Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the altitude adaptability and evolution of different-colored flowers in alpine Rhododendron species.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary process of plant adaptation to the heterogeneous environment caused by altitude gradients in plateau mountain ecosystems can provide novel insight into species' responses to global changes. Flower color is the most conspicuous and highly diverse trait in nature. Herein, the gene expression patterns, evolutionary adaptation and metabolites changes of different-colored flowers of alpine Rhododendron L. species along altitude gradients were investigated based on a combined analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics. Differentially expressed genes were found to be related to the biosynthesis of carbohydrates, fatty acids, amino acids and flavonoids, suggesting their important roles in the altitude adaptability of Rhododendron species. The evolution rate of high-altitude species was faster than that of low-altitude species. Genes related to DNA repair, mitogen-activated protein kinase and ABA signal transduction, and lipoic acid and propanoate metabolism were positively selected in the flowers of high-altitude Rhododendron species and those associated with carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, ABA signal transduction and ethylene signal transduction were positively selected in low-altitude species. These results indicated that the genes with differentiated expressions or functions exhibit varying evolution during the adaptive divergence of heterogeneous environment caused by altitude gradients. Flower-color variation might be attributed to the significant differences in gene expression or metabolites related to sucrose, flavonoids and carotenoids at the transcription or metabolism levels of Rhododendron species. This work suggests that Rhododendron species have multiple molecular mechanisms in their adaptation to changing environments caused by altitude gradients.

Exploration of common bile duct for treating hepatic cystic echinococcosis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of exploration of common bile duct through cystic duct or T type tube in CE patients. METHODS: One hundred and fifty six patients with chronic CE received decompression of biliary tract from January 2007 to December 2012 were included. Exploration of common bile duct was performed through cystic duct (n=102) or T type tube (n=54). Psychological reactions were monitored including inconvenient position alteration due to carrying of the drainage tube, anxiety of the folding and prolapse of drainage tube, folding of the drainage tube, and any pain during the body position change. RESULTS: No significant difference was noticed in the body position alteration discomfort in both groups (P>0.05). Statistical difference was noted in the anxiety of folding and prolapse of draining tube (P<0.05), and improvement of the clinical symptoms (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A higher possibility of wound, enlarged tube-carrying duration, and lower sense of discomfort, were noticed in patients underwent exploration of common bile duct through T type tube. Higher sense of comfort was reported in patients received exploration of common bile duct through cystic duct tube.

[Characteristics of the PAH gene mutation in Chinese patients with phenylketonuria in Xinjiang].

OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics of the PAH gene mutation in patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) in Xinjiang area. METHODS: The mutations in exons 3, 5, 6, 7, 11 and 12 and the flanking intronic sequence of the PAH gene were detected by PCR/SSCP analysis and direct DNA sequencing in 46 PKU patients. RESULTS: Twenty different mutations were found in 68/92 alleles (73.9%). The prevalent mutations of R243Q, EX6 96A>G, R111X, Y356X and V399V were similar to that of Northern China populations. The mutations F161S, L255S, P281L, and R413P were significantly different from that in other Chinese populations. It was the second time that E280G and A434D mutations were reported in the world, that L255S, P281L, R261Q, and I65T mutations were found in China. Thirteen different mutations were first found in Chinese Uygur, which showed a distinct ethnic characteristics. CONCLUSION: The study showed not only a distinct and conservative, but also a crossed and syncretic genetic characteristics in Xinjiang Uygur population. The results suggest that Xinjiang could be an ideal genetic resource repertoire for studying diversity of gene mutations, heterogeneity of PAH gene, human origins and migration.