Simultaneously mapping loci related to two plant architecture traits by phenotypic recombination BSA/BSR in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.).

KEY MESSAGE: We developed a new method phenotypic recombination BSA/BSR (PR-BSA/BSR), which could simultaneously identify the candidate genomic regions associated with two traits in a segregating population. Bulked segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq) has been widely used for identifying the genomic regions affecting a certain trait. In this study, we developed a modified BSA/bulked segregant RNA-sequencing (BSR-seq) method, which we named phenotypic recombination BSA/BSR (PR-BSA/BSR), to simultaneously identify candidate genomic regions associated with two traits in a segregating population. Lateral branch angle (LBA) and flower-branch pattern (FBP) are two important traits associated with the peanut plant architecture because they affect the planting density and light use efficiency. We generated an F6 population (with two segregating traits) derived from a cross between the inbred lines Pingdu9616 (erect and sequential; ES-type) and Florunner (spreading and alternating; SA-type). The selection of bulks with extreme phenotypes was a key step in this study. Specifically, 30 individuals with recombinant phenotypes [i.e., spreading and sequential (SS-type) and erect and alternating (EA-type)] were selected to generate two bulks. The transcriptomes of individuals were sequenced and then the loci related to LBA and FBP were simultaneously detected via a ΔSNP-index strategy, which involved the direction of positive and negative peaks in the ∆SNP-index plot. The LBA-related locus was mapped to a 6.82 Mb region (101,743,223-108,564,267 bp) on chromosome 15, whereas the FBP-related locus was mapped to a 2.16 Mb region (117,682,534-119,846,824 bp) on chromosome 12. Furthermore, the marker-based classical QTL mapping method was used to analyze the PF-F6 population, which confirmed our PR-BSA/BSR results. Therefore, the PR-BSA/BSR method produces accurate and reliable data.

Three-dimensional measurement and analysis of morphological parameters of the uterus in infertile women.

Background: To determine differences in endometrial cavity anteroposterior diameter, thickness, volume, and diameter lines of uterine body and thickness, and volume of upper, middle, and lower regions of the endometrium in infertile women using a new method for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction based on two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound images. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included a total of 81 infertile women, who underwent 2D ultrasound standard examination. We created 3D models of the uterine body, endometrial cavity, and endometrium based on 2D ultrasound images. The parameters that were measured and analyzed in a 3D plane included volume and diameter lines of endometrial cavity, surface area, thickness, volume, and diameter lines of uterine body, and surface area, thickness, and volume of upper, middle, and lower region of the endometrium. These parameters were used for comparisons between normal and arcuate uterus, between non-pregnant and pregnant infertile women, and between nulliparous and multiparous infertile women. The differences between the different regions of the endometrium and the correlations between age and the parameters were also determined in this study. Results: Endometrial cavity length, and middle and lower regions of the endometrial volume in the normal uterus were 39.63±7.61 mm, 1,307.92±1,034.40 mm3, and 653.98±460.41 mm3, respectively. For arcuate uterus, these parameters were 32.96±4.69 mm, 539.89±298.94 mm3, and 347.90±129.61 mm3, respectively. The parameters were significantly higher in normal uterus compared with arcuate uterus (P=0.000, 0.001, and 0.006, respectively). Upper, middle, and lower regions of endometrial thickness in normal uterus were 7.79±3.26, 8.18±3.33, and 6.41±2.60 mm, respectively. Both upper and middle regions of endometrial thickness were significantly greater than the lower regions of endometrial thickness with P=0.009 and P=0.001, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed that age positively correlated with volume of upper endometrial regions (r=0.274, P=0.028). Conclusions: This study provides references for the volume and thickness of the endometrium in the different anatomical regions of normal and arcuate uterus. Age mainly affects the upper region of the endometrium. The 3D measurement provides a precise way to quantify the morphological parameters of gynecological diseases.

Effect of Prepregnancy Lymphocyte Active Immunotherapy on Unexplained Recurrent Miscarriage, Pregnancy Success Rate, and Maternal-Infant Outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of prepregnancy lymphocyte active immunotherapy on unexplained recurrent miscarriage, pregnancy success rate, and maternal-infant outcome. METHODS: A total of 124 patients with recurrent miscarriage admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 were selected as the research objects and divided into the experimental group and the control group according to the random number table method, with 62 patients in each group. The experimental group was treated with lymphocyte active immunotherapy, and the control group was given conventional treatment. The pregnancy success rate, estrogen indexes, hemorheology indexes, and psychological state of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The experimental group garnered a notably higher pregnancy success rate and a prominently lower miscarriage rate than the control group (P < 0.05). Better results of self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were observed in the experimental group, as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The experimental group yielded more desirable results in terms of treatment satisfaction, estrogen indexes, and hemorheology indexes in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of lymphocyte active immunotherapy for patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage can significantly increase the pregnancy success rate, optimize the maternal-infant outcome, drive down the miscarriage rate, and ameliorate the patient's estrogen levels and hemorheology indicators, which is worthy of promotion and application in clinical practice.

A longitudinal study of infection with genotypes of Theileria orientalis in calves and introduced cattle at Dorrigo, New South Wales, and the effect on weight gains.

BACKGROUND: In regions with endemic Theileria orientalis, recovered cattle are carriers, leaving newborn calves and introduced stock as the most susceptible groups to develop clinical disease after tick infestation with parasite transmission. METHODS: To gain information on the kinetics of infection and development and effects of theileriosis caused by virulent ikeda and chitose genotypes and the "benign" buffeli genotype of T.orientalis, this study sampled a total of 134 calves from 3 farms in Dorrigo, Australia, a region with multiple genotypes of the parasite. In addition, 30 introduced beef weaners were bled and weighed for 6 months after arrival. RESULTS: In both cohorts, parasitaemia with the ikeda and chitose (genotypes 1 & 2) of T.orientalis was detectable by PCR within 3-4 weeks in >95 % of the groups, with maximal gene copies generated around 5-7 weeks after birth or introduction, before declining. In contrast, parasitaemias of T.orientalis buffeli (genotype 3), increased slowly, with around 80 % of the population testing positive by PCR after 4 months. The parasitaemias of the buffeli genotype did not exceed 40,000 gene copies /ul and were similar to those exhibited by ikeda and chitose genotypes following the "first wave of parasitaemia" as cattle entered the carrier state. In the 30 introduced weaners, the early infection with T.orientalis ikeda and chitose also caused significant reductions in packed cell volume (PCV) and incurred an estimated 20Kg loss in weight gain; the latter had not been recovered by 6 months after introduction. CONCLUSIONS: The results support previous findings in other endemic regions of theileriosis, and imply that amelioration of the early high levels of parasitosis by the virulent genotypes could reduce the initial impact of theileriosis on production, which appears much less affected once animals enter the carrier state.

Comparison of prognostic values of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide to assess mortality in elderly inpatients.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that increases in low-level high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the elderly population lead to high risk of adverse clinical outcomes, such as mortality. In this study, associations between the two biomarkers and long-term mortality in elderly patients hospitalized for medical conditions other than acute cardiovascular events were investigated. A comparison of the predictive value of hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP for all-cause mortality was conducted. METHODS: A cohort of 715 elderly inpatients free of acute cardiovascular events was initially recruited. Based on tertiles of baseline hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP levels, the elderly were arranged into low, middle, and high groups. The mortality of each group was observed and the predictive values of hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP compared. Additionally, all-cause mortality was analyzed for hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP combined. RESULTS: There were 135 (18.9%) all-cause mortality cases identified during follow-up (median 47 months). The upper tertile of hs-cTnT was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality (HR 3.29, 95% CI 1.85-5.85), even after adjustment for potential confounders. However, there were no significant differences observed in mortality rates among the three NT-proBNP groups after adjustment for potential confounders (HR 1.77, 95% CI 0.83-3.17). Compared to NT-proBNP, hs-cTnT was a better predictor of mortality, as area under curves for hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP at 60 months were 0.712 (95% CI 0.616-0.809) and 0.585 (95% CI 0.483-0.6871), respectively. Also, the combination of the two cardiac biomarkers did not render a better predictive value for mortality than hs-cTnT alone. CONCLUSION: Unlike hs-cTnT, baseline NT-proBNP levels failed to show an independent association with all-cause mortality in hospitalized elderly without acute cardiovascular events. hs-cTnT provided significant prognostic value for mortality in the study cohort.

Selenious-ß-lactoglobulin induces the apoptosis of human lung cancer A549 cells via an intrinsic mitochondrial pathway.

In this study, the cytotoxic activity of selenious-ß-lactoglobulin (Se-ß-Lg) and the anticancer mechanism were investigated in human lung cancer A549 cells in vitro. MTT assay showed that Se-ß-Lg at 200 µg/mL exhibited a significant suppression effect on A549 cells and the maximum inhibition rate reached 90% after 72 h treatment. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that 200 µg/mL of Se-ß-Lg induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. Cell apoptosis was induced via the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, Se-ß-Lg suppressed the expression of Bcl-2 and improved the level of Bax, leading to the release of cytochrome c and a higher expression of caspase-3 in A549 cells. In summary, Se-ß-Lg could induce apoptosis in A549 cells via an intrinsic mitochondrial pathway and it might serve as a potential therapeutic agent for human lung cancer.

Intake of red and processed meat and risk of renal cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND: Findings on the association between intake of red and processed meat with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk are mixed. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate this association. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible studies up to August 31, 2016, were identified and retrieved by searching the MEDLINE and Embase databases along with manual review of the reference lists from the retrieved studies. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The summary relative risk (SRR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Twenty-three publications were included in this meta-analysis: four cohort studies, one pooled study, and 18 case-control studies. The SRR (95% CI) for the highest vs. lowest intake of red meat was 1.36 (1.16-1.58, Pheterogeneity < 0.001); that for processed meat was 1.13 (95% CI, 1.03-1.24, Pheterogeneity = 0.014). Linear dose-response analysis yielded similar results, i.e., the SRR for per 100 g/day increment of red meat and per 50 g/day increment of processed meat was 1.21 (95% CI, 1.08-1.36) and 1.16 (95% CI, 0.99-1.36), respectively. A non-linear association was observed only for red meat (Pnonlinearity = 0.002), and not for processed meat (Pnonlinearity = 0.231). Statistically significant positive associations were observed for intake of beef, salami/ham/bacon/sausage, and hamburger. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicates a significant positive association between red and processed meat intake and RCC risk.

Seleno-short-chain chitosan induces apoptosis in human non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells through ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway.

Seleno-short-chain chitosan (SSCC) is a synthesized chitosan derivative. In this study, antitumor activity and underlying mechanism of SSCC on human non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells were investigated in vitro. The MTT assay showed that SSCC could inhibit cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and 200 µg/ml SSCC exhibited significantly toxic effects on A549 cells. The cell cycle assay showed that SSCC triggered S phase cell cycle arrest in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which was related to a downregulation of S phase associated cyclin A. The DAPI staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining identified that the SSCC could induce A549 cells apoptosis. Further studies found that SSCC led to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by DCFH-DA and Rhodamin 123 staining, respectively. Meanwhile, free radical scavengers N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) pretreatment confirmed that SSCC-induced A549 cells apoptosis was associated with ROS generation. Furthermore, real-time PCR and western blot assay showed that SSCC up-regulated Bax and down-regulated Bcl-2, subsequently incited the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytoplasm, activated the increase of cleaved-caspase 3 and finally induced A549 cells apoptosis in vitro. In general, the present study demonstrated that SSCC induced A549 cells apoptosis via ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables and risk of renal cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND: There have been inconsistent results about the association between consumption of fruits and vegetables and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk. We conducted a meta-analysis of the published observational studies to explore this association. RESULTS: Nineteen observational studies (4 cohort, 1 pooled and 14 case-control studies), involving 10,215 subjects with RCC were part of this meta-analysis. The SRR for the highest vs. the lowest intake of vegetables was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.63-0.85; Pheterogeneity = 0.004, I2 = 53.5%), whereas for fruits it was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.75-0.98; Pheterogeneity = 0.012, I2 = 47.4%). Linear dose-response analysis also showed similar results, e.g., for per 1 serving/day increment of vegetables, the SRR was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.84-0.96) and for fruits it was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.93-1.01). Nonlinear association was only observed for vegetables (Pnonlinearity = 0.001), but not for fruits (Pnonlinearity = 0.221). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible studies up to August 31, 2016 were identified and retrieved by searching MEDLINE and EMBASE databases along with manual review of the reference list from the retrieved studies. Quality of included studies was evaluated using Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). Random-effects model was used to calculate summary relative risk (SRR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicated a protective effect of consumption of vegetables and fruits on RCC risk. Further studies are warranted with prospective designs that use validated questionnaires and control for important confounders.

Mechanical and barrier properties of maize starch-gelatin composite films: effects of amylose content.

BACKGROUND: In order to obtain new reinforcing bio-fillers to improve the physicochemical properties of gelatin-based films, three types of maize starch, waxy maize starch (Ap), normal starch (Ns) and high-amylose starch (Al), were incorporated into gelatin film and the resulting film properties were investigated, focusing on the impact of amylose content. RESULTS: The thickness, opacity and roughness of gelatin film increased depending on the amylose content along with the starch concentration. The effects of the three starches on the mechanical properties of gelatin film were governed by amylose content, starch concentration as well as environmental relative humidity (RH). At 75% RH, the presence of Al and Ns in the gelatin matrix increased the film strength but decreased its elongation, while Ap exhibited an inverse effect. Starch addition decreased the oxygen permeability of the film, with the lowest value at 20% Al and Ns. All starches, notably at 30% content, led to a decrease in the water vapor permeability of the film at 90% RH, especially Ns starch. Furthermore, the starches improved the thermal stability of the film to some extent. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated that some weak intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding occurred between gelatin and starch. Moreover, a high degree of B-type crystallinity of starch was characterized in Gel-Al film by X-ray diffraction. CONCLUSION: Tailoring the properties of gelatin film by the incorporation of different types of maize starch provides the potential to extend its applications in edible food packaging. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T in geriatric inpatients.

BACKGROUND: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) is detectable in elderly patients without clinical diagnosed cardiovascular disease. Elevated hs-cTnT levels predict increased cardiovascular risks and poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and associated factors of hs-cTnT in geriatric inpatients without acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Hs-cTnT was measured with a highly sensitive assay in 679 geriatric inpatients without ACS. Patients were further divided into 3 groups according to the tertile of hs-cTnT levels and single and multiple variable analyses were performed to assess the association of hs-cTnT to cardiovascular risk factors, biochemical measurements and echocardiographic abnormalities. RESULTS: Hs-cTnT was detectable (≥3ng/L) in 98.4% of the subjects and 52.0% of the subjects had hs-cTnT levels ≥14ng/L, which is at the 99th percentile Upper Reference Limit (URL). The levels of hs-cTnT were independently associated with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), male gender, older age, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), diabetes mellitus (DM) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). There were no significant differences in hs-cTnT levels between geriatrics patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) and those without SCAD. CONCLUSION: Hs-cTnT elevation caused by non-ischemic acute conditions was very common in geriatric hospitalized patients. Due to increases in baseline hs-cTnT in the elderly, detection of a rise and/or fall in hs-cTnT levels is essential for determining a diagnosis of ACS or AMI in geriatric patients. Further studies are needed to establish age-specific 99th percentile values of hs-cTnT for elderly individuals.

[Validity of high intensive focused ultrasound in the treatment of uterus myoma and adenomyoma in Hebei Province: a report of 166 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the validity of high intensive focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of uterus myoma and adenomyoma. METHODS: A total of 166 patients with uterus myoma and adenomyoma received HIFU treatment from July 2011 to November 2013 at our hospital. The follow-ups were conducted at 1, 3, 6 month post-treatment. Their status of clinical symptoms, tumor volume, blood flow and efficacy of HIFU were evaluated. RESULTS: Menstrual blood decreased after treatment. The levels of hemoglobin all returned to normal in anemic patients and dysmenorrhea showed great improvement. Ultrasound showed that uterine ablation lesions significantly diminished after treatment. The effective rate was 71.8% at 1 month, 86.1% at 3 month and 95.4% at 6 month post-treatment and blood flow within ablation lesions decreased after treatment. None of unacceptable side effects occurred. CONCLUSION: HIFU treatment of uterus myoma and adenomyoma is both feasible and safe with fewer side effects.

CXCL12-CXCR4 Axis Promotes Proliferation, Migration, Invasion, and Metastasis of Ovarian Cancer.

The CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine axis may play a very important role in ovarian cancer cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and peritoneal metastasis in vitro and in vivo. In this study, transfected SKOV3-CXCR4, transfected vector SKOV3-negative, nontransfected SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells, and human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) were cultivated in vitro, and the proliferation, migration, and invasion of these ovarian cancer cells were investigated with or without the influence of the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis. Nude mice models of ovarian cancer were created by injection of ovarian cancer cells into the peritoneal cavity for investigation of ovarian cancer cells metastasis. Our results demonstrated that in the SKOV3-CXCR4 group, the cell number of proliferation, migration, or penetration through the Matrigel membrane treated with CXCL12 was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than those treated with CXCR4 antibody or CXCR4 antagonist AMD 3100 in a concentration-dependent manner. In the SKOV3-negative and the nontransfected SKOV3 groups, no significant (p > 0.05) differences existed in the cell number of proliferation, migration, or penetration. Coculture of HPMCs and SKOV3-CXCR4 had significantly (p < 0.05) higher migration and invasion rates than the SKOV3-CXCR4-only group. In nude mice seeded with ovarian cancer cells, the tumor weight in the nude mice injected with SKOV3-CXCR4 cells was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than in the group injected with the SKOV3-negative or nontransfected SKOV3 cells. Taken together, our results show that the CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine axis can significantly promote the proliferation, migration, invasion, and peritoneal metastasis of ovarian cancer cells, and interference with this axis may serve as a new therapeutic target in treating ovarian cancers.

[Relationship between chemokine axis CXCL12-CXCR4 and epithelial ovarian cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between chemokine axis CXCL12-CXCR4 and the pathogenesis and severity of epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: SKOV3 transfected with plasmid, SKOV3 transfected with vector and SKOV3 were cultured in vitro. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) was used to analyze the effects of different concentrations of CXCL12 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of three cell lines and examine the inhibition of neutralizing CXCR4 antibody or antagonist AMD3100. And the load and weight of acquired tumor were determined at different concentrations of CXCL12. RESULTS: CXCL12 could promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of SKOV3/CXCR4 cells in a dose-dependent fashion (P < 0.05). The effect on CXCL12 tumorigenesis could be inhibited by neutralizing CXCR4 antibody or antagonist AMD3100 (P < 0.05). Significant differences existed in the mean survival time, load and weight of metastatic tumors among the three nude mice. CONCLUSION: A close correlation exists between chemokine axis CXCL12-CXCR4 and the pathogenesis, metastasis of epithelial ovarian cancer. The above axis may be an important pathogenic factor of epithelial ovarian cancer. And the antibody of CXCL12-CXCR4 is probably effective in its management.

[Expression and identification of specific autoantigens in autoimmune hepatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To express and identify soluble liver antigen (SLA) and cytochrome P-450 (CYP 2D6). METHODS: SLA cDNA and CYP 2D6 cDNA were obtained from human liver tissue poly (A)+RNA by RT-PCR. The cDNAs were inserted into fusion expression vector PQE-30 site of BamH I and Hind III. SLA and CYP 2D6 were identified by the SDS-PAGE and Western blot. RESULTS: SDS-PAGE analysis showed that there was a very strong stained band at about 47 kd and 50 kd, respectively. The products could specifically band to anti-SLA or anti-CYP 2D6 autoantibodies. CONCLUSIONS: The clone and expression of SLA and CYP 2D6 provide useful substances for the diagnosis and research of pathogenesis on autoimmune hepatitis.