Molecular cloning, tissue expression and SNP analysis in the goat nerve growth factor gene

In this study, we cloned the full coding region of NGF gene from the caprine ovary. Result showed the caprine NGF cDNA (GenBank Accession No. JQ308184) contained a 726 bp open reading frame encoding a protein with 241 amino acid residues. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that caprine NGF amino acid sequence was 83–99 % identical to that of mouse, pig, dog, human and bovine. It was predicted that caprine NGF contained nine serine phosphorylation loci, four threonine phosphorylation loci and nine specific PKC phosphorylation loci. The NGF mRNA expression pattern showed that NGF gene was expressed highly in ovary. This work provided an important experimental basis for further research on the function of NGF in goat. A single nucleotide polymorphism (A705G) in the coding region of NGF gene was detected by PCR–RFLP and DNA sequencing in 630 goats of three breeds. The frequencies of G allele were 0.52–0.61, and frequencies of A allele were 0.48–0.39 for SN, GZ and BG breeds, respectively. The does with GG genotype had higher litter size than those with GA and AA genotypes (P < 0.05). Hence, the biochemical and physiological functions, together with the results obtained in our investigation, suggest that the NGF gene could serve as a genetic marker for litter size in goat breeding.     

Assessment of energy partitioning in PSII complexes using chlorophyll fluorescence: reviewing the different approaches toward the definition of a unified method

Based on the examination and quantitative comparison of the approaches used to assess the energy partitioning in photosystem II, the unified method was proposed to calculate the contribution of the components of nonphotochemical quenching.     

Characterization and expression of Rubisco activase genes in Ipomoea batatas

Two-dimensional electrophoresis, coupled with MALDI-TOF-MS, was used to identify differentially expressed proteins between young and mature leaves of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam]. The results showed that there were 25 differential proteins between young and mature leaves. The Rubisco activase (RCA) that catalyzes the activation of Rubisco in vivo and plays a crucial role in photosynthesis was among these 25 proteins. So far, little was known about the molecular biology of RCA in sweet potato. Here, this research reports the cloning and characterization of two genes encoding the short isoform and the long isoform of sweet potato RCAs. Analysis of DNA sequences of RCA suggested that the corresponding mRNAs were transcribed from two different genes. To study the roles of these two RCA isoforms in photosynthesis, we investigated the expression patterns of these RCA genes at the mRNA and protein levels every 2 h in a photoperiod and under different temperatures conditions. The results indicated that these two RCA isoforms may play different roles in regulating photosynthesis and they may be regulated by light, heat or both. In addition, there were interactions between Rubisco large subunit (RBCl) and short isoform RCA (RCAs) as well as RCAs and long isoform RCA (RCAl), but no interaction between RBCl and RCAl, implying they might form a sandwich-like structure (RBCl–RCAs–RCAl), at least in yeast cells. These results provided new information on the modulation of RCA genes in sweet potato, which could be useful in improving photosynthesis and plant growth in sweet potato.     

Expression of survivin and patients survival in non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis of the published studies

Among new biological markers that could become useful prognostic factors for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Survivin is one of the most commonly over-expressed oncogenes, however, its role in NSCLC remains controversial. We performed a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis to clarify this issue. Electronic databases were used to identify published studies before August 2011. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) was used to estimate the strength of the association of survivin expression with survival of NSCLC patients. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed. Overall 29 relevant published studies including 2,517 lung cancer patients were identified from electronic databases. We found that overexpression of survivin in NSCLC patients might be a poor prognostic factor for survival 1.95 (95 % CI: 1.65-2.29; P < 0.001). Heterogeneity testing indicated that there was heterogeneity among studies. When stratified by histology types, the heterogeneity was absent. We should point out that the publication bias may partly account for the result, but the conclusion might not be affected deeply by the publication bias. When we accounted for publication bias using the trim and fill method, the results remained significant (HR = 1.71, 95 % CI: 1.44–2.02, P < 0.001), suggesting the stability of our results. Therefore, our study suggested that survivin overexpression had a poor prognosis value in patients with NSCLC.     

The association between CD14 gene C-260T polymorphism and coronary heart disease risk: a meta-analysis

Monocyte differentiation antigen CD14 is considered an important cell-activating mediator of inflammatory responses that may result in atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease (CHD), thrombus formation, and myocardial infarction (MI). A common C-260T polymorphism in the promoter of the CD14 gene, the trans-membrane receptor of lipopolysaccharides, has been inconsistently associated with CHD. To investigate this inconsistency, we performed a meta-analysis of 28 studies involving a total of 13,335 CHD cases and 7,979 controls for C-260T of the CD14 gene to evaluate the effect of CD14 on genetic susceptibility for CHD. An overall random effects odds ratio of 1.24 (95 % CI: 1.12–1.36, P < 10^?5) was found for T allele. Significant results were also observed using dominant (OR = 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.17–1.54, P < 10^?4) or recessive genetic model (OR = 1.25, 95 % CI: 1.10–1.41, P = 0.0004). There was strong evidence of heterogeneity (P < 10^?5), which largely disappeared after stratification by ethnicity. After stratified by ethnicity, significant results were found in East Asians; whereas no significant associations were found among Caucasians and other ethnic populations in all genetic models. In the stratified analysis according to sample size, CHD endpoints, and HWE status, significantly increased risks for the polymorphism were found in all genetic models. In conclusion, our results indicate that the CD14 C-260T polymorphism is a risk factor of CHD, especially in East Asians. However, additional very large-scale studies are warranted to confirm our results.     

Novel mechanisms of tube-size regulation revealed by the Drosophila trachea

The size of various tubes within tubular organs such as the lung, vascular system and kidney must be finely tuned for the optimal delivery of gases, nutrients, waste and cells within the entire organism. Aberrant tube sizes lead to devastating human illnesses, such as polycystic kidney disease, fibrocystic breast disease, pancreatic cystic neoplasm and thyroid nodules. However, the underlying mechanisms that are responsible for tube-size regulation have yet to be fully understood. Therefore, no effective treatments are available for disorders caused by tube-size defects. Recently, the Drosophila tracheal system has emerged as an excellent in vivo model to explore the fundamental mechanisms of tube-size regulation. Here, we discuss the role of the apical luminal matrix, cell polarity and signaling pathways in regulating tube size in Drosophila trachea. Previous studies of the Drosophila tracheal system have provided general insights into epithelial tube morphogenesis. Mechanisms that regulate tube size in Drosophila trachea could be well conserved in mammalian tubular organs. This knowledge should greatly aid our understanding of tubular organogenesis in vertebrates and potentially lead to new avenues for the treatment of human disease caused by tube-size defects.     

Generalized Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis Caused by Phialophora verrucosa: Report of a Case and Review of Literature

We report a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Phialophora verrucosa in a 64-year-old Chinese farmer suffering from CD4+ lymphopenia. He presented with diffuse and infiltrated plaques involving the entire face including the eyes, neck, occiput, and extending to the dorsal regions of his torso. The patient is notable for the discrete multifocal nature of the illness in the absence of disseminated infection and rarity of P. verrucosa as a cause of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis.