Spoiling the Whole Bunch: Quality Control Aimed at Preserving the Integrity of High-Throughput Genotyping

False-positive or false-negative results attributable to undetected genotyping errors and confounding factors present a constant challenge for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) given the low signals associated with complex phenotypes and the noise associated with high-throughput genotyping. In the context of the genetics of kidneys in diabetes (GoKinD) study, we identify a source of error in genotype calling and demonstrate that a standard battery of quality-control (QC) measures is not sufficient to detect and/or correct it. We show that, if genotyping and calling are done by plate (batch), even a few DNA samples of marginally acceptable quality can profoundly alter the allele calls for other samples on the plate. In turn, this leads to significant differential bias in estimates of allele frequency between plates and, potentially, to false-positive associations, particularly when case and control samples are not sufficiently randomized to plates. This problem may become widespread as investigators tap into existing public databases for GWAS control samples. We describe how to detect and correct this bias by utilizing additional sources of information, including raw signal-intensity data.     

Developmental aspects of the tympanic membrane: Shedding light on function and disease

The ear drum, or tympanic membrane (TM), is a key component in the intricate relay that transmits air‐borne sound to our fluid‐filled inner ear. Despite early belief that the mammalian ear drum evolved as a transformation of a reptilian drum, newer fossil data suggests a parallel and independent evolution of this structure in mammals. The term “drum” belies what is in fact a complex three‐dimensional structure formed from multiple embryonic cell lineages. Intriguingly, disease affects the ear drum differently in its different parts, with the superior and posterior parts being much more frequently affected. This suggests a key role for the developmental details of TM formation in its final form and function, both in homeostasis and regeneration. Here we review recent studies in rodent models and humans that are beginning to address large knowledge gaps in TM cell dynamics from a developmental biologist's point of view. We outline the biological and clinical uncertainties that remain, with a view to guiding the indispensable contribution that developmental biology will be able to make to better understanding the TM.     

Androgen and the elaborate courtship behavior of a tropical lekking bird

In most bird species, male courtship behavior is controlled by testosterone (T) and its metabolites. In species breeding in temperate and arctic regions T circulates at high levels during a relatively short courtship period because high levels of T can be costly in terms of immunocompetence and parental care. Few studies have investigated androgen modulation of courtship behavior in tropical birds. Male golden-collared manakins (Manacus vitellinus) aggregate in leks for several months and perform spectacular, acrobatic courtship displays. Here we examined whether T is elevated in golden-collared manakins during the displaying period and if courtship behavior is modulated by androgen action on androgen receptors. We measured T levels in displaying males at the beginning of the breeding season and again, one month later. In addition, both wild and captive males were treated with the anti-androgen, flutamide, and their courtship behavior was recorded for several weeks. T levels were relatively high shortly after leks were established but decreased substantially a month later, even though the amount of courtship did not change. Flutamide reduced male courtship activity for one week, but display behavior then increased after two weeks of flutamide treatment. Our studies show that androgens modulate male manakin courtship, but the amount of courtship is not directly correlated with the concentration of circulating T. These results suggest that the relationships between androgen and courtship might differ between tropical and temperate birds.     

钙信号转导途径介导肺炎链球菌侵袭人肺Ⅱ型上皮细胞

用Factin 特异性FITCphalloidin荧光染料,观察肺炎链球菌（Streptococcus pneumoniae）作用A549细胞前后的Factin细胞骨架重排情况;用细胞松弛素D预处理A49细胞,观察肺炎链球菌对A549细胞的侵袭率;使用Datrolene预处理A549细胞,观察其与Factin细胞骨架重排百分率间是否存在剂量依赖关系;用Fura2/AM荧光探针负载A549细胞后测定肺炎链球菌粘附A549细胞后的胞内Ca2+浓度。结果发现肺炎链球菌作用A549细胞后,Factin细胞骨架呈块状、丝状聚集;而松弛素D可明显降低肺炎链球菌对A549细胞的侵袭率;肺炎链球菌粘附A549细胞后胞内Ca2+高于对照;Datrolene可部分抑制A549细胞Factin细胞骨架重排,且与Factin细胞骨架重排百分率间存在量效关系。以上结果提示肺炎链球菌可通过Ca2+细胞信号转导途径触发A549细胞Factin细胞骨架重排,进而导致肺炎链球菌侵袭A549细胞。     

改良的KANE/FISHER系统对常见皮肤癣菌的鉴定

目的 以改良的KANE/FISHER系统对常见皮肤癣菌进行鉴定,探索建立一个临床实用的标准化皮肤癣菌鉴定系统.方法 选取KANE/FISHER鉴定系统中的6种主要培养基对皮肤癣菌ATCC株和经初步鉴定的临床株共63株进行培养鉴定.结果 改良的KANE/FISHER鉴定系统基本可以将实验菌株鉴定到种的水平.结论 改良的KANE/FISHER鉴定系统对常见皮肤癣菌能做到种的鉴定,可作为标准化鉴定方法在实验室中应用.     

黄喉拟水龟的繁殖生物学研究

1998年4-11月对黄喉拟水龟的繁殖生物学进行了研究,在广东,黄喉拟水龟的产卵高峰期在5-6月,窝卵量1-7枚,平均2.5枚;卵重平均13.95g;长径平均4.34cm;短径平均2.23cm。卵重与卵长径呈正相关关系,在25-32℃、沙床含水量5-10%孵化条件下,孵化时间平衡73.8d,孵化率84.2%。初生稚龟均重9.75g。背甲长平均3.77cm;背甲宽平均2.91cm。稚龟体重与背甲长、宽呈极显著的正相关关系,稚龟经8-11月3个月生长,平均日增重0.149g。稚龟体重、背甲长、宽与日龄呈极显著的正相关关系。稚龟体重与背甲长宽也呈极显著的正相关关系。