative sequence and expression analysis of tapetum specific male sterility related genes in Medicago truncatula

Heterosis, or enhancement through outbreeding, is one of the most promising approaches for increasing crop yield. Male sterility (MS), which promotes heterosis, has been widely applied in hybrid crop production. Medicago truncatula is a model legume species and is closely related to M. sativa, an important legume forage plant. Although the molecular mechanisms of MS in M. truncatula and M. sativa remain unclear, several studies of MS have been conducted in Arabidopsis thaliana. Previous research has shown that MS is associated with the destruction of tapetal cell layers. Disruption of tapetum developmental processes may result in pollen abortion. In an effort to identify genes useful for breeding in M. sativa, we identified MS related genes in M. truncatula using BLAST and homology to A. thaliana genes. In this study, we identified 63 tapetum specific male sterility (TSMS) related genes. The length of TSMS genes varied from 225 to 3747 bp. We identified 15 conserved domains and 8 cis-elements associated with TSMS related genes. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationships among these genes allowed them to be classified into three groups, MtTsms A, MtTsms B, and MtTsms C. Expression analyses revealed that these genes may be involved in developmental processes and response to abiotic stress.

Ameloblastic fibro-odontosarcoma of the mandible in a pediatric patient

INTRODUCTION

Ameloblastic fibro-odontosarcoma is an extremely rare subtype of odontogenic sarcoma, with only 13 cases reported in the literature.

CASE REPORT

A 4-year-old male presented with a painless mandibular swelling, which appeared 4months previously. Cone beam computed tomography revealed an extensive, ill-circumscribed, multilocular radiolucency of the right mandible extending from the first deciduous molar to the ramus with slightly dense opacities. Histological examination of the incisional biopsy specimen revealed a biphasic tumor with sarcomatous mesenchyme and benign ameloblastic epithelial component compatible with a diagnosis of ameloblastic fibrosarcoma. A right hemimandibular resection was performed. Areas of deposition of dentinoid and enamel material closely adjacent to ameloblastic epithelium were noted in the excised specimen. A final diagnosis of ameloblastic fibro-odontosarcoma was made. After four years of close follow-up, there is no sign of recurrence or metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Although rare, ameloblastic fibro-odontosarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of jaw lesions with radiographic radiolucencies exhibiting poorly circumscribed outlines and containing radiopaque material. Definite diagnosis depends on histopathological examination. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice.

Identification and characterization of chalcone synthase cDNAs (NnCHS) from Nelumbo nucifera

Chalcone synthase (CHS) catalyzes the first committed step in flavonoids biosynthetic pathway. In this study, six full-length cDNAs (NnCHS) encoding CHS from Nelumbo nucifera were successfully isolated, using rapid amplification cDNA end (RACE) assay. The obtained cDNAs were 1426 bp in size, containing a 1167 bp open reading frame coding 389 amino acids. Exons-intron architecture of NnCHS gene was illustrated, consisting two exons inserted by a 426 bp intron. The putative NnCHS possessed all the conserved active sites for CHS function as well as the family signature. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that NnCHS shared high homology with CHS from high plants, and the homology-based structural modeling showed that NnCHS had the typical structure of CHS. Moreover, Real-time PCR assays demonstrated that NnCHS mRNAs were expressed in various tissues of N. nucifera, with the highest expression in red flower and lowest level in the leaves. Moreover, patterns of NnCHS expression illustrated short-time wounding or low temperature significantly induced the up-regulation of NnCHS mRNA.

Male-specific association of the APC rs383830 T allele with the risk of coronary heart disease

APC is a tumor suppressor gene that is involved in the processes of cell migration and adhesion, transcriptional activation, and apoptosis. The goal of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the APC rs383830 polymorphism to coronary heart disease (CHD) in Han Chinese. A total of 783 patients with CHD and 737 controls were tested in the current association study. Although our study did not identify an association between the APC rs383830 polymorphism and CHD, a breakdown analysis by gender indicated there was a significant contribution of the rs383830 T allele to the risk of CHD in males (P = 0.046, odds ratio = 1.267, 95% confidence interval = 1.004-1.598). In conclusion, our study suggested a male-specific association of the APC rs383830 polymorphism with CHD.

Development and characterization of genic-SSR markers from different Asia lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) types by RNA-seq

Nelumbo nucifera is an important economic vegetable and traditional medicine, but available genetic resources remain limited. Next generation sequencing has proven to be a rapid and effective means of identifying genic simple sequence repeat (genic-SSR) markers. This study developed genic-SSRs for N. nucifera using Illumina sequencing technology to assess diversity across cultivated and wild lotus. A total of 105,834 uni-contigs were produced with an average read length of 722 bp. Exactly 11,178 genic-SSR loci were identified in 9523 uni-contigs. Di-nucleotide (64.5%) was the most abundant SSR, followed by tri-nucleotide (23%), tetra-nucleotide (8.9%), penta-nucleotide (2.5%), and hexa-nucleotide (1%) repeat types. The most common di- and tri-nucleotide repeat motifs were AG/CT (51%) and AAG/CTT (8%), respectively. Based on these SSRs sequences, 6568 primer pairs were designed, of which 72 primers were randomly selected for synthesis and validation, and 38 in-silico polymorphic primers were obtained using in-house perl scripts. A total of 110 primers were screened in the lotus samples and the results showed that 101 primers yielded amplification products, of which 80 were polymorphs. The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 17 and the PIC (polymorphism information content) ranged from 0.19 to 0.87 with a mean value of 0.55. An Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) dendrogram based on Jaccard's similarity coefficients showed that the correlation between geographical source and genotype was low. This study describes the distribution of genic-SSRs in the expressed portion of the lotus genome. These genic-SSRs have an important role to play in molecular mapping, diversity analysis, and marker-assisted selection strategies in Nelumbo.

Increased ADAMTS-13 proteolytic activity in rat hepatic stellate cells upon activation in vitro and in vivo

INTRODUCTION

ADAMTS-13 is a member of A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease with ThromboSpondin type 1 repeats (ADAMTS) family, primarily synthesized in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), one of the major cell types transdifferentiating into myofibroblasts during liver fibrosis. However, the association between ADAMTS-13 expression and HSC activation or liver fibrosis is not known.

METHODS

In this study, we determined the ADAMTS-13 mRNA, protein, and activity in isolated primary HSCs upon activation on a plastic dish and in liver after administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) in rats.

RESULTS

We showed that ADAMTS-13 antigen and proteolytic activity in the activated rat HSCs were dramatically increased, whereas ADAMTS-13 mRNA in these cells was only minimally altered. Similarly, the ADAMTS-13 antigen and proteolytic activity in rat liver after CCl(4) injury were also significantly increased, whereas the ADAMTS-13 mRNAs in these liver tissues were only slightly increased compared with normal. Surprisingly, despite the dramatic up-regulation of ADAMTS-13 protein synthesis in the activated HSCs after CCl(4) administration, the plasma levels of ADAMTS-13 protease in rats did not increase concordantly.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the up-regulation of ADAMTS-13 protein expression in rat HSCs during activation in vitro and in vivo suggests the possibility of ADAMTS-13 proteolysis, an important part of function of the activated HSCs, perhaps through modulation of liver regeneration or formation of liver fibrosis after various injuries. The data also suggest the minimal contribution of the activated HSCs in regulation of plasma levels of ADAMTS-13 protease.

The distance to the Perseus spiral arm in the Milky Way

We have measured the distance to the massive star-forming region W3OH in the Perseus spiral arm of the Milky Way to be 1.95 +/- 0.04 kiloparsecs (5.86 x10(16) km). This distance was determined by triangulation, with Earth's orbit as one segment of a triangle, using the Very Long Baseline Array. This resolves the long-standing problem that there is a discrepancy of a factor of 2 between different techniques used to determine distances. The reason for the discrepancy is that this portion of the Perseus arm has anomalous motions. The orientation of the anomalous motion agrees with spiral density-wave theory, but the magnitude of the motion is somewhat larger than most models predict.

[QTL mapping of the root traits in rice seedling]

Drought resistance is one of the most important traits in rice abiotic study. The report here analyzed several major root traits affecting drought resistance expression with the double haploid population (DH) from ZYQ8 (indica)/JX17 (japonica) containing 127 lines. After 10 days solution culturing, three rice root traits, Maximum Root Length (MRL), Dry Root Weight (DRW) and Root/Shoot Ratio of Dry Weight (RSR), were revealed existing significant difference among the DH lines. Using the constructed molecular linkage map from this segregating population, the QTL mapping was conducted among these three root parameters. MRL, DRW, and RSR were found being controlled by 2/1/2 QTLs respectively in JX17, 2/0/1 QTLs respectively in ZYQ8. Phenotype variance could be explained by 16.4% and 17.0% for MRL, 16.4% for DRW, 10.4% and 19.9% for RSR in JX17, 19.6% and 13.0% for MRL, 13.2% for RSR in ZYQ8. All these QTLs identified were distributed on rice chromosome 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10. Comparing with the other mapping results, one QTL for each trait (L169-CT106A for MRL, G45-G1314A for DRW, G62-G144 for RSR) was identical with the results reported previously.

[Microsatellite marker analysis of a soybean recombinant inbred line NJRIKY]

The prerequisite of genomic research such as genetic mapping is construction of a suitable segregating population and its reasonable evaluation before use. A recombinant inbred line (RILs), NJRIKY, was constructed through a cross between Kefeng 1 and Nannong 1138-2. The present study was focused on evaluation of genetic structure of the RILs through the simple sequence repeats (SSRs) analysis. A total number of 138 pairs of SSRs primers covering the whole soybean genome were randomly selected for polymorphic analysis between two parents. 86 pairs of which were polymorphic and polymorphic rate is up to 62.32%. 90 polymorphic loci were found. Further analysis with polymorphic SSRs loci on the sampled lines indicated that not only segregation of most SSRs loci conformed to the ratio of 1:1, but also almost each sampled line tended to homozyge. The distribution of genotypic composition was normal. The population is ideal for genetic mapping and other genomic research.

[Effects of a novel KATP channel opener JTV-506 on myocardial infarct size of isolated rat heart]

AIM

To study the influence of a novel KATP channel opener JTV-506(JTV) on cardiac function and myocardial infarct size of isolated rat heart.

METHODS

The Langendorff apparatus was used to study the effect of JTV at different concentrations on the flow of coronary artery and the pressure of left ventricle. The effect of JTV on infarction size was observed on the isolated rat double coronary arteries perfusion model.

RESULTS

JTV 1 mumol.L-1 increased the flow of coronary artery obviously. When the concentration reached 10 mumol.L-1, JTV decreased the systolic pressure of the left ventricle. JTV 1 mumol.L-1 reduced the myocardial infarct size whether it was administrated during both preischemic and ischemic period or only during ischemic period. This effect was completely blocked by glibenclamide, but when glibenclamide was administrated alone, it showed no obvious effect on infarct size.

CONCLUSION

The KATP channel opener JTV can obviously dilate coronary artery and decrease cardiac systolic function when administrated at high doses. JTV was found to decrease the infarct size when administrated in doses that did not affect cardiac function. These effects were related to the opening of KATP channel.

[Integration of the genetic map and the physical map of the subterminal region on the longer arm of rice chromosome 6]

The region between RFLP markers G342 and R1167 was the subterminal part of the longer arm on the rice chromosome 6, because Shen et al. (1998) mapped two telomeric repeat associated sequences distal to G342. In order to integrate the genetic map and the physical map of the region, G342 and R1167 were firstly used to screen BAC library. Based on the positive clones detected by the two markers and chromosome walking by using the outer most insert-end of the overlapping clones, a contig containing 16 BAC clones which spanned 500 kb was constructed. All the insert-ends of the BAC clones could be amplified with thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR. Fourteen insert-ends were subcloned. Seven of them were identified as a single or low copy sequences and five were mapped on the expected sites flanking G342 or R1167. The insert fragment isolated from the minimum tile BAC clones of the contig was used to screen a cDNA library and four different positive clones were detected.

Identification and chromosomal localization of a transcriptionally active retrotransposon of Ty3-gypsy type in rice

A DNA fragment representing a transcriptionally active retrotransposon of Ty3-gypsy type was isolated and characterized from rice (Oryza sativa L.). The fragment (named RIRE9) includes the coding sequences for the C-terminal part of the RNase H domain and the N-terminal part of the integrase domain in the polyprotein region. Northern blot hybridization indicated that this element was expressed in rice leaves and stems, suggesting that it is potentially active to transpose under normal growth conditions. Using dot-blot hybridization, the copy number of RIRE9 was estimated to be about 1600 copies per haploid rice genome. Five homologous copies of RIRE9 were assigned to five distinct positions of four chromosomes by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) mapping approach using an indica-japonica rice doubled-haploid (DH) population and its molecular linkage map.

[Introduction of wide spectrum rice bacterial blight resistance gene Xa21 into two-line genic male sterile rice variety Pei'ai 64S]

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of two-line genic male sterile Indica rice variety Pei'ai 64S was conducted using a cloned gene, Xa21, as the foreign gene and mature embryo calli as the recipients. A total of 46 transgenic plants had been obtained. The PCR analysis and Southern blotting showed the integration of Xa21 gene into the genome the transgenic plants. Results of inoculation with philippine race 6 of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae indicated that most of transgenic plants obtained high resistance to rice bacterial blight disease (Xoo). Analyses of T1 plants of the tested transgenic lines showed that integrated Xa21 gene could be steadily inherited and segregated in a 3:1 ratio.

[Study on the distribution HIV-1 C subtype in Ruili and other counties, Yunnan, China]

Cooperating with CDC, USA, the Center for AIDS Surveillance, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, first identified the epidemic of HIV-1 C subtype virus in China in 1994. As part of the Eighth-Five National Scientific Program and to get information about the geographical distribution of C subtype of HIV-1 and its epidemic time span in Yunnan, using specific peptide ELISA, we tested 192 anti-HIV-1 positive serums, among intravenous drug users. The results indicated that C subtype of HIV-1 started to appear in Ruili (5.1%) in 1992, and the rates were 12.9% in Ruili and 30.4% in Longchuan in 1993, up to 31.9% in Ruili and 33.3% in Longchuan in 1994. The porpotion of C subtype is increasing among the drug users by year. Whether C subtype would become the main the main epidemic subtype in this areas remains to be under observation.

[A cohort study and KAP investigation of HIV infected persons in Ruili, and other counties in Yunnan, 1994]

In 1994, an cohort study of drug users had continued in Longchuan and Luxi counties, Ruili city. The cohort study for drug users had been established since 1992 and total 522 drug users were investigated. Sixty five sera samples were collected, including 26 HIV negatives intravenous drug users in 1992 and 39 of them in 1993. The result shown that 10 sera samples are positives. Of sixty five samples tested, the rate of HIV infectious for IVDU in Ruili, Longchuan and Luxi were 25.0%, 16.3% and 0.0% respectively. Total of 46 HIV positives samples were found from 105 blood samples among the IVDU who were newly included in the cohort study in 1994. Of these samples, the rates of HIV infection in Ruili, Longchuan and Luxi were 61.8%, 38.5% and 0.0% respectively. The result of KAP investigation from 522 drug users has shown that there is a marked difference of the rate of HIV infections in the nationalities, occupations, education (P < 0.01). The main reason contributing the low rate of HIV infections in Luxi county is that the IVDU mainly are the Han nationality with higher education level, as well as travelling less to Burma.

[Investigation of mortality among HIV-infected intravenous drug users in Ruili region of Yunnan province]

The investigation of death condition of HIV infected intravenous drug users (IVDU) was conducted with a retrospective cohort study in Ruili city of Yunnan province from 1989-Oct to 1993-Oct, the deaths among 395 HIV+ IVDUs add up to 61 and the mortality is 15.4%, which has significant difference compared to the death level of control cohort composed by 192 HIV- IVDUs (add up to 18). The relative risk of death is 1.6 (95% confidence interval 1.0-2.5). After classified by the cause of death, it was found that both maintain high accidence mortality caused mainly by narcotism, violence and suicide. But in death group caused by diseases, the mortality of HIV+ IVDU (8.4%) is much higher than HIV- IVDU (3.1%) (95% confidence interval 1.2-6.1). We also compared non-AIDS mortality between HIV+ and HIV- IVDU according to data of HIV/AIDS surveillance which showed 2 patients died of AIDS in HIV+ IVDU. The difference is also significant (13.8% in HIV+, but 7.9% in HIV- IVDU) and the relative risk is 1.7 (95% confidence interval 1.0-2.8). The results indicated that the lever of reported AIDS cases were probably lower than that of actual AIDS cases existing.

Cohort study of HIV infection among drug users in Ruili, Longchuan and Luxi of Yunnan Province, China

In March 1992, KAP investigation and HIV blood test were carried out for 860 drug users and 82 spouses in Ruili, Luxi, Longchuan of Yunnan Province, China. The results showed that there were 285 injecting drug users (IDUs) (33.1%) among 860 drug users. Among 282 blood samples of IDUs, the HIV infection rate was 49.0%, highest in Ruili (81.8%, 63/77), then Longchuan (44.6%, 74/166), lowest in Luxi county (5.1%, 2/39). Twelve new HIV(+) were found from 75 persons, who had been tested as HIV(-) in recent two years. Sixty-two blood samples were collected among 82 spouses of IDUs with HIV(+), and 6 were HIV(+) (9.8%), with an increase of 6.7% compared with results of the investigation two years ago (3.1%, 2/64).

[A preliminary study on the behavior of 225 drug abusers and the risk factors of HIV infection in Ruili county Yunnan Province]

We carried out the investigation on 225 drug abusers in L village, Ruili county in March 1990, and tested blood specimens of intravenous users (IVDUs) for HIV infection. Of 225 drug abusers, 153 (68.0%) were by inhaling and 72 (32.0%) were by intravenous. In the recent two years, the proportion of IVDUs in drug abusers sharply increased from 13.5% in 1988 to 30.5% in 1989, and 32.0% in spring 1990. Blood specimen were collected from 64 out of 72 IVDUs, among them 51 (79.7%) were HIV-positive. The findings of relation between HIV infection and drug abuse suggested that the sharing common syringes with others and failure of their sterilization were independent risk factors.

[An evaluation of the China-made HIV antibody test reagents]

This paper reports the results of the evaluation of the China-made HIV antibody screening test reagents, including the IF and IE reagents prepared by the Institute of Virology, CAPM, the ELISA reagent prepared by the Shanghai Institute of Biological Products. Based on the results, the sensitivities of the IF and IE are from 91.2% to 96.9%; the specificities, from 94.6% to 97.3%. Due to the low HIV prevalence in China, the predictive values of negative of these reagents are up to 100%; but the predictive values of positive are very low. It is suggested that these reagents can be used for HIV antibody screen testing in China. The package of some reagents should be improved, the price of some reagents should be decreased.

Detection of antibody to LAV/HTLV-III in sera from hemophiliacs in China

Using ELISA, Western blots and immunofluorescence techniques, we identified seropositivity for lymphadenopathy-associated virus/human lymphotropic virus-III (LAV/HTLV-III) in 4 of 18 hemophiliacs and 1 AIDS patient. The four seropositive patients had received factor VIII prepared by Armour Company. The hemophiliacs are all asymptomatic. Given this documentation of introduction of LAV/HTLV-III into China, a national surveillance program is underway.