Development and characterization of 25 microsatellite primers for Ilex chinensis (Aquifoliaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: To evaluate genetic variation and structure of Ilex chinensis (Aquifoliaceae), a dioecious evergreen tree, we developed 25 microsatellite markers from its nuclear genome. METHODS AND RESULTS: Based on the biotin-streptavidin capture method, 10 polymorphic and 15 monomorphic microsatellite markers were developed. Ten polymorphic loci were characterized by 87 individuals sampled from three populations located in Zhejiang Province and Shanghai, China. The number of alleles per locus varied from two to 12. The observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.0435-0.9032 and 0.3121-0.8343, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These microsatellite markers can be useful for further genetic studies of I. chinensis populations, and so contribute to forest restoration and management.

The role of heat shock protein 70 in the protective effect of YC-1 on heat stroke rats.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening illness characterized by an elevated core body temperature. Despite adequate lowering of the body temperature and support treatment of multiple organ-system function, heat stroke is often fatal. 3-(5'-Hydoxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzyl-indazol (YC-1) been identified as an activator of soluble guanylate cyclase. To evaluate whether YC-1 protects multiple organ dysfunctions and improves survival during heat stroke and its mechanism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats untreated or treated with either YC-1 or quercetin (heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 inhibitor) were exposures to heat as a model of heat stroke. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, rectal temperature (Tco), survival time, and plasma biochemical data, intracellular Hsp70 and heat shock factor-1 expression were measured. The value of MAP, heart rate and Tco of untreated heat stroke (HS) group were all significantly lower than that of normothermal (NT) group. Biochemical markers evidenced that liver and kidney injuries of HS group were significantly higher than that of NT groups. YC-1 (20mg/kg) pretreatment with heat stroke (YC-1+HS) group, the MAP and heart rate were return to normal, and the biochemical markers were all significantly recovered to normal. The survival time of HS group, NT group and YC-1+HS group were 21, 480, and 445 min, respectively. The expression of Hsp70 and HSF-1 in liver and renal of YC-1+HS group was significantly higher than that of HS group. All of the protective effects of YC-1 were all significantly suppressed when pretreated with quercetin (400mg/kg). Results indicate that YC-1 may improve survival due to induce Hsp70 overexpression.

[Spatio-temporal distribution of TN and TP in water and evaluation of eutrophic state of Lake Nansi].

Based on the seasonally investigating data from Lake Nansi during 2010 to 2011, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in water were analyzed, and the trophic state was also assessed. The results showed that the average concentrations of TN and TP were 2.617 mg x L(-1) and 0.110 mg x L(-1) respectively. The spatial variations of TN and TP in water were significantly different in four lake regions with the highest value of two parameters (3.830 mg x L(-1) and 0.192 mg x L(-1) respectively) were all found in Lake Nanyang while the lowest value in Lake Dushan (2.106 mg x L(-1)) and Lake Weishan (0.067 mg x L(-1)) respectively. Seasonally, the concentrations of TN in Lake Nansi had no significant difference, but the concentrations of TN in summer (2.805 mg x L(-1)) and spring (3.049 mg x L(-1)) were obviously higher than that in autumn (2.160 mg x L(-1)) and winter (2.452 mg x L(-1)), and that in four lake regions showed no uniform variation trends. While the seasonal change of the concentrations of TP in water were significantly different not only in Lake Nansi but also in its four lake regions, the variation trends were uniform with summer > spring > autumn > winter. Generally, the water quality of Lake Nansi has reached light eutrophication, among which, Lake Nanyang was in middle eutrophic state, while other three lake regions were in light eutrophic state. Integrated analysis indicted that external pollution was still the main influence factors of water quality in Lake Nansi, meanwhile, the pollution caused by pen fish culture was urgent for the control of non-point pollution sources.

A case-control study on the relationship between salt intake and salty taste and risk of gastric cancer.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between salt intake and salty taste and risk of gastric cancer. METHODS: A 1:2 matched hospital based case-control study including 300 patients with gastric cancer and 600 cancer-free subjects as controls. Subjects were interviewed with a structured questionnaire containing 80 items, which elicited information on dietary, lifestyle habits, smoking and drinking histories. Subjects were tested for salt taste sensitivity threshold (STST) using concentrated saline solutions (0.22-58.4 g/L). Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: Alcohol and tobacco consumption increased the risk of gastric cancer [OR (95% CI) was 2.27 (1.27-4.04) for alcohol and 2.41 (1.51-3.87) for tobacco]. A protective effect was observed in frequent consumption of fresh vegetable and fruit [OR (95% CI) was 0.92 (0.58-0.98) for fresh vegetable and 0.87 (0.67-0.93) for fruit]. Strong association was found between STST ≥ 5 and gastric cancer [OR = 5.71 (3.18-6.72)]. Increased STST score was significantly associated with salted food intake and salty taste preference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A high STST score is strongly associated with gastric cancer risk. STST can be used to evaluate an inherited characteristic of salt preference, and it is a simple index to verify the salt intake in clinic.