RNase P: Beyond Precursor tRNA Processing.

Ribonuclease P (RNase P) was first described in the 1970's as an endoribonuclease acting in the maturation of precursor transfer RNAs (tRNAs). More recent studies, however, have uncovered non-canonical roles for RNase P and its components. Here, we review the recent progress of its involvement in chromatin assembly, DNA damage response, and maintenance of genome stability with implications in tumorigenesis. The possibility of RNase P as a therapeutic target in cancer is also discussed.

Key drivers of hypoxia revealed by time-series data in the coastal waters of Muping, China.

Coastal hypoxia (low dissolved oxygen in seawater) is a cumulative result of many physical and biochemical processes. However, it is often difficult to determine the key drivers of hypoxia due to the lack of frequent observational oceanographic and meteorological data. In this study, high-frequency time-series observational data of dissolved oxygen (DO) and related parameters in the coastal waters of Muping, China, were used to analyze the temporal pattern of hypoxia and its key drivers. Two complete cycles with the formation and destruction of hypoxia were captured over the observational period. Persistent thermal stratification, high winds and phytoplankton blooms are identified as key drivers of hypoxia in this region. Hypoxia largely occurs due to persistent thermal stratification in summer, and hypoxia can be noticeably relieved when strong wind mixing weakens thermal stratification. Furthermore, we found that northerly high winds are more efficient at eroding stratification than southerly winds and thus have a greater ability to relieve hypoxia. This study revealed an episodic hypoxic event driven by a phytoplankton bloom that was probably triggered by terrestrial nutrient loading, confirming the causal relationship between phytoplankton blooms and hypoxia. In addition, we found that the lag time between nutrient loading, phytoplankton blooms and hypoxia can be as short as one week. This study could help better understand the development of hypoxia and forecast phytoplankton and hypoxia, which are beneficial for aquaculture in this region.

Clinical Values of Serum Uric Acid Levels in the Occurrence of Cognitive Impairment in Alcohol-Dependent Patients.

Objective: Studies have confirmed that uric acid is involved in the regulation of cognitive function. This study aimed to investigate the expression of serum uric acid in alcohol-dependent patients and evaluate its clinical diagnostic value for cognitive impairment. Methods: Blood sample was collected for assessment of serum uric acid levels. Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale scores were obtained to assess cognitive function. Anxiety and depression scores on the Symptom Check List 90 scale were used to assess mental health status. The alcohol-dependent patients were divided into non-cognitive impairment and cognitive impairment groups according to Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale score, and the serum uric acid levels of these groups were analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic curve evaluated the diagnostic value of serum uric acid in cognitive impairment patients. Pearson correlation coefficient evaluated the correlation between uric acid and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale score, anxiety score, and depression score. Multivariate logistic regression analyzed the association between each index and cognitive impairment in patients. Results: Serum uric acid was higher in patients than in controls (P < .001). Uric acid was significantly increased in cognitive impairment patients than in non-cognitive impairment patients (P < .001). Serum uric acid has certain diagnostic value in patients with cognitive impairment. Anxiety score and depression score were positively correlated with uric acid level, while Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale score was negatively correlated with uric acid. Additionally, serum uric acid, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale score, and anxiety and depression scores were the risk factors for cognitive impairment in patients (P < .05). Conclusion: The abnormal expression of uric acid has a high diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing cognitive impairment from non-cognitive impairment.

Diagnostic value and correlation analysis of deregulated oxy-Hb disorder in cognitive impairment in patients with alcohol dependence.

AIM: To explore the expression of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) in the brain of patients with alcohol dependence. Further, to evaluate the diagnostic value of oxy-Hb in the cognitive impairment of patients with alcohol dependence. METHODS: Seventy-one alcohol-dependent adults and 70 healthy adults were recruited in the observation and control groups, respectively. The oxy-Hb level and scores of Wisconsin card sorting test, brief visuospatial memory test-revised, digital sequence test, digital span test, and continuous performance test were recorded and compared between the two groups. Further, the sensitivity and specificity of the oxy-Hb level for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment in patients with alcohol dependence were evaluated by drawing an ROC curve. Moreover, the correlation between the oxy-Hb level and cognitive function test scores was analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: During cognitive activities, the oxy-Hb levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (p<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) of oxy-Hb was 0.930, and the sensitivity and specificity were 89.1% and 84.0%, respectively. The scores of responses administered, trials to compete first category, perseverative responses, and the perseverative response errors in executive function in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (p<0.001), whereas the correct responses score and categories completed score were lower than those in the control group (p<0.001). Similarly, the memory and attention scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (p<0.001). Moreover, the scores of correct responses, categories completed, brief visuospatial memory test-revised, digital sequence test, digital span test, and continuous performance test were positively correlated with the level of oxy-Hb (p<0.05). However, the scores of responses administered, trials to compete first category, and perseverative response errors were negatively correlated with the oxy-Hb level (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The oxy-Hb levels are reduced in patients with alcohol dependence and have high diagnostic accuracy for cognitive impairment in such patients.

Systematic identification and functional characterization of the CFEM proteins in poplar fungus Marssonina brunnea.

Proteins containing Common in Fungal Extracellular Membrane (CFEM) domains uniquely exist in fungi and play significant roles in their whole life history. In this study, a total of 11 MbCFEM proteins were identified from Marssonina brunnea f. sp. multigermtubi (MULT), a hemibiotrophic pathogenic fungus on poplars that causes severe leaf diseases. Phylogenic analysis showed that the 11 proteins (MbCFEM1-11) were divided into three clades based on the trans-membrane domain and the CFEM domain. Sequence alignment and WebLogo analysis of CFEM domains verified the amino acids conservatism therein. All of them possess eight cysteines except MbCFEM4 and MbCFEM11, which lack two cysteines each. Six MbCFEM proteins with a signal peptide and without trans-membrane domain were considered as candidate effectors for further functional analysis. Three-dimensional (3D) models of their CFEM domains presented a helical-basket structure homologous to the crucial virulence factor Csa2 of Candida albicans. Afterward, four (MbCFEM1, 6, 8, and 9) out of six candidate effectors were successfully cloned and a yeast signal sequence trap (YSST) assay confirmed their secretion activity. Pathogen challenge assays demonstrated that the transient expression of four candidate MbCFEM effectors in Nicotiana benthamiana promoted Fusarium proliferatum infection, respectively. In an N. benthamiana heterogeneous expression system, MbCFEM1, MbCFEM6, and MbCFEM9 appeared to suppress both BAX/INF1-triggered PCD, whereas MbCFEM8 could only defeat BAX-triggered PCD. Additionally, subcellular localization analysis indicated that the four candidate MbCFEM effectors accumulate in the cell membrane, nucleus, chloroplast, and cytosolic bodies. These results demonstrate that MbCFEM1, MbCFEM6, MbCFEM8, and MbCFEM9 are effectors of M. brunnea and provide valuable targets for further dissection of the molecular mechanisms underlying the poplar-M. brunnea interaction.

Post-Translational Modifications by Lipid Metabolites during the DNA Damage Response and Their Role in Cancer.

Genomic DNA damage occurs as an inevitable consequence of exposure to harmful exogenous and endogenous agents. Therefore, the effective sensing and repair of DNA damage are essential for maintaining genomic stability and cellular homeostasis. Inappropriate responses to DNA damage can lead to genomic instability and, ultimately, cancer. Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) are a key regulator of the DNA damage response (DDR), and recent progress in mass spectrometry analysis methods has revealed that a wide range of metabolites can serve as donors for PTMs. In this review, we will summarize how the DDR is regulated by lipid metabolite-associated PTMs, including acetylation, S-succinylation, N-myristoylation, palmitoylation, and crotonylation, and the implications for tumorigenesis. We will also discuss potential novel targets for anti-cancer drug development.

Regulation of ATR-CHK1 signaling by ubiquitination of CLASPIN.

DNA replication forks are frequently forced into stalling by persistent DNA aberrations generated from endogenous or exogenous insults. Stalled replication forks are catastrophic for genome integrity and cell survival if not immediately stabilized. The ataxia-telangiectasia and RAD3-related kinase (ATR)-CLASPIN-checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) signaling cascade is a pivotal mechanism that initiates cell-cycle checkpoints and stabilizes stalled replication forks, assuring the faithful duplication of genomic information before entry into mitosis. The timely recovery of checkpoints after stressors are resolved is also crucial for normal cell proliferation. The precise activation and inactivation of ATR-CHK1 signaling are usually efficiently regulated by turnover and the cellular re-localization of the adaptor protein CLASPIN. The ubiquitination-proteasome-mediated degradation of CLASPIN, driven by APC/CCDH1 and SCFßTrCP, results in a cell-cycle-dependent fluctuation pattern of CLASPIN levels, with peak levels seen in S/G2 phase when it functions in the DNA replisome or as an adaptor protein in ATR-CHK1 signaling under replication stress. Deubiquitination mediated by a series of ubiquitin-specific protease family proteins releases CLASPIN from proteasome-dependent destruction and activates the ATR-CHK1 checkpoint to overcome replication stress. Moreover, the non-proteolytic ubiquitination of CLASPIN also affects CHK1 activation by regulating CLASPIN localization. In this review, we discuss the functions of CLASPIN ubiquitination with specific linkage types in the regulation of the ATR-CHK1 signaling pathway. Research in this area is progressing at pace and provides promising chemotherapeutic targets.

Diagnostic values of Xpert MTB/RIF, T-SPOT.TB and adenosine deaminase for HIV-negative tuberculous pericarditis in a high burden setting: a prospective observational study.

The diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis (TBP) remains challenging. This prospective study evaluated the diagnostic value of Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) and T-SPOT.TB and adenosine deaminase (ADA) for TBP in a high burden setting. A total of 123 HIV-negative patients with suspected TBP were enrolled at a tertiary referral hospital in China. Pericardial fluids were collected and subjected to the three rapid tests, and the results were compared with the final confirmed diagnosis. Of 105 patients in the final analysis, 39 (37.1%) were microbiologically, histopathologically or clinically diagnosed with TBP. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for Xpert were 66.7%, 98.5%, 96.3%, 83.3%, 44.0, 0.338, and 130.0, respectively, compared to 92.3%, 87.9%, 81.8%, 95.1%, 7.6, 0.088, and 87.0, respectively, for T-SPOT.TB, and 82.1%, 92.4%, 86.5%, 89.7%, 10.8, 0.194, and 55.8, respectively, for ADA (≥ 40 U/L). ROC curve analysis revealed a cut-off point of 48.5 spot-forming cells per million pericardial effusion mononuclear cells for T-SPOT.TB, which had a DOR value of 183.8, while a cut-off point of 41.5 U/L for ADA had a DOR value of 70.9. Xpert (Step 1: rule-in) followed by T-SPOT.TB [cut-off point] (Step 2: rule-out) showed the highest DOR value of 252.0, with only 5.7% (6/105) of patients misdiagnosed. The two-step algorithm consisting of Xpert and T-SPOT.TB could offer rapid and accurate diagnosis of TBP.

Analysis of the interannual variation characteristics of the northernmost drift position of the green tide in the Yellow Sea.

The green tide in the Yellow Sea is the world's largest macroalgal bloom. The maximum area affected by green tide can reach tens of thousands of square kilometers. Previous studies have shown that green tide drifts northward during the outbreak, yet the location of its northernmost drift and the characteristics of interannual variations have not been explored in detail. In this paper, we use the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) data, GaoFen-1 (GF-1) satellite data, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) aerial data, and field trips for extraction and monitoring of green tide and then analyze the emergence, development, and dissipation of the green tide in Rongcheng coastal waters and the change of the northernmost drift position and its related factors from the year of 2013 to 2018. The results show that green tide have drifted to the Rongcheng coastal area over the years and the northernmost drift position can reach 37.662° N in 2014. Interannual difference of the northernmost position of the drift of the green tide is obvious, it is mainly affected by the wind, and there is no certain connection with the maximum coverage area, the coverage area when reaching the northernmost position, and the existence days of the green tide. These results can help to understand the drift range and dissipation process of green tide in the Yellow Sea.

Long-term prognostic value of coronary computed tomography angiography for asymptomatic patients with CAD in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The present study was performed to investigate the prognostic value of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) results for asymptomatic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 164 asymptomatic patients with T2DM were enrolled at Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital (Weifang, China). Coronary plaques and stenosis severity were evaluated after CTA. Structures >1 mm2 adjacent to or within the coronary artery lumen that could be clearly separated from the vessel lumen, was scored as a coronary plaque. Stenosis of ≥50% was considered as being obstructive. CAD was defined as the presence of any coronary plaque or a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score of >0. A CAC score of 0 and no coronary plaques was considered to indicate the absence of CAD. A 5-year follow-up was performed to determine the impact of the CTA findings and various clinicopathological characteristics on the prognosis of all participants. The primary end-point was any cardiac event. Event-free survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Based on the coronary CTA results, the patients were classified into 3 groups according to the extent of stenosis: Normal coronary arteries, obstructive CAD and non-obstructive CAD. Significant differences in 5-year event-free survival were identified among the groups with normal coronary arteries, non-obstructive CAD and obstructive CAD (P=0.026). Further analysis indicated that the event-free survival rate of patients with 1-vessel CAD was 94.11%, that of patients with 2-vessel CAD was 73.68% and that associated with 3-vessel CAD was 61.54%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that non-obstructive as well as obstructive CAD diagnosed by coronary CTA are prognostic indicators for asymptomatic T2DM patients [hazard ratio (HR)=11.132, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.857-66.742, P=0.008; HR=7.792, 95% CI: 1.750-34.698, P=0.007, respectively]. In conclusion, the present study suggests that coronary CTA may predict the prognosis of asymptomatic patients with T2DM.

STAYGREEN, STAY HEALTHY: a loss-of-susceptibility mutation in the STAYGREEN gene provides durable, broad-spectrum disease resistances for over 50 years of US cucumber production.

The Gy14 cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is resistant to oomyceteous downy mildew (DM), bacterial angular leaf spot (ALS) and fungal anthracnose (AR) pathogens, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for the disease resistances in Gy14 and further map-based cloning identified a candidate gene for the resistant loci, which was validated and functionally characterized by spatial-temporal gene expression profiling, allelic diversity and phylogenetic analysis, as well as local association studies. We showed that the triple-disease resistances in Gy14 were controlled by the cucumber STAYGREEN (CsSGR) gene. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the coding region resulted in a nonsynonymous amino acid substitution in the CsSGR protein, and thus disease resistance. Genes in the chlorophyll degradation pathway showed differential expression between resistant and susceptible lines in response to pathogen inoculation. The causal SNP was significantly associated with disease resistances in natural and breeding populations. The resistance allele has undergone selection in cucumber breeding. The durable, broad-spectrum disease resistance is caused by a loss-of-susceptibility mutation of CsSGR. Probably, this is achieved through the inhibition of reactive oxygen species over-accumulation and phytotoxic catabolite over-buildup in the chlorophyll degradation pathway. The CsSGR-mediated host resistance represents a novel function of this highly conserved gene in plants.

STAYGREEN (CsSGR) is a candidate for the anthracnose (Colletotrichum orbiculare) resistance locus cla in Gy14 cucumber.

KEY MESSAGE: Map-based cloning identified a candidate gene for resistance to the anthracnose fungal pathogen Colletotrichum orbiculare in cucumber, which reveals a novel function for the highly conserved STAYGREEN family genes for host disease resistance in plants. Colletotrichum orbiculare is a hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen that causes anthracnose disease in cucumber and other cucurbit crops. No host resistance genes against the anthracnose pathogens have been cloned in crop plants. Here, we reported fine mapping and cloning of a resistance gene to the race 1 anthracnose pathogen in cucumber inbred lines Gy14 and WI 2757. Phenotypic and QTL analysis in multiple populations revealed that a single recessive gene, cla, was underlying anthracnose resistance in both lines, but WI2757 carried an additional minor-effect QTL. Fine mapping using 150 Gy14 × 9930 recombinant inbred lines and 1043 F2 individuals delimited the cla locus into a 32 kb region in cucumber Chromosome 5 with three predicted genes. Multiple lines of evidence suggested that the cucumber STAYGREEN (CsSGR) gene is a candidate for the anthracnose resistance locus. A single nucleotide mutation in the third exon of CsSGR resulted in the substitution of Glutamine in 9930 to Arginine in Gy14 in CsSGR protein which seems responsible for the differential anthracnose inoculation responses between Gy14 and 9930. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that CsSGR was significantly upregulated upon anthracnose pathogen inoculation in the susceptible 9930, while its expression was much lower in the resistant Gy14. Investigation of allelic diversities in natural cucumber populations revealed that the resistance allele in almost all improved cultivars or breeding lines of the U.S. origin was derived from PI 197087. This work reveals an unknown function for the highly conserved STAYGREEN (SGR) family genes for host disease resistance in plants.

Sequential Combination of Microwave- and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Total Flavonoids from Osmanthus fragrans Lour. Flowers.

Microwave-assisted and ultrasound-assisted extraction assays were used to isolate total flavonoids (TF) from Osmanthus fragrans flowers. The effects of the solid-liquid ratio, ethanol concentration, microwave power, microwave extraction time, ultrasonic power and ultrasonic extraction time on the yield of TF were studied. A sequential combination of microwave- and ultrasound-assisted extraction (SC-MUAE) methods was developed, which was subsequently optimized by Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology (BBD-RSM). The interaction effects of the ethanol concentration (40-60%), microwave extraction time (5-7 min), ultrasonic extraction time (8-12 min) and ultrasonic power (210-430 W) on the yield of TF were investigated. The optimum operating parameters for the extraction of TF were determined to be as follows: ethanol concentration (48.15%), microwave extraction time (6.43 min), ultrasonic extraction time (10.09 min) and ultrasonic power (370.9 W). Under these conditions, the extraction yield of TF was 7.86 mg/g.

Association of Physical Activity With Risk of Major Cardiovascular Diseases in Chinese Men and Women.

Importance: In China, the patterns and levels of physical activity differed from those in high-income countries. Substantial uncertainty remains about the relevance, both qualitatively and quantitatively, of domain-specific physical activity for cardiovascular disease (CVD) subtypes in Chinese adults. Objective: To assess the shape and strength of the associations of total, occupational, and nonoccupational physical activity with CVD subtypes in Chinese men and women. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based prospective cohort study in 10 (5 urban, 5 rural) areas across China included 487 334 adults who were aged 30 to 79 (mean 51) years with no prior CVD history when enrolled from June 2004 to July 2008. Exposures: Self-reported total, occupational, and nonoccupational physical activity, quantified as metabolic equivalent of task hours per day (MET-h/d) based on the type, frequency, and duration of specific activities. Main Outcomes and Measures: Major vascular events (n = 36 184) and their components, including major coronary events (n = 5082), ischemic stroke (n = 25 647), intracerebral hemorrhage (n = 5252), and CVD death (n = 8437). Cox regression yielded adjusted hazard ratios for each disease that was associated with physical activity. Results: Of the 487 334 study participants, 287 527 (59%) were women and the mean (SD) age was 51 (10.5) years. The overall mean (SD) total physical activity was 21.5 (12.8) MET-h/d, mainly from occupational activity, especially among men (75% vs 50% in women). Total physical activity was inversely associated with the risk of major vascular events, with the adjusted hazard ratio that compared the top vs bottom quintiles of physical activity being 0.77 (95% CI, 0.74-0.80). Throughout the range of total physical activity studied, the association with CVD with each 4 MET-h/d higher usual total physical activity (approximately 1 hour of brisk walking per day) associated with a 6% (95% CI, 5%-7%) lower risk of major vascular events, and a 9%, 5%, 6%, and 12% lower risk of major coronary events, ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and CVD death, respectively. The strength of the associations was similar and independent of each other for occupational and nonoccupational physical activity. However, for occupational physical activity, the associations with CVD subtypes were greatly attenuated above 20 MET-h/d, especially for intracerebral hemorrhage. The associations of total physical activity with major vascular events were similar among men and women and across different levels of sedentary leisure time but were much weaker among individuals with high blood pressure. Conclusions and Relevance: Among Chinese adults, higher occupational or nonoccupational physical activity was associated with significantly lower risks of major CVD.

Fresh fruit consumption in relation to incident diabetes and diabetic vascular complications: A 7-y prospective study of 0.5 million Chinese adults.

BACKGROUND: Despite the well-recognised health benefits of fresh fruit consumption, substantial uncertainties remain about its potential effects on incident diabetes and, among those with diabetes, on risks of death and major vascular complications. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Between June 2004 and July 2008, the nationwide China Kadoorie Biobank study recruited 0.5 million adults aged 30-79 (mean 51) y from ten diverse localities across China. During ~7 y of follow-up, 9,504 new diabetes cases were recorded among 482,591 participants without prevalent (previously diagnosed or screen-detected) diabetes at baseline, with an overall incidence rate of 2.8 per 1,000 person-years. Among 30,300 (5.9%) participants who had diabetes at baseline, 3,389 deaths occurred (overall mortality rate 16.5 per 1,000), along with 9,746 cases of macrovascular disease and 1,345 cases of microvascular disease. Cox regression yielded adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) associating each disease outcome with self-reported fresh fruit consumption, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, sex, region, socio-economic status, other lifestyle factors, body mass index, and family history of diabetes. Overall, 18.8% of participants reported consuming fresh fruit daily, and 6.4% never/rarely (non-consumers), with the proportion of non-consumers about three times higher in individuals with previously diagnosed diabetes (18.9%) than in those with screen-detected diabetes (6.7%) or no diabetes (6.0%). Among those without diabetes at baseline, higher fruit consumption was associated with significantly lower risk of developing diabetes (adjusted HR = 0.88 [95% CI 0.83-0.93] for daily versus non-consumers, p < 0.001, corresponding to a 0.2% difference in 5-y absolute risk), with a clear dose-response relationship. Among those with baseline diabetes, higher fruit consumption was associated with lower risks of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR = 0.83 [95% CI 0.74-0.93] per 100 g/d) and microvascular (0.72 [0.61-0.87]) and macrovascular (0.87 [0.82-0.93]) complications (p < 0.001), with similar HRs in individuals with previously diagnosed and screen-detected diabetes; estimated differences in 5-y absolute risk between daily and non-consumers were 1.9%, 1.1%, and 5.4%, respectively. The main limitation of this study was that, owing to its observational nature, we could not fully exclude the effects of residual confounding. CONCLUSION: In this large epidemiological study in Chinese adults, higher fresh fruit consumption was associated with significantly lower risk of diabetes and, among diabetic individuals, lower risks of death and development of major vascular complications.

QTL mapping for downy mildew resistance in cucumber inbred line WI7120 (PI 330628).

KEY MESSAGE: Host resistance in WI7120 cucumber to prevailing downy mildew pathogen field populations is conferred by two major-effect, one moderate-effect and two minor-effect QTL. Downy mildew (DM) caused by the obligate oomycete Pseudoperonospora cubensis is the most devastating fungal disease of cucumber worldwide. The molecular mechanism of DM resistance in cucumber is poorly understood, and use of marker-assisted breeding for DM resistance is not widely available. Here, we reported QTL mapping results for DM resistance with 243 F2:3 families from the cross between DM-resistant inbred line WI7120 (PI 330628) and susceptible '9930'. A linkage map was developed with 348 SSR and SNP markers. Phenotyping of DM inoculation responses were conducted in four field trails in 2 years at three locations. Four QTL, dm2.1, dm4.1, dm5.1, and dm6.1 were consistently and reliably detected across at least three of the four environments which together could explain 62-76 % phenotypic variations (R (2)). Among them, dm4.1 and dm5.1 were major-effect QTL (R (2) = 15-30 %) with only additive effects; dm2.1 (R (2) = 5-15 %) and dm6.1 (R (2) = 4-8 %) had moderate and minor effects, respectively. Epistatic effects were detected for dm2.1 and dm6.1 with both dm4.1 and dm5.1. One additional minor-effect QTL, dm6.2 (R (2) = 3-5 %) was only detectable with the chlorosis rating criterion. All alleles contributing to DM resistance were from WI7120. This study revealed two novel QTL for DM resistance and the unique genetic architecture of DM resistance in WI7120 conferring high level resistance to prevailing DM populations in multiple countries. The effects of disease rating scales, rating time and criteria, population size in phenotyping DM resistance on the power of QTL detection, and the use of DM resistance in WI7120 in cucumber breeding were discussed.

Patterns and socio-demographic correlates of domain-specific physical activities and their associations with adiposity in the China Kadoorie Biobank study.

BACKGROUND: Domain-specific physical activities may have different correlates and health effects, but few large studies have examined these questions, especially their separate associations with adiposity. METHODS: We analysed cross-sectional data of 466 605 adults without any prior chronic diseases, enrolled during 2004-8, from 10 diverse localities across China. Physical activity level in each of 4 domains (occupation, commuting, household, and active-recreation), calculated as metabolic equivalent (MET)-hr/day, was related to social-demographic factors and measures of adiposity (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], and bio-impedance derived percentage body fat), using multivariable linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: The overall mean age was 50.8 years. The mean total physical activity was 21.7 MET-hr/day, mainly from occupation (62%) and household chores (26%), but little from active-recreation (4%), with women having a much higher household activity than men. Older participants had a lower level of occupational activity but a higher level of household and active-recreational activity, particularly after retirement. There was no linear association of occupational activity with adiposity, but working women tended to have a lower adiposity (e.g. 1.0 cm WC) than non-working women. In men, there was an inverse and apparently linear association between adiposity and levels of both commuting-related and household activities, with 3 MET-hr/day associated with -0.11 and -0.13 kg/m(2) BMI, -0.42 and -0.62 cm WC, and -0.28 and -0.33 percentage points of body fat, respectively. In women, only household activity showed a linear, but weaker, association with adiposity. A higher adiposity was observed among men and women with higher levels of active-recreational activity. CONCLUSIONS: In Chinese adults, physical activity mainly involves occupation and housework, with little from active-recreational activity. Domain-specific physical activities varied by socio-demographic factors and had different associations with adiposity.

[Monitoring "green tide" in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea using multi-temporal and multi-source remote sensing images].

Landsat-TM (Theme Mapper) and EOS (Earth Observing System)-MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectrora-diometer) Terra/Aqua images were used to monitor the macro-algae (Ulva prolifera) bloom since 2007 at the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. At the turbid waters of Northern Jiangsu Shoal, there is strong spectral mixing behavior, and satellite images with finer spatical resolution are more effective in detection of macro-algae patches. Macro-algae patches were detected by the Landsat images for the first time at the Sheyang estuary where is dominated by very turbid waters. The MODIS images showed that the macro-algae from the turbid waters near the Northern Jiangsu Shoal drifted southwardly in the early of May and affected the East China Sea waters; with the strengthening east-asian Summer Monsoon, macro-algae patches mainly drifted in a northward path which was mostly observed at the Yellow Sea. Macro-algae patches were also found to drift eastwardly towards the Korea Peninsular, which are supposed to be driven by the sea surface wind.

[Screening, quantification and confirmation of beta-blockers in urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry].

A method was developed to perform the screening, quantification and confirmation of the five beta-blockers, propranolol, carteolol, bisoprolol, esmolol, and sotalol, in human urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In sample preparation, conjugated and unconjugated beta-blockers in urine were extracted separately, and the extracts were combined. The extracts were derivatized with N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) and N-methyl-bis(trifluoroacetamide) (MBTFA). The optimal conditions of GC-MS were established, and the progresses of screening by selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode and confirmation by full scan (SCAN) mode were completed. At last, the quantification curves of the five beta-blockers in spiked urine were established by SIM mode. The limits of detection were 0.2 -1.0 ng/mL. Overall recoveries were 70.5% - 103.4%, and the relative standard deviations were lower than 15%. In addition, the method was successfully applied to the analysis of the positive urine of propranolol, and the urinary excretion curve was also established accordingly. It is significant to prohibit the abuse of beta-blockers in doping control.