Cost-Effectiveness of Colorectal Cancer Screening Protocols in Urban Chinese Populations

Colorectal cancer (CRC) takes a second and fourth position in the incidence and mortality lists respectively among all malignant tumors in urban populations in China. This study was designed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of two different CRC screening protocols: faecal occult blood test (FOBT) alone, and FOBT plus a high-risk factor questionnaire (HRFQ) as the respective initial screens, followed by colonoscopy. We developed a Markov model to simulate the progression of a cohort of 100,000 average risk asymptomatic individuals moving through a defined series of states between the ages of 40 to 74 years. The parameters used for the modeling came from the CESP (Comparison and Evaluation of Screening Programs for Colorectal Cancer in Urban Communities in China) study and published literature. Eight CRC screening scenarios were tested in the Markov model. The cost-effectiveness of CRC screening under each scenario was measured by an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) compared with a scenario without CRC screening. The study revealed that a combined use of FOBT and HRFQ is preferable in CRC screening programs as an initial screening instrument. Annual FOBT+HRFQ screening is recommended for those who have a negative initial result and those who have a positive result but have failed to continue to colonoscopic examination. Repeated colonoscopy (for those with a positive result in initial screening but a negative colonoscopy result) should be performed at a ten-year interval instead of one-year. Such a protocol would cost 7732 Yuan per life year saved, which is the most cost-effective option. In conclusion, the current Chinese Trial Version for CRC Screening Strategy should be revised in line with the most cost-effective protocol identified in this study.     

利用花青素可视化跟踪表达系统快速筛选表达Cry1Ab/c基因的转基因玉米

以草甘膦抗性基因Epsps为标记基因, 在原核Kan^r基因两侧引入Cre(环化重组酶)基因识别的Lox-P位点, 同时以编码花青素合成转录因子的Bi和Cl基因为可视化选择报告基因, 构建了Bt杀虫蛋白基因Cry1Ab/c的可视化跟踪表达载体pBAC9017。用PDS1000/He基因枪转化玉米(Zea mays)自交系501的幼胚和胚性愈伤组织, 获得147个草甘膦抗性的玉米再生植株。其中106棵植株获得了结实种子, 16棵植株的结实种子有紫红色花青素基因的表达。经PCR检测表明, 外源Cry1Ab/c基因已经整合到玉米的基因组中。转基因植株种子蛋白粗提物用BT-Cry1Ab/1Ac金标免疫检测试纸条和ELISA检测, 结果表明, Cry1Ab/c在部分转基因植株后代中表达。     

基于CRISPR/Cas原理的转基因产品检测技术研究进展

随着转基因产品商业化种植面积不断增加、国际贸易日趋频繁,对转基因生物安全管理提出了更高的要求。转基因产品检测技术作为安全评价的关键环节,逐渐引起了各国政府的关注。目前,针对转基因产品的快速检测方法层出不穷,但这些检测方法对于设备、试剂和专业的实验人员均有较高的要求。因此,为了有效支撑转基因相关产业的发展和管理,亟需建立一种高灵敏度、高特异性及高效的转基因检测技术。基因组编辑技术是近年来迅速发展的一类遗传修饰技术,其代表技术——CRISPR/Cas技术,更是极大地推动了生物技术的发展。CRISPR/Cas技术除了被应用于基因编辑领域,也逐渐被应用于核酸分子检测领域。基于此,以转基因产品检测技术为立足点,从CRISPR/Cas的检测原理、检测效果等技术层面分析了CRISPR/Cas检测技术发展的必然性,并对其在转基因产品检测上的应用前景进行展望,旨在为我国转基因产品快速检测和有效监管工作提供资料,对于保障我国转基因产品贸易的顺利进行具有重要意义。     

免疫捕获PCR法快速检测金黄色葡萄球菌

旨在建立一种快速检测金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus,SA)免疫捕获PCR技术,并探讨其灵敏度和特异性。SA特异性抗体包被PCR管以富集待测样品中目标菌,之后在同一PCR管里直接进行免疫捕获PCR,并和直接PCR比较。免疫捕获PCR法可特异性检测2株SA菌株,而无法检测到其它8种常见食源性致病菌,说明该方法对SA具有良好的特异性;该方法对纯菌液而言,检测灵敏度可达到2.35×102CFU/mL,是直接PCR的100倍;对5种食品模拟带菌检测发现,无需增菌培养,其灵敏度可达到2.35×103-2.35×104CFU/mL,是直接PCR的10-100倍。免疫捕获PCR法集免疫学与分子生物学检测技术于一体,具有高特异性、高灵敏度、检测快速、易于操作、成本低廉等诸多优点,是一种适合基层实验室使用的检测技术。     

Identification and genetic mapping of <Emphasis Type="Italic">pm42</Emphasis>, a new recessive wheat powdery mildew resistance gene derived from wild emmer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides</Emphasis>)

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most important wheat diseases worldwide in areas with cool or maritime climates. Wild emmer (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides) is an important potential donor of disease resistances and other traits for common wheat improvement. A powdery mildew resistance gene was transferred from wild emmer accession G-303-1M to susceptible common wheat by crossing and backcrossing, resulting in inbred line P63 (Yanda1817/G-303-1 M//3*Jing411, BC₂F₆). Genetic analysis of an F₂ population and the F_2:3 families developed from a cross of P63 and a susceptible common wheat line Xuezao showed that the powdery mildew resistance in P63 was controlled by a single recessive gene. Molecular markers and bulked segregant analysis were used to characterize and map the powdery mildew resistance gene. Nine genomic SSR markers (Xbarc7, Xbarc55, Xgwm148, Xgwm257, Xwmc35, Xwmc154, Xwmc257, Xwmc382, Xwmc477), five AFLP-derived SCAR markers (XcauG3, XcauG6, XcauG10, XcauG20, XcauG22), three EST–STS markers (BQ160080, BQ160588, BF146221) and one RFLP-derived STS marker (Xcau516) were linked to the resistance gene, designated pm42, in P63. pm42 was physically mapped on chromosome 2BS bin 0.75–0.84 using Chinese Spring nullisomic-tetrasomic, ditelosomic and deletion lines, and was estimated to be more than 30 cM proximal to Xcau516, a RFLP-derived STS marker that co-segregated with the wild emmer-derived Pm26 which should be physically located in 2BS distal bin 0.84–1.00. pm42 was highly effective against 18 of 21 differential Chinese isolates of B. graminis f. sp. tritici. The closely linked molecular markers will enable the rapid transfer of pm42 to wheat breeding populations thus adding to their genetic diversity. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. W. Hua, Z. Liu, and J. Zhu contributed equally to this work.     

PE_PGRS62 promotes the survival of Mycobacterium smegmatis within macrophages via disrupting ER stress-mediated apoptosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the leading causative agent of tuberculosis, remains one of the most deadly infectious pathogens. PE_PGRS proteins become a new focus as their species specificity in mycobacteria, especially in pathogenic mycobacteria. Despite intensive research, PE_PGRS proteins are still a mysterious aspect of mycobacterial pathogenesis with unknown mechanism. Herein, we focused on a PE_PGRS member from M. tuberculosis, PE_PGRS62, characterized by a surface-exposed protein function in disrupting phagolysosome maturation. Expression of PE_PGRS62 in Mycobacterium smegmatis, a nonpathogenic species naturally deficient in PE_PGRS genes, resulted in enhanced resistance to various in vitro stresses and cellular survival in macrophage. As a consequence, the cytokine profiles of macrophage were disturbed and cell apoptosis were inhibited via decreasing endoplasmic reticulum stress response.     

The Structure, Function, and Regulation of Mycobacterium FtsZ

FtsZ is a widely distributed major cytoskeletal protein involved in the archaea and bacteria cell division. It is the most critical component in the division machinery and similar to tubulin in structure and function. Four major roles of FtsZ have been characterized: cell elongation, GTPase, cell division, and bacterial cytoskeleton. FtsZ subunits can be assembled into protofilaments. Mycobacteria consist of a large family of medical and environmental important bacteria, such as M. leprae, M. tuberculosis, the pathogen of leprosy, and tuberculosis. Structure, function, and regulation of mycobacteria FtsZ are summarized here, together with the implication of FtsZ as potential novel drug target for anti-tuberculosis therapeutics.