Isolation and characterization of 16 tetranucleotide microsatellite loci in the red panda (Ailurus fulgens)

A total of 15 polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite loci in the red panda, Ailurus fulgens, were characterized in this study. Based on evaluations of 33 red pandas, the number of observed alleles for each locus ranged from seven to 17 and the expected and observed heterozygosities were 0.412–0.897 and 0.121–0.909, respectively. The mean polymorphic information content was 0.721. These markers would greatly strengthen the utilization of microsatellite tools in genetic variation studies in red panda populations.     

Spatial analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma and socioeconomic status in China from a Population-based Cancer Registry

Background: Little is known about geographic variations in liver cancer at high incident regions. We aimed to identify spatial variation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at a high-risk area in China and determine its association with socioeconomic status (SES). Methods: Based on 2299 liver cancer cases diagnosed in Haimen from 2003 to 2006, we calculated age–sex standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and used two spatial scan statistics to determine the geographic variations in HCC. Bayesian hierarchical model was used to explore the association between HCC incidence and SES. Results: Age and sex SIRs for HCC varied from 0.54 to 1.97 for 24 townships. The eastern region of Haimen was identified to have a significantly increased risk of HCC. Fitting of a Bayesian hierarchical model linking per-capita fiscal revenue with SIRs of HCC indicated that the area with a lower revenue had a significantly higher incidence of HCC [β_log(revenue) = ?0.179, posterior 95% Bayesian credible interval (CI) = (?0.326, ?0.04)]. Conclusions: This study demonstrated substantial geographic variation in the incidence of HCC within a high-risk region, which was associated with SES. HCC control and intervention should focus on disadvantaged areas to reduce the HCC disparities.     

Integrated species delimitation and conservation implications of an endangered weevil Pachyrhynchus sonani (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Green and Orchid Islands of Taiwan

Oceanic islands are productive habitats for generating new species and high endemism, which is primarily due to their geographical isolation, smaller population sizes and local adaptation. However, the short divergence times and subtle morphological or ecological divergence of insular organisms may obscure species identity, so the cryptic endemism on islands may be underestimated. The endangered weevil Pachyrhynchus sonani Kôno (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Pachyrhynchini) is endemic to Green Island and Orchid Island of the Taiwan‐Luzon Archipelago and displays widespread variation in coloration and host range, thus raising questions regarding its species boundaries and degree of cryptic diversity. We tested the species boundaries of P. sonani using an integrated approach that combined morphological (body size and shape, genital shape, coloration and cuticular scale), genetic (four genes and restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing, RAD‐seq) and ecological (host range and distribution) diversity. The results indicated that all the morphological datasets for male P. sonani, except for the colour spectrum, reveal overlapping but statistically significant differences between islands. In contrast, the morphology of the female P. sonani showed minimum divergence between island populations. The populations of P. sonani on the two islands were significantly different in their host ranges, and the genetic clustering and phylogenies of P. sonani established two valid evolutionary species. Integrated species delimitation combining morphological, molecular and ecological characters supported two distinct species of P. sonani from Green Island and Orchid Island. The Green Island population was described as P. jitanasaius sp.n. Chen & Lin, and it is recommended that its threatened conservation status be recognized. Our findings suggest that the inter‐island speciation of endemic organisms inhabiting both islands may be more common than previously thought, and they highlight the possibility that the cryptic diversity of small oceanic islands may still be largely underestimated.     

Insulin-like growth factor 2 regulates the proliferation and differentiation of rat adipose-derived stromal cells via IGF-1R and IR

BackgroundInsulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), an essential component of the stem cell niche, has been reported to modulate the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. Previously, a continuous expression of IGF2 in tissues was reported to maintain the self-renewal ability of several types of stem cells. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the expression of IGF2 in adipose tissues and explored the effects of IGF2 on adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) in vitro.MethodsThe expression pattern of IGF2 in rat adipose tissues was determined by gene expression and protein analyses. The effect of IGF2 on proliferation, stemness-related marker expression and adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation was systematically investigated. Furthermore, antagonists of IGF2-specific receptors—namely, BMS-754807 and picropodophyllin—were added to explore the underlying signal transduction mechanisms.ResultsIGF2 levels displayed a tendency to decrease with age in rat adipose tissues. After the addition of IGF2, isolated ADSCs displayed higher proliferation and expression of the stemness-related markers NANOG, OCT4 and SOX2 and greater differentiation potential to adipocytes and osteoblasts. Additionally, both type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) and insulin receptor (IR) participated in the IGF2-mediated promotion of stemness in ADSCs.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that IGF2 could enhance the stemness of rat ADSCs via IGF-1R and IR and may highlight an effective method for the expansion of ADSCs for clinical application.     

人参皂苷Rg2对慢性坐骨神经损伤大鼠痛觉敏化和抑郁状态的影响*

目的:观察人参皂苷Rg₂对慢性坐骨神经损伤大鼠痛觉敏化、抑郁状态的影响。方法: 将50只 SD 大鼠随机分为 5组(n=10): 空白对照组(Normal+生理盐水腹腔注射)、假手术组(手术但不结扎+生理盐水腹腔注射) 、坐骨神经慢性压迫损伤(CCI)组(CCI +生理盐水腹腔注射) 、人参皂苷Rg₂低剂量组(CCI+ Rg₂ 5 mg/kg腹腔注射)、人参皂苷Rg₂高剂量组(CCI+ Rg₂ 10 mg/kg 腹腔注射)。CCI模型建立后,药物通过注射器进行腹腔内注射 5 ml/kg,每天1次,连续14 d。分别在术前1 d和术后 1、3、5、7、10、14 d测定大鼠的机械性缩足反射阈值(MWT)和热缩足潜伏期(TWL);术前1 d和术后第14日时检测明暗箱实验和强迫游泳试验。 结果:与假手术组比较,CCI组术后14 d机械痛阈值和热痛潜伏期明显缩短(P＜0.01),明箱内停留时间明显缩短(P＜0.01),穿梭次数明显减少(P＜0.01),游泳潜伏期明显延长(P＜0.01)。与CCI组比较,人参皂苷Rg₂组术后14 d机械痛阈和热痛潜伏期明显增加(P＜0.01),大鼠在明箱内时间明显延长(P＜0.01),穿梭次数明显增多(P＜0.01),且游泳潜伏期明显缩短(P＜0.01)。结论:人参皂苷Rg₂能抑制 CCI 大鼠的机械痛敏和热痛敏,同时改善其抑郁状态。     

基于VPM模型的长白山自然保护区植被总初级生产力动态变化

总初级生产力(GPP)是碳循环的重要参数,它的准确估算对碳循环及全球气候变化研究有重要作用.利用VPM模型及2000—2015年MOD09A1数据/气候因子的空间数据,对长白山自然保护区的植被GPP进行模拟.结果表明: 2000—2015年,保护区GPP年均值为1203 g C·m^-2·a^-1,GPP呈极显著趋势增长.森林植被GPP年际增长变化在不同植被垂直带下没有显著区别,但从高山苔原带往上,GPP年际增长明显减小.GPP与降水的年际相关性不显著,与温度的正相关关系集中分布在阔叶红松林带和高山苔原带.春季气温对GPP影响最大,有80%像元显示与气温呈正相关.GPP与温度的年际相关性明显高于降水.     

Deep Sequencing Analysis of HBV Genotype Shift and Correlation with Antiviral Efficiency during Adefovir Dipivoxil Therapy

Background

Viral genotype shift in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients during antiviral therapy has been reported, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive.

Methods

38 CHB patients treated with ADV for one year were selected for studying genotype shift by both deep sequencing and Sanger sequencing method.

Results

Sanger sequencing method found that 7.9% patients showed mixed genotype before ADV therapy. In contrast, all 38 patients showed mixed genotype before ADV treatment by deep sequencing. 95.5% mixed genotype rate was also obtained from additional 200 treatment-naïve CHB patients. Of the 13 patients with genotype shift, the fraction of the minor genotype in 5 patients (38%) increased gradually during the course of ADV treatment. Furthermore, responses to ADV and HBeAg seroconversion were associated with the high rate of genotype shift, suggesting drug and immune pressure may be key factors to induce genotype shift. Interestingly, patients with genotype C had a significantly higher rate of genotype shift than genotype B. In genotype shift group, ADV treatment induced a marked enhancement of genotype B ratio accompanied by a reduction of genotype C ratio, suggesting genotype C may be more sensitive to ADV than genotype B. Moreover, patients with dominant genotype C may have a better therapeutic effect. Finally, genotype shifts was correlated with clinical improvement in terms of ALT.

Conclusions

Our findings provided a rational explanation for genotype shift among ADV-treated CHB patients. The genotype and genotype shift might be associated with antiviral efficiency.     

Complete Blood Count Reference Intervals for Healthy Han Chinese Adults

Background

Complete blood count (CBC) reference intervals are important to diagnose diseases, screen blood donors, and assess overall health. However, current reference intervals established by older instruments and technologies and those from American and European populations are not suitable for Chinese samples due to ethnic, dietary, and lifestyle differences. The aim of this multicenter collaborative study was to establish CBC reference intervals for healthy Han Chinese adults.

Methods

A total of 4,642 healthy individuals (2,136 males and 2,506 females) were recruited from six clinical centers in China (Shenyang, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Xi’an). Blood samples collected in K2EDTA anticoagulant tubes were analyzed. Analysis of variance was performed to determine differences in consensus intervals according to the use of data from the combined sample and selected samples.

Results

Median and mean platelet counts from the Chengdu center were significantly lower than those from other centers. Red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), and hematocrit (HCT) values were higher in males than in females at all ages. Other CBC parameters showed no significant instrument-, region-, age-, or sex-dependent difference. Thalassemia carriers were found to affect the lower or upper limit of different RBC profiles.

Conclusion

We were able to establish consensus intervals for CBC parameters in healthy Han Chinese adults. RBC, HGB, and HCT intervals were established for each sex. The reference interval for platelets for the Chengdu center should be established independently.     

Comparative transcriptome analysis of developmental stages of the Limonium bicolor leaf generates insights into salt gland differentiation

With the expansion of saline land worldwide, it is essential to establish a model halophyte to study the salt‐tolerance mechanism. The salt glands in the epidermis of Limonium bicolor (a recretohalophyte) play a pivotal role in salt tolerance by secreting excess salts from tissues. Despite the importance of salt secretion, nothing is known about the molecular mechanisms of salt gland development. In this study, we applied RNA sequencing to profile early leaf development using five distinct developmental stages, which were quantified by successive collections of the first true leaves of L. bicolor with precise spatial and temporal resolution. Specific gene expression patterns were identified for each developmental stage. In particular, we found that genes controlling salt gland differentiation in L. bicolor may evolve in a trichome formation, which was also confirmed by mutants with increased salt gland densities. Genes involved in the special ultrastructure of salt glands were also elucidated. Twenty‐six genes were proposed to participate in salt gland differentiation. Our dataset sheds light on the molecular processes underpinning salt gland development and thus represents a first step towards the bioengineering of active salt‐secretion capacity in crops.