Differential gene expression in Arabidopsis wild-type and mutant anthers: insights into anther cell differentiation and regulatory networks

In flowering plants, the anther contains highly specialized reproductive and somatic cells that are required for male fertility. Genetic studies have uncovered several genes that are important for anther development. However, little information is available regarding most genes active during anther development, including possible relationships between these genes and genetically defined regulators. In Arabidopsis, two previously isolated male-sterile mutants display dramatically altered anther cell differentiation patterns. The sporocyteless (spl)/nozzle (nzz) mutant is defective in the differentiation of primary sporogenous cells into microsporocytes, and does not properly form the anther wall. The excess microsporocytes1 (ems1)/extrasporogenous cells (exs) mutants produce excess microsporocytes at the expense of the tapetum. To gain additional insights into microsporocyte and tapetum differentiation and to uncover potential genetic interactions, expression profiles were compared between wild-type anthers (stage 4-6) and those of the spl or ems1 mutants. A total of 1954 genes were found to be differentially expressed in the ems1 and/or spl anthers, and these were grouped into 14 co-expression clusters. The presence of genes with known and predicted functions in specific clusters suggests potential functions for other genes in the same cluster. To obtain clues about possible co-regulation within co-expression clusters, we searched for shared cis-regulatory motifs in putative promoter regions. Our analyses were combined with data from previous studies to develop a model of the anther gene regulatory network. This model includes hypotheses that can be tested experimentally to gain further understanding of the mechanisms controlling anther development.     

Dogs and Disease Threats to Giant Pandas in China

The potential threat of domestic dogs to wildlife habitat in China is not widely recognized, despite their large population, lack of regulations regarding their control, and threat they pose to native species. In a case study in 2017, we surveyed villages surrounding Liziping Nature Reserve, the primary site for the release of captive-born giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) into the wild. We conducted surveys of dog owners to assess the population size, demographics, free-roaming status, and vaccination and sterilization history of their dogs. We collected blood and fecal samples to assess the prevalence of viral and parasite disease threats. At least 370 owned dogs lived near the core giant panda habitat; 64% were free-roaming, 21% had positive antibody titers for ≥1 of the 4 viruses we tested (canine distemper, parvovirus, rotavirus, rabies), and 67% were positive for gastrointestinal parasites. The high proportion of free-roaming dogs, uninhibited access to the reserve, and high prevalence of infectious diseases indicate that dogs pose a serious threat to wildlife within Liziping. The extent of this threat throughout the giant panda nature reserve network is unknown and should be assessed. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.     

Association between CYP1A1 Ile462Val Variation and Acute Leukemia Risk: Meta-Analyses Including 2164 Cases and 4160 Controls

Background

Previously, CYP1A1 Ile462Val polymorphism has been indicated to be a risk factor for several malignancies. Increasing reports have focused on the association of CYP1A1 Ile462Val polymorphisms with susceptibility to acute leukemia and have generated controversial results. The goal of the present study was to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship.

Methods

Relevant literature has been rigorously searched and screened. Eligible studies were identified for the period up to Apr 2012. Meta-analyses evaluating the association of CYP1A1 Ile462Val variation with acute leukemia were carried out. Subgroup analyses on ethnicity, clinical types and source of controls were further performed.

Results

A total of thirteen publications including fourteen case-control studies with 2164 cases and 4160 controls were selected for analysis. The overall data indicated a significant association of CYP1A1 Ile462Val polymorphism with acute leukemia risk (Val/Val vs Ile/Ile OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.11–1.98; dominant model: OR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.05–1.51; recessive model: OR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.04–1.83). In subgroup analysis on ethnicity, increased risk was shown among mixed ethnicities (Val/Val vs Ile/Ile: OR = 2.36; 95% CI = 1.46–3.82; dominant model: OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.01–1.86; recessive model: OR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.37–3.53) but not Asians or Caucasians. In subgroup analysis on clinical types, increased risk was observed in the acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) subgroup (Val/Val vs Ile/Ile: OR = 2.06; 95% CI = 1.42–3.01; recessive model: OR = 1.91; 95% CI = 1.32–2.76) but not in the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) subgroup.

Conclusion

The results of the present study suggest that CYP1A1 Ile462Val polymorphism might be a low-penetrant risk factor for acute leukemia. Subgroup analyses suggest that homozygous Val/Val alleles might modify the susceptibility to ALL.     

内蒙古白绒山羊VEGF164基因cDNA克隆及组织表达特异性分析

旨在克隆内蒙古白绒山羊血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF164)基因并分析其基本表达模式。采用RT-PCR技术克隆基因,将得到的基因cDNA序列及其编码的氨基酸序列进行生物信息学分析。利用半定量RT-PCR方法进行组织表达检测。获得了内蒙古白绒山羊VEGF164基因编码区cDNA全长序列,扩增片段全长573 bp,包含了完整的ORF,编码190个氨基酸残基。核苷酸序列与绵羊的VEGF164(EU857623.1)基因同源性为99%,相应的氨基酸序列同源性为99%。SMART程序分析表明,ORF编码的蛋白质具有信号肽序列及血小板衍生和血管内皮生长因子家族(PDGF,VEGF)结构域。Psite程序分析表明,有1个蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点,4个酪蛋白激酶磷酸化位点。ProtComp Version 9.0程序分析将其定位于细胞外。RT-PCR检测表明,VEGF164基因在绒山羊脑、心脏、睾丸、胰腺、脾、肾和肺组织中均有表达。     

Comparison of type I error for multiple test corrections in large single-nucleotide polymorphism studies using principal components versus haplotype blocking algorithms

Although permutation testing has been the gold standard for assessing significance levels in studies using multiple markers, it is time-consuming. A Bonferroni correction to the nominal p-value that uses the underlying pair-wise linkage disequilibrium (LD) structure among the markers to determine the number of effectively independent tests has recently been proposed. We propose using the number of independent LD blocks plus the number of independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms for correction. Using the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism LD data for chromosome 21, we simulated 1,000 replicates of parent-child trio data under the null hypothesis with two levels of LD: moderate and high. Assuming haplotype blocks were independent, we calculated the number of independent statistical tests using 3 haplotype blocking algorithms. We then compared the type I error rates using a principal components-based method, the three blocking methods, a traditional Bonferroni correction, and the unadjusted p-values obtained from FBAT. Under high LD conditions, the PC method and one of the blocking methods were slightly conservative, whereas the 2 other blocking methods exceeded the target type I error rate. Under conditions of moderate LD, we show that the blocking algorithm corrections are closest to the desired type I error, although still slightly conservative, with the principal components-based method being almost as conservative as the traditional Bonferroni correction.     

掌纹信息系统的构建

计算机的发展对医学图象处理有着巨大的推动作用。构建掌纹数据库系统对于推广和普及掌纹图像的应用有着重大意义。本文讲述了构建掌纹信息系统的基本思路和过程,包括当今流行的软硬件平台及理想的开发工具。     

基于胁迫梯度假说和互惠理论的海三棱藨草种群恢复技术

滨海湿地生态修复已成为阻止海岸带生态系统退化、保护生物多样性以及提供生态服务的关键措施。以长江口原生盐沼植物海三棱藨草(Scirpus mariqueter)为研究对象,选取崇明东滩新生滩涂湿地为研究区域,通过沿潮滩高程梯度的海三棱藨草植株斑块的移植实验,探究胁迫梯度假说和互惠理论(即种内的正相互作用)对长江口海三棱藨草种群恢复的指导意义。研究结果显示:(1)在一定的胁迫梯度范围内(潮滩高程2.0 m以上),增大种植斑块可以促进海三棱藨草的种内正相互作用,显著提高种植斑块的存活率和植株密度(P0.05);(2)潮滩水文动力沉积条件与潮滩高程梯度密切相关(P0.05),水文动力沉积作用对海三棱藨草定居和生长的胁迫随高程梯度下降而增强。潮滩高程2.0 m以下处强烈的水文动力条件干扰限制了生物-物理因素的正反馈作用。滨海湿地盐沼植被修复工作的成功率可以通过改进种植方式,增强种内的正相互作用得到极大的提高。研究可为开展大规模滨海湿地盐沼植被修复工程和提高生态修复效率提供科学依据和技术支持。