Identification of three new microsatellites and their effects on body measurement traits in pigs using time of flight-mass spectrometry (TOF-MS).

The body status of livestock affects their physiological function and productive performances. Microsatellites, one of the most used DNA markers, have been found to be associated with pig productive traits. However, their identifications and effects on body measurement traits of the Chinese Qinghai Bamei pig still uncovered. According to our previous sequencing data, in this study, three novel microsatellites were found in this breed. Using time of flight-mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) method, these microsatellites were further identified in a large Bamei pig population. TOF-MS spectra showed that there are three microsatellites loci, named P1, P2 and P3. These microsatellites were linkage equilibrium based on the values of D' and r2 tests. Association results demonstrated that P1 locus was associated with the body length, body height and chest width and the beneficial genotype was 150-/150-bp (p < 0.05); and P2 locus was associated with the body height (p < 0.05), and the 145-/145-bp, 145-/147-bp and 145-/149-bp were claimed as favorable genotypes and 145-bp allele was considered as the favorable allele. These findings suggested that P1 and P2 microsatellites might be considered as the candidate genetic markers to select pigs with superior body sizes, especially in local breed.

[Comparison of Four-hook Needle and Memory Alloy Coil 
in Localization of Pulmonary Nodules].

BACKGROUND: With the extensive development of minimally invasive surgery for pulmonary nodules, preoperative localization becomes more and more critical. There are some defects in traditional localization methods, so it is necessary to improve. The aim of this study was to compare and analyze the safety and effectiveness of two new methods, namely four-hook needle and memory alloy coil, in the localization of pulmonary nodules. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 152 patients was performed. 76 cases were in four-hook needle group, and 76 cases were in memory alloy coil group. Pulmonary nodules were located before operation, and then video-assisted wedge resection was performed. The average procedure time, localization complications and nodule resection time were counted. RESULTS: The target pulmonary nodules were successfully removed in both groups. In four-hook needle group, 76 patients found localization devices, all the pulmonary nodules were successfully removed, and one case was transferred to open the chest for wedge resection of pulmonary nodules due to severe thoracic adhesion. All 76 patients in memory alloy coil group were successfully resected with pulmonary nodules, and one patient underwent compromising enlarged resection because no lesion was found after the specimen was removed during the operation. There was no significant difference in the incidence of pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage, the success rate of localization and nodule wedge resection time between the two groups. The average time of localization in four-hook needle group was (13.66±3.11) min, lower than that of memory alloy coil group (15.51±3.65) min, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). In memory alloy coil group, when the distance from the nodule to the pleura was ≥1.5 cm and <1.5 cm, the average localization time was (17.20±4.46) min and (14.91±3.15) min, respectively, and there was a statistical difference between the two distance (P=0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Four-hook needle and memory alloy coil have good safety and effectiveness, and the localization time of four-hook needle is shorter. When using memory alloy coil, the effect of the method is better for pulmonary nodules with a distance less than 1.5 cm to pleura.

Mathematical prediction model of computed tomography signs is superior to intraoperative frozen section in the diagnosis of ground-glass nodular invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung.

BACKGROUND: At present, lobectomy is still the standard treatment for lung cancer. Judging whether a lesion is invasive adenocarcinoma (IA) has important guiding significance for determining the scope of surgical resection. The commonly used methods are intraoperative frozen sections and computed tomography (CT) signs. There is still controversy about the accuracy of both in judging the invasiveness of ground-glass nodules (GGNs). METHODS: The clinical data of patients with GGNs who underwent surgery were collected. According to the results of univariate analysis, the variables with statistical differences were selected and included in logistic regression multivariate analysis. The predictive variables were determined and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn in order to achieve the area under the curve (AUC) value. RESULTS: According to the results of logistic regression analysis, the longest diameter and maximum CT value of nodules were independent risk factors for IA. The mathematical prediction model of CT signs was determined, and the ROC curves of CT signs and intraoperative frozen sections (FS) were drawn, respectively. The AUC values under the curves were calculated to be 0.873 and 0.807, respectively. The mathematical prediction model of intraoperative frozen section combined with CT signs was established. A ROC curve was drawn and the AUC was calculated to be 0.925. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic accuracy of CT signs in judging whether nonbenign GGNs were IA was higher than that of intraoperative FS. Combined with CT signs and intraoperative FS to establish a mathematical prediction model, the diagnostic accuracy of judging whether nonbenign GGNs are IA is significantly improved.

A novel (ATC)n microsatellite locus is associated with litter size in an indigenous Chinese pig.

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are an important part of the genome and have become powerful auxiliary DNA markers in animal breeding using marker-assisted selection (MAS). Based on previous sequencing data of Qinghai Bamei pigs, a total of three novel candidate SSR loci were analysed in this study. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) was used for SSR genotyping, and association analyses between SSRs and the litter size of Qinghai Bamei sows was also performed. The results of genotyping showed that the (ATC)n -P1, (AC)n -P2 and (AC)n -P3 loci had 2, 3 and 18 genotypes, respectively; 2, 3 and 8 alleles were also identified at these loci. Except for the (AC)n -P2 locus, the polymorphism information content (PIC) values of other loci were greater than 0.25. Association analyses indicated that only the (ATC)n -P1 locus was significantly associated with the litter size of Qinghai Bamei sows (p = .047). Compared to 189-/189- genotype, individuals with the 189-/195- genotype had the senior litter size, which was 9.04 ± 0.21. Our results enrich the data on SSRs in Qinghai Bamei pigs and indicate that (ATC)n -P1 is a candidate locus for MAS in the pig industry.

MicroRNAs and the PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway in gastric cancer (Review).

Gastric carcinogenesis arises from complicated interactions among host, environmental and bacterial factors, which cause genetic and epigenetic dysregulation of oncogenic and tumor­suppressive genes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non­coding RNAs that post­transcriptionally regulate ~30% human genes, may serve as oncogenes or tumor­suppressors in malignancies, including gastric cancer (GC). Although miRNA dysregulation commonly exists in GC, exact roles miRNAs serve in the pathogenesis and promotion of this tumor remain undetermined. Recently, results of previous studies regarding mechanisms underlying miRNAs generally converged on pathways critical in cellular processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion, among which phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/phosphatidylinositol 3­kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling is a fundamental one, with frequent oncogenic alterations in GC. Therefore, in the present review, the disorder and function of miRNAs and PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling in GC are discussed. Additionally, how miRNAs transduce their effects by regulating this pathway, particularly in GC stem cells and the tumor microenvironment, and two novel hypotheses significant in carcinogenesis, tumor progression and recurrence, are discussed. Furthermore, the roles of miRNAs and the PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway in target therapies against this lethal disease are outlined.