Genome-Wide Identified MADS-Box Genes in Prunus campanulata 'Plena' and Theirs Roles in Double-Flower Development.

The MADS-box gene family plays key roles in flower induction, floral initiation, and floral morphogenesis in flowering plants. To understand their functions in the double-flower formation of Prunus campanulata 'Plena' (hereafter referred to as PCP), which is an excellent flowering cherry cultivar, we performed genome-wide identification of the MADS-box gene family. In this study, 71 MADS-box genes were identified and grouped into the Mα, Mß, Mγ and MIKC subfamilies according to their structures and phylogenetic relationships. All 71 MADS-box genes were located on eight chromosomes of PCP. Analysis of the cis-acting elements in the promoter region of MADS-box genes indicated that they were associated mainly with auxin, abscisic acid, gibberellin, MeJA (methyl jasmonate), and salicylic acid responsiveness, which may be involved in floral development and differentiation. By observing the floral organ phenotype, we found that the double-flower phenotype of PCP originated from petaloid stamens. The analysis of MIKC-type MADS-box genes in PCP vegetative and floral organs by qRT-PCR revealed six upregulated genes involved in petal development and three downregulated genes participating in stamen identity. Comparative analysis of petaloid stamens and normal stamens also indicated that the expression level of the AG gene (PcMADS40) was significantly reduced. Thus, we speculated that these upregulated and downregulated genes, especially PcMADS40, may lead to petaloid stamen formation and thus double flowers. This study lays a theoretical foundation for MADS-box gene identification and classification and studying the molecular mechanism underlying double flowers in other ornamental plants.

Risk behaviours and prevalences of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in various venues in Changzhou, China.

Female sex workers (FSWs) play an important role in the heterosexual transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in China. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 609 FSWs from various venues in Changzhou to investigate risk behaviours and prevalences of HIV and STIs among FSW subgroups. Structured questionnaires were used in face-to-face interviews to collect information. Blood and cervical specimens were collected to test for HIV, syphilis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections. The overall prevalences of syphilis, NG and CT were 5.6, 2.3 and 17.0%, respectively. The highest prevalence of syphilis (13.8%, P < 0.001) was observed among FSWs in low-class (LC) venues. No case of HIV infection was found. Less than half of all FSWs (40.7%) reported consistent condom use with clients during the last month. A multivariate analysis revealed a 13-fold increased risk for FSWs with NG infection to be infected with syphilis and a four-fold increased risk for FSWs aged 30-39 years to have a CT infection relative to FSWs aged 15-20 years. The prevalences of STIs were high, and risky sexual behaviours were common, especially among FSWs in LC venues. More tailored and comprehensive prevention programmes should be developed for specific FSW subgroups.

[Costimulatory molecule CD40 expression in thyroid tissue of Graves' disease patients and its immune pathogenetic significance].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of costimulatory molecule CD40 in thyroid tissue of Graves' disease patients and understand its immune pathogenetic significance. METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2011, 8 patients undergoing partial thyroidectomy for Graves' disease (n = 3) or non-toxic goiter (n = 5) at Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were enrolled. Using the method of immunohistochemistry, the expression of CD40 was detected in their thyroid tissues. Variation in CD40 expression on thyroid follicular (TFC) in primary cultures was analyzed in the absence (no stimulation group) or presence of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (IFN-γ stimulation group), interferon-6 (IL-6) (IL-6 stimulation group)and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (TNF-α stimulation group) with flow cytometry. IFN-γ-stimulated TFC were cultured with agonist CD40 monoclonal antibody (5C11) (IFN-γ + CD40 group) or isotypic mouse IgG (mIgG) antibody (IFN-γ + mIgG group). And the proliferation of TFC was assessed by 3-(4,5)-dimethyl-thiazolyl-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assays for each donor. The production of free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) and the release of thyroglobulin (Tg) were measured with radioimmunoassays. RESULTS: The expression of CD40 on infiltrated lymphocytes and TFC were detected in Graves' disease but not in non-toxic goiter patient tissues. Compared with no stimulation group (23.7% ± 7.3%), the expression of CD40 on TFC increased in IFN-γ stimulation group (86.4% ± 4.6%), IL-6 stimulation group (90.0% ± 4.2%) and TNF-α stimulation group (87.3% ± 4.2%). Compared with the IFN-γ + mIgG group (0.75 ± 0.06), the TFC proliferation of IFN-γ + CD40 group (1.14 ± 0.14) significantly increased (P < 0.01). The levels of FT3, FT4 and Tg secretion of IFN-γ + CD40 group were (1.10 ± 0.15) pmol/L, (0.80 ± 0.14) pmol/L and (30.23 ± 1.60) µg/L respectively. They were all significantly increased compared with the IFN-γ + mIgG group, of which the FT3, FT4 and Tg production were (0.76 ± 0.07) pmol/L, (0.63 ± 0.09) pmol/L and (21.37 ± 3.22) µg/L respectively (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CD40 is abnormally expressed in thyroid tissue of Graves' disease patients. And its costimulatory signal may take part in the immunopathologic mechanism of Graves' disease.

[Rare blood group screening by serological and molecular methods in Zhejiang Han population].

This study was aimed to investigate the distribution of rare blood group in Zhejiang Han population. The H(-) (H system), GPA(-) and s(-) (MNS), Rhnull, Rhmod, D--, CCDEE, CCdEE (variations of Rh), GPC(-) (Gerbich), i(+) (I), Lu(b-) (Lutheran), Js(b-) and k(-) (Kell), Fy(a-) (Duffy), Ok(a-) (Ok), Di(b-) (Diego) phenotypes were screened by serological or molecular methods. Jk (a-b-) phenotype was detected by urea hemolytic test. The results showed that one Di (a+b-) individual was found in 1618 blood donors, three Fy (a-b+) individuals in 1007 donors and one CCdEE individual in 633 Rh negative donors. No Jk (a-b-), H(-), GPA(-), s(-), GPC(-), i(+) (adult), Lu(b-), k(-), Js(b-), Lu(b-) and Ok(a-) phenotypes were found in this large scale survey. It is concluded that Di (a+b-), Fy (a-b+), CCdEE phenotypes are confirmed in the blood donors and this study provides the distribution data of erythrocyte rare blood group in Zhejiang Han population.