Consistency between traditional Chinese medicine constitution-based classification and genetic classification

Background:We studied the consistency between two classification systems for categorizing patients:traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution-based methods,versus genetic clustering.Genetic classification in constitutional identification was also evaluated.Methods:A TCM physician evaluated the constitution of each patient,according to four examinations(inspection,auscultation-olfaction,interrogation,and palpation).Those who met the criteria for Yang-deficient,Yin-deficient,and balanced constitutions were enrolled in the study.Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the participants,and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated from the samples within 2 hours.Total RNA extraction from the white blood cells was performed;and an Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus2.0 array was used to determine the peripheral blood gene expression profiles.The samples were classified using a support vector machine genetic classifier,and the“leave-one-out”method was used for validation.Results:The global gene expression profiles of 32 samples were grouped into three categories,and the samples in each of the gene categories corresponded with the three constitution categories.The three constitution types were distinguished using the genetic classifier with 165 genes.The accuracy of the prediction classification was greater than 95%using mathematical method.Conclusions:Participants with Yin-deficient,Yang-deficient,and balanced constitutions have varying physical characteristics and gene expression patterns.Additionally,the results from TCM constitution classification matched those obtained by genetic classification.Finally,our preliminary gene classifier distinguishes among Yin-deficient,Yang-deficient,and balanced constitutions,and provides a methodological basis for identifying the different constitutions.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of Aux/IAA gene family in strawberry(Fragaria vesca)

Auxin signaling and its components(Auxin/Indole-3-Acetic Acid(Aux/IAA))are critical for plant growth and development.Here,we performed a genome-wide annotation and identified twenty-one Aux/IAA genes in strawberry(Fragaria vesca).Most FveIAAs were located on chromosomes 1,2,4,5,and 6,while no FveIAAs were found in chromosomes 3 and 7.Phylogenetic analysis divided these genes into nine subfamilies.Most FveIAAs contained the DNA-binding and Aux/IAA domains,as well as motifs I-IV.There were 2-6 exons in the FveIAA genes based on the gene structure analysis.Also,we found that four pairs of FveIAA genes underwent segment duplications.Moreover,four pairs of orthologous genes were observed between strawberry and Arabidopsis.Cis-element analysis in the promoter region indicated that FveIAAs may be involved in light,phytohormones,stress responses,and growth processes.Prediction of protein-protein interaction revealed that 17 of 21 FveIAA proteins were involved in the auxin-related signaling pathways.Additionally,FveIAAs showed tissue-specific expression and responded to IAA treatment.Thus,this systematic annotation of the FveIAA family would provide a fundamental basis for further functional and evolutionary analysis and to understanding the role of FveIAAs in strawberry growth and development.

Insulin resistance and occurrence and prognosis of ischemic stroke A non-randomized concurrent control and intra-group comparison

BACKGROUND： Clinical evidence has demonstrated that insulin resistance might be an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke, which has not been recognized. At present, insulin resistance has been proven to be an independent risk factor for coronary arteriosclerotic heart disease. However, the relationship between the onset and prognosis of ischemic stroke remains unclear. OBJECTIVE： This study was designed to analyze the relationship between insulin resistance and ischemic stroke and the correlation between insulin resistance and stroke risk factor, and to investigate the relationship between insulin resistance and ischemic stroke prognosis as well as whether insulin resistance is an independent prognostic factor. DESIGN： A non-randomized concurrent control experiment. SETTING： Department of Geriatric Disease, Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 106 inpatients with ischemic stroke of the cervical internal carotid artery, who had suffered from the disease within the previous 72 hours, were admitted to the Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College from March to December in 2005 and, recruited for the present study. All 106 inpatients corresponded to the diagnostic criteria of ischemic stroke, formulated at the Fourth National Cerebrovascular Disease Conference in 1995, and were confirmed as having had an ischemic stroke by CT/MRI examinations. The patient group consisted of 54 males and 52 females. An additional 50 healthy individuals, who received health examinations simultaneously, were included as controls. Among the control subjects, there were 26 males and 24 females. Informed consent for laboratory measurements was obtained from all subjects; this study was approved by the Hospital Ethics Committee. METHODS： Following admission, all subjects were inquired of age, gender, previous history, blood pressure, body temperature, admission time, and smoking habits. Meanwhile, they were scored on clinical neurological function deficits. At 24 hours after admission, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were measured under the fasting condition. The control subjects were subjected to the same examinations and evaluation upon admission. In the two groups, insulin resistance degree was evaluated by the insulin sensitivity index （ISI）. According to the ISI, patients were assigned into severe and mild insulin resistance subgroups. The insulin resistance degree and its correlations to stroke risk factors and stroke prognosis were analyzed separately by t-test, linear correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Comparisons of fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, ISI, blood pressure, and blood lipid level between the two groups; comparisons of neurological function deficit scores, daily living activity scores and complication incidence between the severe and mild insulin resistance patients at 4 weeks after onset. RESULTS： All 106 patients and 50 healthy subjects were included in the final analysis. On admission, in the patient group, the blood glucose and insulin levels were significantly higher, while the ISI was significantly lower, compared with the control group （t = 10.38-12.29, P 〈 0.05）; At 4 weeks after admission, in the patient group, blood glucose level was decreased, but there was no significant difference compared with the control group （P 〉 0.05）, insulin level was decreased, but it was significantly higher compared with the control group （t = 6.46, P 〈 0.05）, and ISI was increased, but it was significantly lower compared with the control group （t = 66, P 〈 0.05）. On admission and at 4 weeks after admission, ISI was negatively correlated with triglyceride level （r = -0.494, -0.459, P 〈 0.05） and positively correlated to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level （r = 0.448, 0.310, P 〈 0.05）; however, it was not correlated with total cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels （P 〉 0.05）. In the severe insulin resistance patients, clinical neurological function deficit scores and complication incidence were significantly higher, while daily living activity scores were significantly lower, compared with the mild insulin resistance patients （t = 5.352 9, 4.260 4, 0.070 6, P 〈 0.05）. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that ISI was finally excluded as an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSION： Ischemic stroke patients presented with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance was correlated with conventional risk factors for stroke, including hypertension and lipid metabolism disorder. Insulin resistance was correlated with the prognosis of acute cerebral infarction patients, but it was not an independent predictive factor.

Spatially Resolved Properties of the GW170817 Host Galaxy

GW170817 is the unique gravitational-wave(GW)event associated with the electromagnetic(EM)counterpart GRB 170817A.NGC 4993 is identified as the host galaxy of GW170817/GRB 170817A.In this paper,we focus on the spatially resolved properties of NGC 4993.We present the photometric results from the comprehensive data analysis of the high spatial-resolution images in the different optical bands.The morphological analysis reveals that NGC 4993 is a typical early-type galaxy without significant remnants of a major galaxy merger.The spatially resolved stellar population properties of NGC 4993 suggest that the galaxy center has passive evolution with the outskirt formed by gas accretion.We derive the merging rate of the compact object per galaxy by a co-evolution scenario of a supermassive black hole and its host galaxy.If the galaxy formation is at redshift 1.0,the merging rate per galaxy is from 3.2×10^(-4)to 7.7×10^(-5)within the merging decay time from 1.0 to 5.0 Gyr.The results provide vital information for ongoing GW EM counterpart detections.The Hubble space telescope data analysis presented in this paper can be also applied to Chinese Space Station Telescope research in the future.

Introduction Performance and Application Evaluation of Leafy Ornamental Vegetables in Kunming City

[Objectives]This study was conducted to enrich the plant resource of ornamental vegetables in Kunming. [Methods]15 leafy vegetables were selected as test materials in this study. This study investigated the biological characteristics of the 15 ornamental vegetables by introduction trial and grey correlation analysis. In addition,we discussed the application of ornamental vegetables in urban agriculture. [Results]The grey correlation values of 11 ornamental vegetables were greater than 0. 6. The grey correlation values of other four ornamental vegetables were less than 0. 5. Among them,the grey correlation of Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla L. was 0. 94,which have the highest appreciation evaluation. The second appreciation evaluation belonged to rainbow leafy Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla L. with grey correlation of 0. 88. [Conclusions] In short,there are nine ornamental vegetables could be applied in the urban agriculture of Kunming,and there are six ornamental vegetables must be further investigated by cultivation experiment,to understand their cultivation characteristics and key points of management.

铷蒸气四波混频产生蓝紫光激光研究

为了研究碱金属铷蒸气激光器中新的波长输出情况及其可能的应用,在铷原子系统中通过52S1/2→62D5/2和52S1/2→62D3/2的双光子激发和四波混频过程产生358.7 nm、359.1 nm、420.3 nm和421.7 nm四种波长的激光输出,得出了62D5/2和62D3/2能级的最佳共振位置以及共振线宽,研究了产生的四波混频激光信号强度随体系温度和泵浦光单脉冲能量的变化情况,发现了当体系温度高于185℃时62D5/2→62P1/2的反常跃迁情况并给出了初步解释。实验结果表明,这种通过铷蒸气四波混频产生蓝紫激光的技术可以为海洋资源探测、高密度信息存储及水下激光通信等领域提供一种新的激光光源。

Pathogen-associated T follicular helper cell plasticity is critical in anti-viral immunity

T follicular helper(Tfh)cells are critical in providing help for B cells in the germinal center reaction.Tfh cell plasticity,especially with regard to their expression of effector Th cytokines,has been described,but lacks in-depth analysis with genetic approaches.In this study,we systemically compared transcriptomic profiles of Tfh cells derived from various types of immune responses and found gene clusters corresponding to effector Th cells were differentially induced in response to pathogens or immune responses.Of special interest,a subset of Tfh cells producing IFN-γwas generated in an influenza virus infection,partially dependent on the innate cytokine IL-12.Lineage-tracing mouse model revealed unique developmental regulation of IFN-γ~+Tfh cells,while selective ablation of these cells impaired the induction of Ig G2c~+germinal center B cells and the control of influenza infection.These results indicate that pathogen-associated Tfh cell plasticity is necessary for host immunity,which has implications in vaccine design.