Multiple oscillations in changing cell shape by the plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum: general formula governing oscillatory phenomena by the Physarum plasmodium

The long-term dynamics of an amoeboid cell shape were studied using Physarum polycephalum plasmodia with various sizes. Cell shape varied oscillatorily in a multiple periodic manner. The organism periodically elongated with period of T₇ = 10 h, branched with T₆ = 4 h, became uneven with T₅ = 30 min and T₄ = 10 min, and blew up with T₃ = 1.5 min. Tiny plasmodia changed shape much faster with T₃ = 1.3 min, T₂ = 24 s and T₁ = 3.3 s simultaneously. The plasmodial cytoskeleton also showed periodic pattern formation with T₆, T₅ and T₃. Periods of all known oscillatory phenomena in this organism correspond to some of the periods for the above seven rhythms, and the following geometric progression holds among the periods: T_i + 1/T_i = 7 and T_i + 2/T_i + 1 = 3, where i = 1, 3, 5. Thus, multiple oscillations in the plasmodium are organized globally.     

The RTK/ERK pathway is associated with prostate cancer risk on the SNP level: A pooled analysis of 41 sets of data from case–control studies

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a malignant disease influencing numerous men worldwide every year. However, the exact pathogenesis and the genes, environment, and other factors involved have not been explained clearly. Some studies have proposed that cell signaling pathways might play a key role in the development and progression of PCa. According to our previous study, the RTK/ERK pathway containing nearly 40 genes was associated with PCa risk. On the basis of these genes, we conducted a meta-analysis with our own Chinese Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics (ChinaPCa) study and available studies in the databases to describe the association between the pathway and PCa on the SNP level. The results suggested that rs4764695/IGF1 (recessive model: pooled OR = 0.92, 95%CI = 0.852–0.994, P = 0.034; I² = 0%, P = 0.042; allele analysis: pooled OR = 0.915, 95%CI = 0.874–0.958, P = 0; I² = 0%, P = 0.424; codominant model: OR = 0.835, 95%CI = 0.762–0.916, P = 0; I² = 0%, P = 0.684) and rs1570360/VEGF (recessive model: OR = 0.596, 95%CI = 0.421–0.843, P = 0.003; I² = 23.9%, P = 0.269; codominant model: OR = 0.576, 95%CI = 0.404–0.820, P = 0.002; I² = 49.1%, P = 0.140) were significantly associated with PCa. In subgroup analysis, the relationship was also found in Caucasians for IGF1 (dominant model: OR = 0.834, 95%CI = 0.769–0.904, P = 0; allele analysis: OR = 0.908, 95%CI = 0.863–0.955, P = 0; AA vs CC: OR = 0.829, 95%CI = 0.750–0.916, P = 0; AC vs CC: OR = 0.837, 95%CI = 0.768–0.912, P = 0). In addition, in Asians (allele analysis: OR = 0.21, 95%CI = 0.168–0.262, P = 0) and Caucasians (recessive model: OR = 0.453, 95%CI: 0.240–0.855, P = 0.015; codominant model: OR = 0.464, 95%CI = 0.240–0.898, P = 0.023) for VEGF, the association was significant. The results indicated that rs4764695/IGF1 and rs1570360/VEGF might play a key role in the development and progression of PCa. On the SNP level, we suggest that the study gives us a new view of gene-pathway analysis and targeted therapy for PCa.     

New suppressor mutation sur0B of spo0B and spo0F mutations in Bacillus subtilis

Two extragenic suppressor mutations, sur0B20 and sur0F1, which restore the sporulation of spo0B or spo0F mutants of Bacillus subtilis to the wild-type level, were obtained. These suppressor mutations were located in the spo0A gene. Their location is close to that of the sof-1 mutation, which suppresses spo0B, spo0E and spo0F mutations. However, spo0 strains bearing the sur0B20 mutation differed in several phenotypic characteristics from spo0 mutants bearing the sof-1 suppressor. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the sur0B20 and sur0F1 mutations resulted in Glu14 to Val and Asn12 to Lys conversion, respectively, in the spo0A gene. This result indicates that sur0B20 is a new suppressor of spo0b and spo0F mutations, whereas sur0F1 is identical to sof-1.     

Association of two ERCC4 tagSNPs with susceptibility to atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer in Chinese

Genetic polymorphisms in excision repair cross-complementing group 4 (ERCC4) may contribute to the risk of cancer development. However, there are few reports regarding to susceptibility to gastric cancer (GC) or its precursor, atrophic gastritis (AG). Thereby, we investigated the association between two tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNPs) rs6498486 and rs254942, which represents the majority of common SNPs of ERCC4 gene, and the risks of GC and AG development in a sex- and age-matched case–control designed study. We found that rs6498486 polymorphism was associated with a reduced AG risk in total population (for AC vs. AA: OR = 0.69, 95%CI = 0.52–0.94, P = 0.016; for AC/CC vs. AA: OR = 0.68, 95%CI = 0.51–0.92, P = 0.010) as well as in the subpopulation of youngers (age < 60 years) (for AC/CC vs. AA: OR = 0.67, 95%CI = 0.45–0.99, P = 0.048). For the rs254942 polymorphism, compared with the common TT genotype, the genotypes of CT and CT/CC were only observed to reduce AG risk in the subgroups of males (for CT vs. TT: OR = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.45–0.90, P = 0.012; for CT/CC vs. TT: OR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.47–0.92, P = 0.016) and youngers (for CT vs. TT: OR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.53–0.97, P = 0.035; for CT/CC vs. TT: OR = 0.74, 95%CI = 0.55–0.99, P = 0.045). However, no significant statistical association of the two SNPs with GC susceptibility was observed in the total population. Only rs6498486 AC and AC/CC genotypes were found to be marginally associated with a reduced GC risk in the subgroup of males (for AC vs. AA: OR = 0.69, 95%CI = 0.49–0.99, P = 0.043; for AC/CC vs. AA: OR = 0.71, 95%CI = 0.50–0.99, P = 0.046). Our findings suggested that the ERCC4 rs6498486 and rs254942 may be associated with AG risk. Further validation of our results in larger populations and additional studies evaluating their molecular function are required.     

Miscibility properties of binary phosphatidylcholine mixtures. A calorimetric study.

From data obtained by differential scanning calorimetry phase diagrams were constructed, using a thermodynamically based fitting method. The following binary mixtures of phosphatidylcholines in water were studied: 14:0/14:0-glycerophosphocholine/16:0/16:0-glucerophosphocholine, 14:0/14:0-glycerophosphocholine/18:0/18:0-glycerophosphocholine, 12:0/12:0-glycerophosphocholine/16:0/16:0-glycerophosphocholine, 18:1t/18:1t-glycerophosphocholine/14:0/14:0-glycerophosphocholine and 18:1t/18:1t-glycerophosphocholine/16:0/16:0-glycerophosphocholine. A comparison is made of the present results with those obtained using probe techniques and the differences are discussed.     

Tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDCA), chemical chaperone, enhances function of islets by reducing ER stress

The exposure to acute or chronic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been known to induce dysfunction of islets, leading to apoptosis. The reduction of ER stress in islet isolation for transplantation is critical for islet protection. In this study, we investigated whether tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDCA) could inhibit ER stress induced by thapsigargin, and restore the decreased glucose stimulation index of islets. In pig islets, thapsigargin decreased the insulin secretion by high glucose stimulation in a time-dependent manner (1 h, 1.35 ± 0.16; 2 h, 1.21 ± 0.13; 4 h, 1.17 ± 0.16 vs. 0 h, 1.81 ± 0.15, n = 4, p < 0.05, respectively). However, the treatment of TUDCA restored the decreased insulin secretion index induced by thapsigargin (thapsigargin, 1.25 ± 0.12 vs. thapsigargin + TUDCA, 2.13 ± 0.19, n = 5, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the culture of isolated islets for 24 h with TUDCA significantly reduced the rate of islet regression (37.4 ± 5.8% vs. 14.5 ± 6.4%, n = 12, p < 0.05). The treatment of TUDCA enhanced ATP contents in islets (27.2 ± 3.2 pmol/20IEQs vs. 21.7 ± 2.8 pmol/20IEQs, n = 9, p < 0.05). The insulin secretion index by high glucose stimulation is also increased by treatment of TUDCA (2.42 ± 0.15 vs. 1.92 ± 0.12, n = 12, p < 0.05). Taken together, we suggest that TUDCA could be a useful agent for islet protection in islet isolation for transplantation.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms and risk of Alzheimer's disease: A meta-analysis

There were conflicting results about whether promoter polymorphisms (− 2578C/A, − 1154G/A) of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene is a risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To determine the relationship between them, a meta-analysis is needed urgently. We searched all the reports about VEGF promoter polymorphisms (− 2578C/A, − 1154G/A) and AD risk from PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Collaboration and Google Scholar database for the period up to 1 August, 2012. A total of 7 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated applying fixed or random effects models. There was no significant association between VEGF − 2578C/A polymorphisms and AD risk in all gene models (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.94–1.23 for A vs. C; OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.89–1.59 for AA vs. CC; OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.91–1.45 for AA vs. CC + CA; OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.98–1.25 for AA + CA vs. CC). Similar results were provided in subgroup analysis by ethnicity. For the VEGF − 1154G/A polymorphisms, lack of an association was also found (A vs. G: OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.79–1.01; AA vs. GG: OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.62–1.08; AA vs. GA + GG: OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.68–1.16; AA + AG vs. GG: OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.72–1.00). Conclusively, the result of this meta-analysis suggested that VEGF promoter polymorphisms (− 2578C/A, − 1154G/A) might not contribute to the susceptibility of AD.     

Relationship between chemokine (C–X–C motif) ligand 12 gene variant (rs1746048) and coronary heart disease: Case–control study and meta-analysis

The goal of our study is to evaluate the contribution of CXCL12 rs1746048 (hg19, chr10:44775574) to the risk of CHD in Han Chinese, and to summarize its role in CHD through meta-analysis of existing studies among various ethnic groups. Significant association is observed between rs1746048-C and an increased risk of CHD in Han Chinese (χ² = 5.41, df = 1, P = 0.02). Post hoc analysis reveals an even stronger association of rs1746048 with the risk of CHD for subjects aged 65 years or older (genotype: χ² = 8.39, df = 2, P = 0.015; allele: χ2 = 9.13, df = 1, P = 0.003, odd ratio (OR) = 1.91, 95% confidential interval (CI) = 1.25–2.91). A break down analysis by gender shows that rs1746048 is likely a CHD risk factor under the recessive model in males (CC + CT versus TT: P = 0.05, χ² = 3.59, df = 1, OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.00–3.04). In addition, a meta-analysis of ten studies among over 107,000 individuals confirms that rs1746048 is a risk factor of CHD (P < 0.0001, OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.09–1.15) and this agrees with the findings of our case–control study in Han Chinese.     

Acyl chain-length asymmetry alters the interfacial elastic interactions of phosphatidylcholines.

Phosphatidylcholines (PCs) with stearoyl (18:0) sn-1 chains and variable-length, saturated sn-2 acyl chains were synthesized and investigated using a Langmuir-type film balance. Surface pressure was monitored as a function of lipid molecular area at various constant temperatures between 10 degrees C and 30 degrees C. Over this temperature range, 18:0-10:0 PC displayed only liquid-expanded behavior. In contrast, di-14:0 PC displayed liquid-expanded behavior at 24 degrees C and 30 degrees C, but two-dimensional phase transitions were evident at 20 degrees C, 15 degrees C, and 10 degrees C. The average molecular area of 18:0-10:0 PC was larger than that of liquid-expanded di-14:0 PC at equivalent surface pressures, and the shapes of their liquid expanded isotherms were somewhat dissimilar. Analysis of the elastic moduli of area compressibility (Cs(-1)) as a function of molecular area revealed shallower slopes in the semilog plots of 18:0-10:0 PC compared to di-14:0 PC. At membrane-like surface pressures (e.g., 30 mN/m), 18:0-10:0 PC was 20-25% more elastic (in an in-plane sense) than di-14:0 PC. Other PCs with varying degrees of chain-length asymmetry (18:0-8:0 PC, 18:0-12:0 PC, 18:0-14:0 PC, 18:0-16:0 PC) were also investigated to determine whether the higher in-plane elasticity of fluid-phase 18:0-10:0 PC is a common feature of PCs with asymmetrical chain lengths. Two-dimensional phase transitions in 18:0-14:0 PC and 18:0-16:0 PC prevented meaningful comparison with other fluid-phase PCs at 30 mN/m. However, the Cs(-1) values for fluid-phase 18:0-8:0 PC and 18:0-12:0 PC were similar to that of 18:0-10:0 PC (85-90 mN/m). These values showed chain-length asymmetrical PCs to have 20-25% greater in-plane elasticity than fluid-phase PCs with mono- or diunsaturated acyl chains.     

Temporal regulation of the Bacillus subtilis early sporulation gene spo0F

The initiation of sporulation in Bacillus subtilis depends on seven genes of the spo0 class. One of these, spo0F, codes for a protein of 14,000 daltons. We studied the regulation of spo0F by using spo0F-lacZ translational fusions and also measured Spo0F protein levels by immunoassays. spo0F-lacZ and Spo0F levels increased as the cells entered the stationary phase, and this effect was repressed by glucose and glutamine. Decoyinine, which lowers GTP levels and allows sporulation in the presence of normally repressing levels of glucose, induced spo0F-lacZ expression and raised Spo0F levels. The expression of spo0F-lacZ was dependent on spo0A, -0B, -0E, -0F, and -0H genes, a spo0H deletion causing the strongest effect. In most respects, the spo0F gene was regulated in a manner similar to that of spoVG. However, the presence of an abrB mutation did not relieve the dependence of spo0F gene expression on spo0A, as it does with spoVG (P. Zuber and R. Losick, J. Bacteriol. 169:2223-2230, 1987).     

Increased palmitoyl-myristoyl-phosphatidylcholine in neonatal rat surfactant is lung specific and correlates with oral myristic acid supply

Surfactant predominantly comprises phosphatidylcholine (PC) species, together with phosphatidylglycerols, phosphatidylinositols, neutral lipids, and surfactant proteins-A to -D. Together, dipalmitoyl-PC (PC16:0/16:0), palmitoyl-myristoyl-PC (PC16:0/14:0), and palmitoyl-palmitoleoyl-PC (PC16:0/16:1) make up 75-80% of mammalian surfactant PC, the proportions of which vary during development and in chronic lung diseases. PC16:0/14:0, which exerts specific effects on macrophage differentiation in vitro, increases in surfactant during alveolarization (at the expense of PC16:0/16:0), a prenatal event in humans but postnatal in rats. The mechanisms responsible and the significance of this reversible increase are, however, not understood. We hypothesized that, in rats, myristic acid (C14:0) enriched milk is key to lung-specific PC16:0/14:0 increases in surfactant. We found that surfactant PC16:0/14:0 in suckling rats correlates with C14:0 concentration in plasma chylomicrons and lung tissue triglycerides, and that PC16:0/14:0 fractions reflect exogenous C14:0 supply. Significantly, C14:0 was increased neither in plasma PC, nor in liver triglycerides, free fatty acids, or PC. Lauric acid was also abundant in triglycerides, but was not incorporated into surfactant PC. Comparing a C14:0-rich milk diet with a C14:0-poor carbohydrate diet revealed increased C14:0 and decreased C16:0 in plasma and lung triglycerides, respectively. PC16:0/14:0 enrichment at the expense of PC16:0/16:0 did not impair surfactant surface tension function. However, the PC profile of the alveolar macrophages from the milk-fed animals changed from PC16:0/16:0 rich to PC16:0/14:0 rich. This was accompanied by reduced reactive oxygen species production. We propose that nutritional supply with C14:0 and its lung-specific enrichment may contribute to decreased reactive oxygen species production during alveolarization.     

Stimulatory effect of Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) inhibitor on revivability of in vitro-produced bovine blastocysts after vitrification

Inhibition of Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) activity promoted recovery and growth of frozen-thawed human embryonic stem cells. The primary objective was to determine if a ROCK inhibitor (Y-27632) in post-thaw culture medium improved revivability of vitrified IVP bovine blastocysts. Expanding or expanded blastocysts (7 d after IVF) were vitrified (minimum volume cooling procedure, using a Cryotop) in 15% ethylene glycol, 15% DMSO and 0.5 M sucrose. When post-warm blastocysts were cultured in mSOF medium, survival rate (re-expansion of blastocoel at 24 h of culture) was improved (P < 0.05) by the addition of 10 μM Y-27632 (94.9 ± 2.4%, mean ± SEM) compared to a control (78.0 ± 6.0%). Conversely, after 48 h of culture, there were no significant differences in hatching rate (62.8 ± 11.1 vs. 59.6 ± 9.4%) and mean total cell number (135.2 ± 13.1 vs. 146.7 ± 13.3). In non-vitrified IVP bovine blastocysts, the hatching rate on Day 9 was improved by Y-27632 (91.7 ± 3.8 vs. 54.7 ± 8.9%, P < 0.05), with no difference in mean total cell number of blastocysts (230.0 ± 23.0 vs. 191.2 ± 22.2, P = 0.23). In an additional experiment, Y-27632 was added to culture medium on either Day 0, Day 2, or Day 4 (and remained present until Day 8), resulting in no improvement in blastocyst yield compared to a control group (7.5 ± 2.1, 31.4 ± 2.3, 36.2 ± 3.2, and 28.6 ± 6.9%, respectively). In conclusion, adding a ROCK inhibitor to post-thaw culture medium improved revivability of IVP bovine blastocysts after vitrification and warming.     

Influence of pyrolysis condition on switchgrass bio-oil yield and physicochemical properties

The poor and inconsistent physicochemical properties of bio-oil are inhibiting its industrialized production. We investigated the variability in properties of switchgrass bio-oil produced at three pyrolysis temperatures (T = 450, 500, and 550 °C) and three feedstock moisture contents (MC = 5%, 10%, and 15%) in a 3 × 3 factorial experiment in order to exploit opportunities to improve bio-oil properties through optimization of pyrolysis parameters. Results showed that even with the single type of feedstock and pyrolysis system, the two main factors and their interaction caused large variations in bio-oil yield and most of the measured physicochemical properties. Following improvements of bio-oil properties could be individually achieved by selecting an optimal pyrolysis condition (shown in parenthesis) comparing with the worst case: increase of bio-oil yield by more than twofold (MC = 10%, T = 450 °C), increase of pH by 20.4% from 2.74 to 3.3 (MC = 10%, T = 550 °C), increase of higher heating value by 18.1% from 16.6 to 19.6 MJ/kg (MC = 10%, T = 450 °C), decrease of density by 5.9% from 1.18 to 1.11 g/cm³ (MC = 5%, T = 550 °C), decrease of water content by 36% from 31.4 to 20.1 wt.% (MC = 5%, T = 450 °C), decrease of viscosity by 40% from 28.2 to 17 centistokes (MC = 5%, T = 550 °C), decrease of solid content by 57% from 2.86 to 1.23 wt.% (MC = 15%, T = 550 °C), and decrease of ash content by 41.9% from 0.62 to 0.36 wt.% (MC = 15%, T = 550 °C). There is no single, clear-cut optimal condition that can satisfy the criteria for a bio-oil product with all the desired properties. Trade-offs should be balanced according to the usage of the end-products.     

Identification of genes and pathways involved in the synthesis of Mead acid (20:3n − 9), an indicator of essential fatty acid deficiency

In mammals, 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid (Mead acid, 20:3n − 9) is synthesized from oleic acid during a state of essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD). Mead acid is thought to be produced by the same enzymes that synthesize arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, but the genes and the pathways involved in the conversion of oleic acid to Mead acid have not been fully elucidated. The levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in cultured cells are generally very low compared to those in mammalian tissues. In this study, we found that cultured cells, such as NIH3T3 and Hepa1–6 cells, have significant levels of Mead acid, indicating that cells in culture are in an EFAD state under normal culture conditions. We then examined the effect of siRNA-mediated knockdown of fatty acid desaturases and elongases on the level of Mead acid, and found that knockdown of Elovl5, Fads1, or Fads2 decreased the level of Mead acid. This and the measured levels of possible intermediate products for the synthesis of Mead acid such as 18:2n − 9, 20:1n − 9 and 20:2n − 9 in the knocked down cells indicate two pathways for the synthesis of Mead acid: pathway 1) 18:1n − 9 → (Fads2) → 18:2n − 9 → (Elovl5) → 20:2n − 9 → (Fads1) → 20:3n − 9 and pathway 2) 18:1n − 9 → (Elovl5) → 20:1n − 9 → (Fads2) → 20:2n − 9 → (Fads1) → 20:3n − 9.     

Association of interleukin-13 SNP rs20541 with allergic rhinitis risk: A meta-analysis

Studies investigating the association between interleukin-13 (IL-13) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs20541 and allergic rhinitis (AR) risk have reported conflicting results. The aim of the present study was to conduct a meta-analysis assessing the possible association of IL-13 SNP rs20541 with AR risk. Eight studies were included in the present meta-analysis (2153 cases and 3931 controls). The combined results based on all studies showed that IL-13 SNP rs20541 was associated with increased AR risk (Gln versus Arg: odds ratio (OR) = 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–1.30; Gln/Gln versus Arg/Arg: OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.20–1.92; Arg/Gln + Gln/Gln versus Arg/Arg: OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.06–1.33; Gln/Gln versus Arg/Gln + Arg/Arg: OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.13–1.79). When stratifying for race, IL-13 SNP rs20541 exhibited increased AR risk in Asians (Gln versus Arg: OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.06–1.36; Gln/Gln versus Arg/Arg: OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.17–2.12; Arg/Gln + Gln/Gln versus Arg/Arg: OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.04–1.44; Gln/Gln versus Arg/Gln + Arg/Arg: OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.09–1.93), while no significant association was detected in Caucasians (Gln versus Arg: OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 0.93 ~ 1.78; Gln/Gln versus Arg/Arg: OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 0.96–2.11; Arg/Gln + Gln/Gln versus Arg/Arg: OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 0.89–2.05; Gln/Gln versus Arg/Gln + Arg/Arg: OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 0.93–2.02). This meta-analysis supported that IL-13 SNP rs20541 was associated with AR, particularly in Asians.     

N,O versus O,O coordination in β-imino diketonato complexes: Role of the metal center and of the imino substituent

β-Imino carbonyl enolato metal(II) complexes of general formula [M((RCO)(R′CO)CC(R″)NH)₂] (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pd, R = R′ = Me, R″ = CCl₃; M = Cu, Pd, R = R′ = Me, R″ = PhCO; R = Me, R′ = Ph, R″ = PhCO; R = R′ = Ph, R″ = PhCO) are easily synthesized by the reaction of metal(II) acetates with the proper β-enaminodiones in 1/2 molar ratio in ethanol at room temperature. In all the cases the trifunctional NOO β-imino carbonyl enolate ligand acts as bidentate to give ML₂ complexes, whose structure depends on the metal center and on the nature of the substituent R″ at the imino carbon. With R″ = CCl₃ an O,O coordination is observed for all the metal centers but one, in fact palladium(II) exhibits an N,O coordination through the imino nitrogen and one keto oxygen. By contrast with R″ = PhCO the ligand is always coordinated through the imino nitrogen and one keto oxygen atom.     

Association between interleukin-6 gene − 174 G/C polymorphism and the risk of coronary heart disease: A meta-analysis of 20 studies including 9619 cases and 10,919 controls

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene − 174 G/C polymorphism has been reported to be associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), but the results remain inconclusive. The present meta-analysis was therefore designed to clarify these controversies. This meta-analysis was performed by searching PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases. A total of 20 studies including 9619 CHD cases and 10,919 controls were combined showing no evidence of association between IL-6 gene − 174 G/C polymorphism and CHD risk (for C/C + C/G vs. G/G: OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.99–1.22, p = 0.07; for C/C vs. C/G + G/G: OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.93–1.24, p = 0.33; for C/C vs. G/G: OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.97–1.39, p = 0.11; for C allele vs. G allele: OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.00–1.21, p = 0.06). Moreover, we also did not find significant association between IL-6 gene − 174 G/C polymorphism and myocardial infarction (MI) risk. However, in the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant association was found among Asians (for C/C + C/G vs. G/G: OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.05–1.63, p = 0.02). In summary, the present meta-analysis suggests that IL-6 gene − 174 G/C polymorphism is associated with increased CHD risk among Asians. However, due to the small subjects included in the subgroup analysis of Asians, the results should be interpreted with caution.     

Ovarian follicular dynamics and plasma steroid concentrations are not significantly different in ewes given intravaginal sponges containing either 20 or 40 mg of fluorogestone acetate

Although various progestagens are often used to induce and synchronize estrus and ovulation in ruminants, concerns regarding residues are the impetus to develop alternative approaches, including reduced doses of progestagens. Therefore, the objective was to determine whether ovarian function was affected by halving the dose of fluorogestone acetate in intravaginal sponges for synchronizing ovulation in sheep during the physiologic breeding season. Twenty Manchega ewes, 4-6-year-old, were randomly allocated to receive an intravaginal sponge containing either 20 mg (P20, n = 10) or 40 mg of fluorogestone acetate (P40, n = 10). Cloprostenol (125 μg) was given at sponge insertion, and all sponges were removed after 6 d. Ovarian follicular dynamics (monitored by daily ultrasonography) and other aspects of ovarian function did not differ significantly between the two groups. Ovulatory follicles (OF) grew at a similar growth rate (r = 0.62; P < 0.001), with comparable initial and maximum diameters (4.2 ± 0.4 to 6.0 ± 0.3 mm in P20 vs. 4.6 ± 0.6 to 5.7 ± 0.2 mm in P40, mean ± S.E.M.). Plasma estradiol concentrations (determined once daily) increased linearly during the 72 h interval after sponge removal (1.3 ± 0.1 to 3.3 ± 0.1 pg/mL for P20, P < 0.005 and 1.4 ± 0.1 to 3.1 ± 0.2 pg/mL for P40, P < 0.005). Ten days after sponge removal, ovulation rates (1.2 ± 0.2 for P20 and 1.4 ± 0.3 for P40), and plasma progesterone concentrations (3.8 ± 0.35 ng/mL for P20 and 3.9 ± 0.38 ng/mL for P40) were similar. In conclusion, reducing the dose of fluorogestone acetate from 40 to 20 mg did not affect significantly ovarian follicular dynamics or other aspects of ovarian function.     

Spontaneous recovery or persistence of postpartum endometritis and risk factors for its persistence in Holstein cows

It has been stated that postpartum endometritis in dairy cows has a tendency to cure without intervention. The objectives of this field study, therefore, were to determine the proportions of cows with spontaneous clinical recovery or persistence of postpartum endometritis and to determine some risk factors for its persistency in dairy cows (Bos taurus). Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 441 lactations) from seven dairy herds were examined monthly by vaginoscopy and transrectal palpation. A cow was considered to have “postpartum endometritis” if it had pus in the cervico-vaginal discharge at the first postpartum examination during Days 15 to 60 (Day 0 = day of calving); this was classified as mild, mucopurulent, or purulent endometritis, or endometritis with fluid in uterus. Furthermore, a cow with evidence of endometritis at least once during Days 61 to 150 was considered to have “persistence (or recurrence) of endometritis.” A total of 104 (23.6%) lactations had postpartum endometritis, of which 25.3% had persistence or recurrence of clinical endometritis. Cows with persistence or recurrence of endometritis became pregnant at a slower rate (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.28; P < 0.001) than those with no endometritis until Day 150. Calving in summer (odds ratio [OR] = 7.00; P = 0.04), early postpartum complications (OR = 6.58; P = 0.05), moderate (OR = 4.03; P = 0.08) and severe (OR = 30.99; P = 004) degrees of urovagina, and mucopurulent (OR = 9.54; P = 0.02) and purulent (OR = 5.70; P = 0.04) endometritis were risk factors for the persistence or recurrence of endometritis. Furthermore, 10.6% of cows that had not shown signs of postpartum endometritis had a new diagnosis of endometritis during Days 61 to 150. Some risk factors for the new diagnosis of endometritis beyond Day 60 were early postpartum complications (OR = 2.82; P = 0.03) and moderate (OR = 5.00; P = 0.001) or severe (OR = 12.63; P < 0.001) degrees of urovagina. In conclusion, approximately one quarter of cows with postpartum endometritis had persistence of endometritis until or beyond the breeding period. Risk factors for the persistence of clinical endometritis were summer calving, early postpartum complications, clinically relevant urovagina, and clinically relevant endometritis within 2 mo postpartum.     

Influence of interleukin-6 gene − 174G>C polymorphism on development of atherosclerosis: A meta-analysis of 50 studies involving 33,514 subjects

Increasing epidemiological studies have focused on the associations between interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene − 174G>C polymorphism and atherosclerotic diseases, but the results are still controversial. This meta-analysis was designed to identify whether this association exists. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane database, Clinicaltrials.gov and Current Controlled Trials, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, CBMdisc, CNKI and Google Scholar were searched to get the genetic association studies. The crude odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the association between the IL-6 gene − 174G>C polymorphism and atherosclerosis ( AS ) risk. The subgroup analyses were made on the following: ethnicity, atherosclerotic diseases and source of controls. Finally, 50 studies (15,029 cases and 18,485 controls) were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, no significant association was found between the IL-6 gene − 174G>C polymorphism and AS risk (for C allele vs. G allele: OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.94–1.11, p = 0.64; for C/C vs. G/G: OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.85–1.21, p = 0.88; for C/C vs. C/G + G/G: OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.84–1.12, p = 0.68; for C/C + C/G vs. G/G: OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.97–1.17, p = 0.18). In the subgroup analyses, significant associations were found between the IL-6 gene − 174G>C polymorphism and AS in non-Caucasian group (for CC + CG vs. GG: OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06–1.41, p = 0.005), other atherosclerotic diseases group (for C allele vs. G allele: OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.61–0.93, p = 0.008; for C/C vs. G/G: OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.38–0.81, p = 0.002; for C/C vs. C/G + G/G: OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.45–0.79, p = 0.0004) and population-based group (for C allele vs. G allele: OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.00–1.18, p = 0.04; for CC + CG vs. GG: OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.04–1.27, p = 0.005). In summary, the present meta-analysis suggests that the IL-6 gene − 174G C polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility to AS. However, due to the high heterogeneity in the meta-analysis, the results should be interpreted with caution.