Mantel方法在生态学中的应用

本文介绍了用于分析矩阵之间相关关系的Mantel检验和偏Mantel检验,并用生态学中的实例说明它们的具体应用.     

云南省兰科植物新记录

云南省是中国乃至世界兰科(Orchidaceae)植物最为丰富的地区之一,近年来随着调查研究工作的深入,发现了不少新属、新种、新记录属以及新记录种[1-10]。笔者近年来对云南南部和东南部植物区系进行调查,并通过标本鉴定和相关资料查阅,发现了4个云南新记录属和9个云南新记录种。其中,     

三叶木通茎中的苯丙素类化学成分

为了解三叶木通[Akebia trifoliata(Thunb.)Koidaz]的化学成分,从其茎的乙醇提取物中分离得到7个苯丙素类化合物。经过光谱分析,分别鉴定为osmanthuside E(1)、木通苯乙醇苷B(2)、2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl-(6-O-feruloyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside(3)、dunalianoside D(4)、dunalianoside C(5)、咖啡酸(6)、秦皮乙素(7)。除化合物6外,其他化合物均为首次从该植物中分离获得,化合物4和5为首次从木通属植物中分离得到。     

芽胞杆菌B13液体发酵培养基的优化

目的建立培养技术,开发芽胞杆菌B13的微生态制剂。方法单因素实验后综合考虑,选择红糖、麸皮、豆粕粉、尿素等4个因素,每个因素3水平进行L9(34)正交试验。结果获得芽胞杆菌B13的最优碳源为葡萄糖,最优氮源为豆粕粉,最佳培养基成分为:红糖1%,麸皮1%,豆粕粉0.5%,尿素1%,磷酸氢二钾0.5%,水1 000 mL,pH 7.0~7.2。结论对最优培养基配方进行有效活菌数计数,芽胞杆菌有效活菌数为7.8×109CFU/mL。     

基于全基因组关联的中国常见肿瘤遗传病因学研究

肿瘤是基因-环境交互作用引起的复杂性疾病.在同样的环境暴露下,不同遗传背景的个体发生肿瘤的风险有很大差异.研究肿瘤相关遗传因素对理解肿瘤发生发展乃至诊断治疗都有重要意义.近年来发展的全基因组关联研究(genome-wide association study,GWAS)可在全基因组范围内发现与复杂疾病或表型关联的遗传因素,为复杂疾病遗传学研究提供了强有力的手段.欧美研究者运用全基因组关联研究的方法,对各种常见肿瘤进行了研究,获得了重要成果.2010年以来,中国科学家在国际核心期刊发表了一系列高水平的肿瘤全基因组关联研究成果,在中国常见肿瘤的遗传病因学研究方面取得了重要进展.     

狭叶柴胡营养器官中柴胡皂苷和黄酮类化合物的积累部位及含量比较

采用植物解剖学、组织化学定位和紫外分光光度计分析方法,对狭叶柴胡各营养器官(根、茎、叶)的结构特征、营养器官中柴胡皂苷和黄酮类化合物的积累部位及其含量进行比较研究。结果表明:(1)狭叶柴胡根由周皮、中柱鞘薄壁组织和次生维管组织组成,茎由表皮、皮层和维管柱组成,叶为等面叶结构,其营养器官的结构均表现出对旱生环境的适应性。(2)组织化学定位显示,柴胡皂苷在狭叶柴胡根中主要分布在维管形成层和次生韧皮部及次生木质部靠近维管形成层的木薄壁细胞中,在茎中主要分布在表皮、皮层、维管形成层及韧皮薄壁细胞中,在叶中主要分布于表皮和叶肉中;狭叶柴胡的黄酮类化合物在茎中主要分布于表皮、棱角处的厚角组织及部分皮层细胞中,在叶中主要分布于表皮和位于叶缘及下表皮内的厚角组织中,在根内分布很少。(3)定量分析表明,柴胡总皂苷在狭叶柴胡根、茎、叶中的含量分别为2.635%、1.045%和0.981%;而黄酮类化合物在根、茎、叶中的含量分别为0.032%、1.212%和2.259%;定量分析结果与组织化学实验结果相符。研究表明,柴胡总皂苷在狭叶柴胡的根中含量最高,支持《中国药典》以根入药的结论;而且狭叶柴胡叶中的黄酮类化合物含量较高,建议对狭叶柴胡的叶进行综合开发利用。     

乌桕SsSAD基因的原核表达与纯化研究

乌桕是一种重要的木本油料树种。SAD(stearoyl-acyl ACP desaturase)是油料植物中将饱和脂肪酸转变成不饱和脂肪酸的一种关键脱氢酶。为了进一步揭示乌桕SsSAD的功能,该研究在大肠杆菌中表达了该蛋白。结果表明:(1)通过RT-PCR的方法从乌桕种子中克隆出了SsSAD基因编码区全长序列,并将其克隆到低温诱导的原核表达载体pCold TF上,构建原核重组表达载体pCold TF/SsSAD,转化大肠杆菌BL 21star(DE3)并获得原核表达工程菌株。(2)通过IPTG法低温诱导表达融合蛋白。该重组质粒在大肠杆菌中得到了高效表达,融合蛋白分子质量约为101kD,且在上清液和包涵体中均有表达,可溶性部分经亲和层析纯化和Western blotting检测证实获得了重组蛋白,上述结果为进一步研究乌桕SsSAD的结构和功能奠定了基础。     

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of One-Carbon Metabolism and Cancers of the Esophagus,Stomach, and Liver in a Chinese Population

One-carbon metabolism (folate metabolism) is considered important in carcinogenesis because of its involvement in DNA synthesis and biological methylation reactions. We investigated the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in folate metabolic pathway and the risk of three GI cancers in a population-based case-control study in Taixing City, China, with 218 esophageal cancer cases, 206 stomach cancer cases, 204 liver cancer cases, and 415 healthy population controls. Study participants were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire, and blood samples were collected after the interviews. We genotyped SNPs of the MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, DNMT1, and ALDH2 genes, using PCR-RFLP, SNPlex, or TaqMan assays. To account for multiple comparisons and reduce the chances of false reports, we employed semi-Bayes (SB) shrinkage analysis. After shrinkage and adjusting for potential confounding factors, we found positive associations between MTHFR rs1801133 and stomach cancer (any T versus C/C, SB odds-ratio [SBOR]: 1.79, 95% posterior limits: 1.18, 2.71) and liver cancer (SBOR: 1.51, 95% posterior limits: 0.98, 2.32). There was an inverse association between DNMT1 rs2228612 and esophageal cancer (any G versus A/A, SBOR: 0.60, 95% posterior limits: 0.39, 0.94). In addition, we detected potential heterogeneity across alcohol drinking status for ORs relating MTRR rs1801394 to esophageal (posterior homogeneity P = 0.005) and stomach cancer (posterior homogeneity P = 0.004), and ORs relating MTR rs1805087 to liver cancer (posterior homogeneity P = 0.021). Among non-alcohol drinkers, the variant allele (allele G) of these two SNPs was inversely associated with the risk of these cancers; while a positive association was observed among ever-alcohol drinkers. Our results suggest that genetic polymorphisms related to one-carbon metabolism may be associated with cancers of the esophagus, stomach, and liver. Heterogeneity across alcohol consumption status of the associations between MTR/MTRR polymorphisms and these cancers indicates potential interactions between alcohol drinking and one-carbon metabolic pathway.     

Total Hip Replacement for the Treatment of End Stage Arthritis of the Hip: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Evolvements in the design, fixation methods, size, and bearing surface of implants for total hip replacement (THR) have led to a variety of options for healthcare professionals to consider. The need to determine the most optimal combinations of THR implant is warranted. This systematic review evaluated the clinical effectiveness of different types of THR used for the treatment of end stage arthritis of the hip.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was undertaken in major health databases. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews published from 2008 onwards comparing different types of primary THR in patients with end stage arthritis of the hip were included.

Results

Fourteen RCTs and five systematic reviews were included. Patients experienced significant post-THR improvements in Harris Hip scores, but this did not differ between impact types. There was a reduced risk of implant dislocation after receiving a larger femoral head size (36 mm vs. 28 mm; RR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.78) or cemented cup (vs. cementless cup; pooled odds ratio: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.89). Recipients of cross-linked vs. conventional polyethylene cup liners experienced reduced femoral head penetration and revision. There was no impact of femoral stem fixation and cup shell design on implant survival rates. Evidence on mortality and complications (aseptic loosening, femoral fracture) was inconclusive.

Conclusions

The majority of evidence was inconclusive due to poor reporting, missing data, or uncertainty in treatment estimates. The findings warrant cautious interpretation given the risk of bias (blinding, attrition), methodological limitations (small sample size, low event counts, short follow-up), and poor reporting. Long-term pragmatic RCTs are needed to allow for more definitive conclusions. Authors are encouraged to specify the minimal clinically important difference and power calculation for their primary outcome(s) as well CONSORT, PRISMA and STROBE guidelines to ensure better reporting and more reliable production and assessment of evidence.     

Comparison of Texture Features Derived from Static and Respiratory-Gated PET Images in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background

PET-based texture features have been used to quantify tumor heterogeneity due to their predictive power in treatment outcome. We investigated the sensitivity of texture features to tumor motion by comparing static (3D) and respiratory-gated (4D) PET imaging.

Methods

Twenty-six patients (34 lesions) received 3D and 4D [¹⁸F]FDG-PET scans before the chemo-radiotherapy. The acquired 4D data were retrospectively binned into five breathing phases to create the 4D image sequence. Texture features, including Maximal correlation coefficient (MCC), Long run low gray (LRLG), Coarseness, Contrast, and Busyness, were computed within the physician-defined tumor volume. The relative difference (δ_3D-4D) in each texture between the 3D- and 4D-PET imaging was calculated. Coefficient of variation (CV) was used to determine the variability in the textures between all 4D-PET phases. Correlations between tumor volume, motion amplitude, and δ_3D-4D were also assessed.

Results

4D-PET increased LRLG ( = 1%–2%, p<0.02), Busyness ( = 7%–19%, p<0.01), and decreased MCC ( = 1%–2%, p<7.5×10⁻³), Coarseness ( = 5%–10%, p<0.05) and Contrast ( = 4%–6%, p>0.08) compared to 3D-PET. Nearly negligible variability was found between the 4D phase bins with CV<5% for MCC, LRLG, and Coarseness. For Contrast and Busyness, moderate variability was found with CV = 9% and 10%, respectively. No strong correlation was found between the tumor volume and δ_3D-4D for the texture features. Motion amplitude had moderate impact on δ for MCC and Busyness and no impact for LRLG, Coarseness, and Contrast.

Conclusions

Significant differences were found in MCC, LRLG, Coarseness, and Busyness between 3D and 4D PET imaging. The variability between phase bins for MCC, LRLG, and Coarseness was negligible, suggesting that similar quantification can be obtained from all phases. Texture features, blurred out by respiratory motion during 3D-PET acquisition, can be better resolved by 4D-PET imaging. 4D-PET textures may have better prognostic value as they are less susceptible to tumor motion.