Genetic parameter estimates in a clonally replicated progeny test of teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.)

Teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.) has been planted extensively in the tropics for its highly valued timber. We analysed data from a 3.5-year-old teak progeny test with clonal replication located in northern Australia. Additive and non-additive genetic variances were estimated for commercially important traits. Trees originating from seedlings were on average 2% taller and 4% straighter than those of the same genotype originating from cuttings. Non-additive genetic variance represented 35–50% of total genetic variance for growth traits and 63% of total genetic variance for incidence of flowering. Narrow-sense heritability was 0.22 for diameter, 0.18 for height and volume, 0.07 for stem straightness, 0.05 for insect defoliation, 0.03 for epicormic sprouts and 0.30 for incidence of flowering (estimated on an assumed underlying continuous scale). Broad-sense heritability was 0.37 for diameter, 0.28 for height, 0.35 for volume, 0.12 for stem straightness, 0.06 for insect defoliation, 0.12 for epicormic sprouts and 0.71 for incidence of flowering. Positive correlations were found between tree volume and flowering and between tree volume and stem straightness. The presence of sizeable non-additive variance supports the selection and deployment of clones to capture the full extent of genetic variation in commercially important traits.     

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometry assay to measure estradiol, catecholestradiols, and methoxyestradiols in plasma

We have developed a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) assay to measure 17beta-estradiol (E) and its biologically active metabolites 2-hydroxyestradiol (2OHE) and 4-hydroxyestradiol (4OHE), and 2-methoxyestradiol (2MEOE) and 4-methoxyestradiol (4MEOE) in rat plasma. All analytes are well separated and show a linear relationship between concentration (0.25-5 pg/microl) and signal, and coefficients of variation (CVs) are low. Intra-assay CV for the lowest quality control samples (QCs) (0.375 pg/microl) were on average for 17beta-estradiol 20.5%, for 2-hydroxyestradiol 15.6%, for 4-hydroxyestradiol 16.5%, for 2-methoxyestradiol 16.5%, and for 4-methoxyestradiol 11.5%. The inter-assay CVs for the lowest QCs were for 17beta-estradiol 12.1%, for 2-hydroxyestradiol 7.1%, for 4-hydroxyestradiol 15.5%, for 2-methoxyestradiol 16.7%, and for 4-methoxyestradiol 9.7%. The highest sensitivity for this assay was observed for hydroxyestradiols followed by the methoxyestradiols and 17beta-estradiol. In summary, we describe a convenient, sensitive, and specific assay to measure 17beta-estradiol and its biologically active metabolites.     

Revised and extended serum cotinine cut-offs to classify smokers and non-smokers

Purpose: To revise and extend the previously published serum cotinine cut offs to classify smokers and non-smokers for US adolescents and adults.

Materials and methods: Cross-sectional data (N?=?10171) from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2011–2014 were used to compute serum cotinine cut-offs to classify smokers and non-smokers for US adults aged ≥20?years and 2007–2014 (N?=?4583) data were used to compute serum cotinine cut-offs for US adolescents aged 12–19?years.

Results: Specificities and sensitivities for the cut-offs among adults were ≥95% and ≥75% among adolescents. For adults, serum cotinine cut-offs in ng/mL to classify smokers from non-smokers were 3.3 for the total population, 4.13 for males, 2.99 for females, 4.03 for non-Hispanic whites, 8.85 for non-Hispanic blacks, 0.377 for Mexican Americans, 1.72 for other Hispanics and 1.41 for non-Hispanic Asians. For adolescents, serum cotinine cut-offs in ng/mL to classify smokers from non-smokers were 0.765 for the total population, 1.1 for males, 0.408 for females, 1.2 for non-Hispanic whites, 1.98 for non-Hispanic blacks, 0.215 for Mexican Americans and 0.321 for other Hispanics.

Conclusions: Serum cotinine cut-offs to distinguish smokers from non-smokers for US adults and adolescents were developed.     

Genetic parameters estimation for preweaning traits and their relationship with reproductive,productive and morphological traits in alpaca

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for preweaning traits and their relationship with reproductive, productive and morphological traits in alpacas. The data were collected from 2001 to 2015 in the Pacomarca experimental farm. The data set contained data from 4330 females and 3788 males corresponding to 6396 and 1722 animals for Huacaya and Suri variants, respectively. The number of records for Huacaya and Suri variants were 5494 and 1461 for birth weight (BW), 5429 and 1431 for birth withers height (BH), 3320 and 896 for both weaning weight (WW) and average daily gain (DG) from birth to weaning, 3317 and 896 for weaning withers height (WH), and 5514 and 1474 for survival to weaning. The reproductive traits analyzed were age at first calving and calving interval. The fiber traits were fiber diameter (FD), standard deviation of FD (SD), comfort factor and coefficient of variation of FD and the morphological traits studied were density, crimp in Huacaya and lock structure in Suri, head, coverage and balance. Regarding preweaning traits, model of analysis included additive, maternal and residual random effects for all traits, with sex, coat color, number of calving, month–year and contemporary group as systematic effects, and age at weaning as linear covariate for WW and WH. The most relevant direct heritabilities for Huacaya and Suri were 0.50 and 0.34 for WW, 0.36 and 0.66 for WH, 0.45 and 0.20 for DG, respectively. Maternal heritabilities were 0.25 and 0.38 for BW, 0.18 and 0.32 for BH, 0.29 and 0.39 for WW, 0.19 and 0.26 for WH, 0.27 and 0.36 for DG, respectively. Direct genetic correlations within preweaning traits were high and favorable and lower between direct and maternal genetic effects. The genetic correlations of preweaning traits with fiber traits were moderate and unfavorable. With morphological traits they were high and positive for Suri but not for Huacaya and favorable for direct genetic effect but unfavorable for maternal genetic effect with reproductive traits. If the selection objective was meat production, the selection would have to be based on the direct genetic effect for WW but not on the maternal genetic effect that has been shown to have less relevance. Other weaning traits such as WH or DG would be indirectly selected.     

Effect of predictor traits on accuracy of genomic breeding values for feed intake based on a limited cow reference population

The genomic breeding value accuracy of scarcely recorded traits is low because of the limited number of phenotypic observations. One solution to increase the breeding value accuracy is to use predictor traits. This study investigated the impact of recording additional phenotypic observations for predictor traits on reference and evaluated animals on the genomic breeding value accuracy for a scarcely recorded trait. The scarcely recorded trait was dry matter intake (DMI, n = 869) and the predictor traits were fat–protein-corrected milk (FPCM, n = 1520) and live weight (LW, n = 1309). All phenotyped animals were genotyped and originated from research farms in Ireland, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Multi-trait REML was used to simultaneously estimate variance components and breeding values for DMI using available predictors. In addition, analyses using only pedigree relationships were performed. Breeding value accuracy was assessed through cross-validation (CV) and prediction error variance (PEV). CV groups (n = 7) were defined by splitting animals across genetic lines and management groups within country. With no additional traits recorded for the evaluated animals, both CV- and PEV-based accuracies for DMI were substantially higher for genomic than for pedigree analyses (CV: max. 0.26 for pedigree and 0.33 for genomic analyses; PEV: max. 0.45 and 0.52, respectively). With additional traits available, the differences between pedigree and genomic accuracies diminished. With additional recording for FPCM, pedigree accuracies increased from 0.26 to 0.47 for CV and from 0.45 to 0.48 for PEV. Genomic accuracies increased from 0.33 to 0.50 for CV and from 0.52 to 0.53 for PEV. With additional recording for LW instead of FPCM, pedigree accuracies increased to 0.54 for CV and to 0.61 for PEV. Genomic accuracies increased to 0.57 for CV and to 0.60 for PEV. With both FPCM and LW available for evaluated animals, accuracy was highest (0.62 for CV and 0.61 for PEV in pedigree, and 0.63 for CV and 0.61 for PEV in genomic analyses). Recording predictor traits for only the reference population did not increase DMI breeding value accuracy. Recording predictor traits for both reference and evaluated animals significantly increased DMI breeding value accuracy and removed the bias observed when only reference animals had records. The benefit of using genomic instead of pedigree relationships was reduced when more predictor traits were used. Using predictor traits may be an inexpensive way to significantly increase the accuracy and remove the bias of (genomic) breeding values of scarcely recorded traits such as feed intake.     

Polymorphism of a complex resistance gene candidate family in wild populations of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Argentina: comparison with phenotypic resistance polymorphism

Fifteen populations of wild bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), located in three provinces in Argentina, were analysed for their polymorphism for a complex resistance gene candidate (RGC) family clustered on the genome and for resistance phenotypes to strains of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Results indicate that RGC polymorphism is high. Population structure obtained for markers related to resistance was compared to population structure obtained for RAPD markers in order to infer the evolutionary forces driving polymorphism for resistance in wild populations at both molecular and phenotypic levels. Hierarchical analysis of differentiation showed that, within provinces, populations were differentiated for RAPD as well as for molecular and phenotypic markers of resistance. In contrast, provinces were differentiated only for RAPD and RGC markers and not for resistance phenotypes. The discrepancies found between diversity structures for molecular markers (RAPD and RGCs) and for resistance phenotypes suggest an effect of selection and indicate that diversity for resistance may not be driven by the same selective forces at the molecular and phenotypic levels. We further discuss whether specific selective forces are exerted on RGC markers and underline the importance of spatial scale of analysis for demonstrating an impact of selection.     

Comparison of pure Holsteins to crossbred Holsteins with Norwegian Red cattle in first and second generations

A total of 1922 first generation crossbred cows born between 2005 and 2012 produced by inseminating purebred Israeli Holstein cows with Norwegian Red semen, and 7487 purebred Israeli Holstein cows of the same age in the same 50 herds were analyzed for production, calving traits, fertility, calving diseases, body condition score, abortion rate and survival under intensive commercial management conditions. Holstein cows were higher than crossbreds for 305-day milk, fat and protein production. Differences were 764, 1244, 1231 for kg milk; 23.4, 37.4, 35.6 for kg fat, and 16.7, 29.8, 29.8 for kg protein; for parities 1 through 3. Differences for fat concentration were not significant; while crossbred cows were higher for protein concentration by 0.06% to 0.08%. Differences for somatic cells counts were not significant. Milk production persistency was higher for Holstein cows by 5, 8.3 and 8% in parities 1 through 3. Crossbred cows were higher for conception status by 3.1, 3.6 and 4.7% in parities 1 through 3. Rates of metritis for Holsteins were higher than the crossbred cows by 7.8, 4.6 and 3.4% in parities 1 to 3. Differences for incidence of abortion, dystocia, ketosis and milk fever were not significant. Holstein cows were lower than crossbred cows for body condition score for all three parities, with differences of 0.2 to 0.4 units. Contrary to comparisons in other countries, herd-life was higher for Holsteins by 79 days. A total of 6321 Holstein cows born between 2007 and 2011 were higher than 765 progeny of crossbred cows backcrossed to Israeli Holsteins of the same ages for milk, fat and protein production. Differences were 279, 537, 542 kg milk; 10.5, 17.7, 17.0 kg fat and 6.2, 12.9, 13.2 kg protein for parities 1 through 3. Differences for fat concentration were not significant, while backcross cows were higher for protein percentage by 0.02% to 0.04%. The differences for somatic cell score, conception rate, and calving diseases other than metritis, were not significant. Holstein cows were lower than backcross cows by 1.5% to 2.5% for conception status in parities 1 to 3 and lower for body condition score for parities 1 and 2, with differences in the range of 0.06 to 0.09 units. Culling rates were higher, and herd-life lower for the crossbred cows. The gains obtained in secondary traits for crossbred cows did not compensate for the major reduction in production.     

BpaI and BpnI: novel type II restriction endonucleases from Bacillus pasteurii and Bacillus pantothenticus

Two novel type II restriction endonucleases, designated as BpaI and BpnI, were isolated from Bacillus pasteurii strain1761 and Bacillus pantothenticus strain1639, respectively. They were partially purified and SDS-PAGE indicated Mr values of 28 and 67 kDa for BpaI, 28 and 48 kDa for BpnI. The partially purified endonucleases hydrolyzed DNA into discrete fragments: pUC18 (2.6 kb for BpaI; 1.8 and 0.8 kb for BpnI), pBR322 (2.5 and 1.8 kb for BpaI; 2.6 and 1.7 kb for BpnI) and phix174 DNA (3.2 and 2.1 kb for BpaI; 4 and 1.3 kb for BpnI).     

RFLP mapping of QTLs for yield and related characters in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Quantitative triat loci (QTLs) for yield and related traits in rice were mapped based on RFLP maps from two indica/indica F₂ populations, Tesanai 2/CB and Waiyin 2/CB. In Tesanai 2/CB, 14 intervals carrying QTLs for eight traits were detected, including 3 for grain weight per plant (GWT), 2 for number of panicles per plant (NP), 2 for number of grains per panicle (NG), 1 for total number of spikelets per panicle (TNS), 1 for spikelet fertility (SF), 3 for 1000-grain weight (TGWT), 1 for spikelet density (SD), and 1 for number of first branches per main panicle. The 3 QTLs for GWT were located on chromosomes 1, 2, and 4, with 1 in each chromosome. The additive effect of the single locus ranged from 2.0 g to 9.1 g. A major gene (np4) for NP was detected on chromosome 4 within the interval of RG143–RG214, about 4cM for RG143, and this locus explained 26.1% of the observed phenotypic variance for NP. The paternal allele of this locus was responsible for reduced panicles per plant (3 panicles per plant). In another population, Waiyin 2/CB, 12 intervals containing QTLs for six of the above-mentioned traits were detected, including 3 for GWT, 2 for each of NP, TNS, TGWT and SD, 1 for SF. Three QTLs for GWT were located on chromosome 1, 4, and 5, respectively. The additive effect of the single locus for GWT ranged from 6.7 g to 8.8 g, while the dominance effect was 1.7–11.5 g. QTL mapping in two populations with a common male parent is compared and discussed.     

放线菌和霉菌菌种保藏研究报告

用砂管法室温保藏放线菌244株29年。其存活率(%)为:6年96;9年91;11年88;14年78;15年76;17年74;20年70;22年59;25年47;27年40;29年37。保藏29年尚存活的放线菌的抗曾活性与保藏前基本相同。用麸曲法室温保藏木霉、曲霉和青霉等12属共216株,存活率因种而异。保藏12年,不同种属霉菌的存活率为0—100%;保藏至16年,全部失活。     

十种一碳代谢关键产物的HPLC-MS/MS 定量检测方法

目的:利用HPLC-MS/MS方法对十种一碳代谢相关产物进行定量分析。方法:采用Aglient ZORBAX SB-AQ C18柱(2.1mm×100 mm,3.5 m)、电喷雾离子源(ESI),以多离子反应监测方式(MRM)进行正离子检测。对游离叶酸(FA)、5-甲酰四氢叶酸(5-FT)、5-甲基四氢叶酸(5-MT)、S-腺苷蛋氨酸(SAM)、S-腺苷同型半胱氨酸(SAH)、胱硫醚(CYSTA)、组氨酸(HIS)、丝氨酸(SER)、蛋氨酸(MET)、同型半胱氨酸(HCY)进行定量分析。结果:FA、5-FT、5-MT、SAM、SAH、CYSTA、HIS、SER、MET、HCY的检测限分别为0.1 ng.L-1、0.25 ng.L-1、0.1 ng.L-1、0.1 ng.L-1、0.25 ng.L-1、0.25 ng.L-1、0.1 ng.L-1、0.025 ng.L-1、0.1 ng.L-1、0.1 ng.L-1。FA、5-FT、5-MT、SAH、CYSTA浓度测定方法线性范围为2~50 ng.L-1,SER、SAM浓度测定方法线性范围20~500 ng.L-1,MET、HCY浓度测定方法线性范围200~5000 ng.L-1,HIS浓度测定方法线性范围为400~10000 ng.L-1,r均在0.993以上,全部涵盖了已报道的血清中指标的含量范围。结论:建立了HPLC-MS/MS方法,可同时分析十种一碳代谢通路的关键产物,所需样品量少,检测速度快,同时实现分项检测,可为多种代谢性疾病系统性地检测一碳代谢中间产物体液分析方法建立实验条件基础。     

Structure prediction of biological assemblies using GALAXY in CAPRI rounds 38-45

We participated in CARPI rounds 38-45 both as a server predictor and a human predictor. These CAPRI rounds provided excellent opportunities for testing prediction methods for three classes of protein interactions, that is, protein-protein, protein-peptide, and protein-oligosaccharide interactions. Both template-based methods (GalaxyTBM for monomer protein, GalaxyHomomer for homo-oligomer protein, GalaxyPepDock for protein-peptide complex) and ab initio docking methods (GalaxyTongDock and GalaxyPPDock for protein oligomer, GalaxyPepDock-ab-initio for protein-peptide complex, GalaxyDock2 and Galaxy7TM for protein-oligosaccharide complex) have been tested. Template-based methods depend heavily on the availability of proper templates and template-target similarity, and template-target difference is responsible for inaccuracy of template-based models. Inaccurate template-based models could be improved by our structure refinement and loop modeling methods based on physics-based energy optimization (GalaxyRefineComplex and GalaxyLoop) for several CAPRI targets. Current ab initio docking methods require accurate protein structures as input. Small conformational changes from input structure could be accounted for by our docking methods, producing one of the best models for several CAPRI targets. However, predicting large conformational changes involving protein backbone is still challenging, and full exploration of physics-based methods for such problems is still to come.     

关于植物DNA条形码研究技术规范

DNA条形码是利用标准的基因片段对物种进行快速鉴定的技术,已经成功用于生物物种分类和鉴定、生态学调查和生物多样性评估等研究领域。尽管生命条形码数据（BOLD）系统提供了主要针对动物类群DNA条形码研究的技术规范,但由于植物本身的生物学特性与所使用的条形码不同,因此已有技术规范并不完全适用于植物DNA条形码的研究。本文根据植物DNA条形码研究的特点与我国的实际情况,编写了植物DNA条形码研究技术标准和规范指南,具体包括十个方面的内容,即植物DNA条形码研究的样品采集策略;植物标本和野外数据的采集规范;植物标本图像信息的采集规范;植物DNA材料的采集规范;植物DNA材料的干燥与保存规范;植物总DNA的质量标准及保存规范;植物标准DNA条形码的选择与通用引物;DNA条形码的扩增与测序;DNA条形码数据的命名、编辑和提交规范;以及DNA条形码数据分析。我们期望通过这些标准规范的实施和在实践中的不断修订和完善,能为我国学者开展植物DNA条形码和iFlora研究提供参考和借鉴。
关键词：植物DNA条形码;技术规范;物种鉴定;标准;新一代植物志     

Identifying and Controlling for Variation in Canid Harvest Data

An accurate understanding of harvest trends is required for effective wildlife management. Trapper harvest data represent valuable long-term data for evaluating patterns and trends for wildlife species at broad spatiotemporal scales. Inferring accurate trends from harvest data, however, first requires identifying and controlling for confounding factors that vary independent of abundance. We investigated trends in 43 years of trapper harvest data (1976–2018) from Illinois, USA, for red fox (Vulpes vulpes), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and coyote (Canis latrans) while controlling for factors that may affect trapper effort, including number of effective (i.e., successful) trappers, pelt price, gasoline price, winter unemployment, and winter weather conditions. Annual trapper harvest for red and gray foxes declined and was affected by gasoline price and winter unemployment, whereas annual trapper harvest for coyotes increased and was not strongly affected by other covariates. After adjusting for pelt price, harvest of red foxes was relatively stable, but harvest of gray foxes declined and harvest of coyotes increased. Effects of covariates on harvest per successful trapper varied by species; nevertheless, we detected an increasing trend for coyotes and decreasing trends for gray foxes and red foxes. Concordance across indices for gray foxes and coyotes was consistent with hypothesized declines for gray foxes and increases for coyotes in the midwestern United States. Trends for red foxes varied depending on how we accounted for potential confounding factors and it is unclear if these trends suggest population declines or distribution shifts to urban areas with reduced trapping susceptibility. Our results highlight the importance of understanding sources of variation in harvest data and that their effects can vary across species. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.     

Relationship between tooth and long bone size

Canonical correlations between tooth and long bone dimensions showed a greater correlation for Anglo-Saxons and apes than for Nineteenth Century Londoners, i.e., coefficients of 0.75 for gorilla, 0.72 for chimpanzee, 0.69 for orang-utans, 0.74 for Anglo-Saxons, but 0.53 for Nineteenth Century Londoners. Although based upon limited sample sizes and limited metrical profiles of teeth and long bones, the data support the thesis that modern Europeans are under reduced selection pressure to maintain tooth size compared with apes or ancient man.     

Simultaneous determination of amphetamine and its analogs in human whole blood by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method for the determination of amphetamine (AM), methamphetamine (MA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) in whole blood was designed, using the respective pentadeuterated analogs of the analytes as internal standards (I.S.). After alkalinisation of blood samples, the amphetamines were extracted using diethyl ether, derivatized with heptafluorobutyric anhydride, then purified by successive washings with deionized water and 4% NH₄OH. Extraction recoveries were 85.2% for AM, 90.9% for MA, 76.5% for MDA, 84.1% for MDMA and 63.6% for MDEA. Chromatographic separation was performed on a non-polar 30 m×0.32 mm HP 5 MS capillary column using a temperature program. Detection was carried out in the electron-impact, selected ion-monitoring mode, using three mass-to-charge ratios for each analyte and one for each I.S. Limits of detection ranged from 0.5 to 8 ng/ml and limits of quantification were 10 ng/ml for AM, MDMA and MDEA; 20 ng/ml for MA; and 50 ng/ml for MDA. The method was linear from this limit up to 1000 ng/ml for all analytes, with good intra-assay precision and good intermediate precision and accuracy over these ranges. There was no interferences from other sympathomimetic drugs such as ephedrine, norephedrine or methoxyphenamine. This method is thus suitable for clinical and forensic toxicology, as well as for doping control.     

Aspects of the reproductive biology of two pelagic sharks in the eastern Atlantic Ocean

This study used data provided by the Chinese Longline Fishery Scientific Observer Programme from the tropical eastern Atlantic Ocean to estimate the reproductive parameters of the blue shark (Prionace glauca) and crocodile shark (Pseudocarcharias kamoharai). Sizes ranged from 80 to 298 cm fork length (FL) for blue sharks and from 48 to 99 cm FL for crocodile sharks. Sexual segregation was observed during different months for both sharks. The sex ratio for blue sharks was 1.38 F:1 M, and 1 F:2.79 M for crocodile sharks. The size of adult blue sharks ranged from 144 to 280 cm for males and from 174 to 298 cm for females; and that of crocodile sharks from 63 to 97 cm for males and 78–99 cm for females. The size at 50% of maturity for blue sharks was estimated at 191.7 cm FL for females and 197.5 cm FL for males, and that of crocodile sharks was assessed at 84.9 cm FL for females and 78.5 cm FL for males. Most sexually matured females were pregnant; their means were 207.2 ± 16.4 cm FL for blue sharks and 89.4 ± 4.3 cm FL for crocodile sharks. Mature sizes for both species were significantly different among months. Embryonic sizes also varied widely among months for crocodile sharks, but a slight change was recorded for those of blue sharks. The observed mean size at birth and litter size were 34.5 cm FL and 37 ± 12 for the blue sharks, and that of the crocodile sharks, 39.5 cm FL and a dominant four embryos in the uterus. Due to the observed increasing catch trend of blue sharks and the slow reproductive cycle of crocodile sharks, this study presents the need of implementing conservation measures to ensure the sustainability of both species in their habitat.     

Social disparities in survival after diagnosis with colorectal cancer: Contribution of race and insurance status

BackgroundBoth minority race and lack of health insurance are risk factors for lower survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) but the interaction between the two factors has not been explored in detail.MethodsOne to 5-year survival by race/ethnic group and insurance type for patients with CRC diagnosed in 2007-13 and registered in the Surveillance Epidemiology, and EndResultsdatabase were explored. Shared frailty models were computed to further explore the association between CRC specific survival and insurance status after adjustment for demographic and treatment variables.ResultsAge-adjusted 5-year survival estimates were 70.4% for non-Hispanic whites (nHW), 62.7% for non-Hispanic blacks (nHB), 70.2% for Hispanics, 64.7% for Native Americans, and 73.1% for Asian/Pacific Islanders (API). Survival was greater for patients with insurance other than Medicaid for all races, but the differential in survival varied with race, with the greatest difference being seen for nHW at +25.0% and +20.2%, respectively, for Medicaid and uninsured versus other insurance. Similar results were observed for stage- and age-specific analyses, with survival being consistently higher for nHW and API compared to other groups. After confounder adjustment, hazard ratios of 1.53 and 1.50 for CRC-specific survival were observed for Medicaid and uninsured. Racial/ethnic differences remained significant only for nHB compared to nHW.ConclusionsRace/ethnic group and insurance type are partially independent factors affecting survival expectations for patients diagnosed with CRC. NHB had lower than expected survival for all insurance types.     

Cloning Vectors for Rice

We developed various binary vectors that can be used for expressing a foreign gene in rice. Vectors pGA3426, pGA3436, and pGA3626 are intended for overexpression of a gene using the maize Ubiquitin promoter, whereas pGA3780 is for rather mild expression of a gene using the rice Actin1 promoter. Vector pGA3777 is for expressing two genes simultaneously. We also developed binary vectors for expressing a fusion protein with a tag. Four vectors (pGA3427, pGA3428, pGA3429, and pGA3438) are for protein tags with sGFP, HA, His, and Myc, respectively. Vector pGA3383 is for analyzing promoter activity using the GUS reporter. In this vector, multiple cloning sites in front of GUS can be utilized for accepting a promoter fragment. We also generated transient expression vectors for studying the subcellular localization of a protein. Vectors pGA3452, pGA3651, and pGA3652 are for GFP fusion; pGA3574 for RFP fusion; pGA3697 for Myc tag; and pGA3698 for HA tag. In addition, we generated pGA3506, pGA3516, pGA3592, and pGA3593 for facilitating the subcloning of full-length cDNA clones into our binary vectors.