Genetic screening of liver cancer:State of the art

Liver cancer,primarily hepatocellular carcinoma,remains a global health challenge with rising incidence and limited therapeutic options.Genetic factors play a pivotal role in the development and progression of liver cancer.This state-of-the-art paper provides a comprehensive review of the current landscape of genetic screening strategies for liver cancer.We discuss the genetic underpinnings of liver cancer,emphasizing the critical role of risk-associated genetic variants,somatic mutations,and epigenetic alterations.We also explore the intricate interplay between environmental factors and genetics,highlighting how genetic screening can aid in risk stratification and early detection via using liquid biopsy,and advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies.By synthesizing the latest research findings,we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art genetic screening methods for liver cancer,shedding light on their potential to revolutionize early detection,risk assessment,and targeted therapies in the fight against this devastating disease.

Genetic pathways in cerebral palsy:a review of the implications for precision diagnosis and understanding disease mechanisms

Ce rebral palsy is a diagnostic term utilized to describe a group of permanent disorders affecting movement and posture.Patients with cerebral palsy are often only capable of limited activity,resulting from non-progressive disturbances in the fetal or neonatal brain.These disturbances severely impact the child’s daily life and impose a substantial economic burden on the family.Although cerebral palsy encompasses various brain injuries leading to similar clinical outcomes,the unde rstanding of its etiological pathways remains incomplete owing to its complexity and heterogeneity.This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the genetic factors influencing cerebral palsy development.It is now widely acknowledged that genetic mutations and alterations play a pivotal role in cerebral palsy development,which can be further influenced by environmental fa ctors.Des pite continuous research endeavors,the underlying fa ctors contributing to cerebral palsy remain are still elusive.However,significant progress has been made in genetic research that has markedly enhanced our comprehension of the genetic factors underlying cerebral palsy development.Moreove r,these genetic factors have been categorized based on the identified gene mutations in patients through clinical genotyping,including thrombosis,angiogenesis,mitochondrial and oxidative phosphorylation function,neuronal migration,and cellular autophagy.Furthermore,exploring targeted genotypes holds potential for precision treatment.In conclusion,advancements in genetic research have substantially improved our understanding of the genetic causes underlying cerebral palsy.These breakthroughs have the potential to pave the way for new treatments and therapies,consequently shaping the future of cerebral palsy research and its clinical management.The investigation of cerebral palsy genetics holds the potential to significantly advance treatments and management strategies.By elucidating the underlying cellular mechanisms,we can develop to rgeted interventions to optimize outcomes.A continued collaboration between researchers and clinicians is imperative to comprehensively unravel the intricate genetic etiology of cerebral palsy.

An efficient method for constructing a random insertional mutant library for forward genetics in Nannochloropsis oceanica

Insertional mutation,phenotypic evaluation,and mutated gene cloning are widely used to clone genes from scratch.Exogenous genes can be integrated into the genome during non-homologous end joining(NHEJ)of the double-strand breaks of DNA,causing insertional mutation.The random insertional mutant library constructed using this method has become a method of forward genetics for gene cloning.However,the establishment of a random insertional mutant library requires a high transformation efficiency of exogenous genes.Many microalgal species show a low transformation efficiency,making constructing random insertional mutant libraries difficult.In this study,we established a highly efficient transformation method for constructing a random insertional mutant library of Nannochloropsis oceanica,and tentatively tried to isolate its genes to prove the feasibility of the method.A gene that may control the growth rate and cell size was identified.This method will facilitate the genetic studies of N.oceanica,which should also be a reference for other microalgal species.

Genetic Variations and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease:Field Synopsis,Systematic Meta-Analysis,and Epidemiological Evidence

Objective To systematically summarize the published literature on the genetic variants associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods Literature from Web of Science,PubMed,and Embase between January 1980 and September 2022 was systematically searched.Meta-analyses of the genetic variants were conducted using at least five data sources.The epidemiologic credibility of the significant associations was graded using the Venice criteria.Results Based on literature screening,399 eligible studies were included,comprising 381 candidate gene association,16 genome-wide association,and 2 whole-exome sequencing studies.We identified 465 genetic variants in 173 genes in candidate gene association studies,and 25 genetic variants in 17 genes were included in the meta-analysis.The meta-analysis identified 11 variants in 10 genes that were significantly associated with NAFLD,with cumulative epidemiological evidence of an association graded as strong for two variants in two genes(HFE,TNF),moderate for four variants in three genes(TM6SF2,GCKR,and ADIPOQ),and weak for five variants in five genes(MBOAT7,PEMT,PNPLA3,LEPR,and MTHFR).Conclusion This study identified six variants in five genes that had moderate to strong evidence of an association with NAFLD,which may help understand the genetic architecture of NAFLD risk.

Genetic variability and trait association analysis in linseed(Linum usitatissimum L.)for yield and related traits

Diversity information mining about a crop for different attributes is an essential step for effective breeding programs.The present investigation evaluates the quantum of genetic variability and determines the relationship among the important agro-economic traits based on two years of phenotypic data of 210 accessions of linseed.The traits,capsule weight per plant,capsule per plant,husk weight per plant,and seed weight per plant exhibited comparatively higher genetic coefficient of variation(GCV)and phenotypic coefficient of variation(PCV).In contrast,oil content and seed per capsule exhibited a lower value.The high magnitude of broad sense heritability was observed for all traits except seeds per capsule and husk weight per plant.The trait,capsules per plant,plant height,and days to 50%flowering showed high genetic advance coupled with high heritability.Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped 210 accessions into six distinct clusters.Out of 210,144(68.57%)accessions were grouped into three clusters(I,II,and III),in which cluster-III was the largest,containing 64 accessions followed by cluster II and cluster-I.The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between clusters-I and V(127.85),while the lowest was between clusters-II and IV(27.09).The positive correlation of capsule weight per plant with the seed weight per plant and a negative correlation with the days to 50%flowering indicates that high yielding linseed varieties with early flowering/maturity could be developed through direct and indirect selection.Further,seed yield and oil content could be enhanced together as indicated by ghe positive association among these two important traits.In this study,high yielding accessions with moderate to high oil content such as GP36,GP31,GP14,GP54,GP26,GP24,GP34,GP21,GP37 and GP27 and early flowering(less than 70 days)accessions such as GP2,GP26,GP27,CG33,CG44,CG42,CG132,and CG31 identified as potential genetic materials that could be exploited for developing early maturing varieties with high yield.In addition,information’s on various genetic parameters will help breeders to devise suitable breeding methodology for linseed genetic improvement for targeted traits.

LociScan,a tool for screening genetic marker combinations for plant variety discrimination

To reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of plant genetic marker fingerprinting for variety discrimination,it is desirable to identify the optimal marker combinations.We describe a marker combination screening model based on the genetic algorithm(GA)and implemented in a software tool,Loci Scan.Ratio-based variety discrimination power provided the largest optimization space among multiple fitness functions.Among GA parameters,an increase in population size and generation number enlarged optimization depth but also calculation workload.Exhaustive algorithm afforded the same optimization depth as GA but vastly increased calculation time.In comparison with two other software tools,Loci Scan accommodated missing data,reduced calculation time,and offered more fitness functions.In large datasets,the sample size of training data exerted the strongest influence on calculation time,whereas the marker size of training data showed no effect,and target marker number had limited effect on analysis speed.

Age-specific heterogeneity of genetic susceptibility to cardiovascular disease might have opposite outcomes depending on the presence of prediabetes

Examining age-specific heterogeneity of susceptibility to cardiovascular disease is also essential in individuals without prediabetes to determine its relative size and direction compared to those with prediabetes.Of particular interest,age-specific heterogeneity in genetic susceptibility may exhibit opposite directions depending on the presence or absence of prediabetes.

Temperature is a cryptic factor shaping the geographical pattern of genetic variation in Ceratophyllum demersum across a subtropical freshwater lake

Macrophyte habitats exhibit remarkable heterogeneity,encompassing the spatial variation of abiotic and biotic components such as changes in water conditions and weather as well as anthropogenic stressors.Environmental factors are thought to be important drivers shaping the genetic and epigenetic variation of aquatic plants.However,the links among genetic diversity,epigenetic variation,and environmental variables remain largely unclear,especially for clonal aquatic plants.Here,we performed population genetic and epigenetic analyses in conjunction with habitat discrimination to elucidate the environmental factors driving intraspecies genetic and epigenetic variation in hornwort(Ceratophyllum demersum)in a subtropical lake.Environmental factors were highly correlated with the genetic and epigenetic variation of C.demersum,with temperature being a key driver of the genetic variation.Lower temperature was detected to be correlated with greater genetic and epigenetic variation.Genetic and epigenetic variation were positively driven by water temperature,but were negatively affected by ambient air temperature.These findings indicate that the genetic and epigenetic variation of this clonal aquatic herb is not related to the geographic feature but is instead driven by environmental conditions,and demonstrate the effects of temperature on local genetic and epigenetic variation in aquatic systems.

Implications of genetic testing and informed consent before and after genetic testing in individuals with cancer

Recent advancements in next generation sequencing have allowed for genetic information become more readily available in the clinical setting for those affected by cancer and by treating clinicians.Given the lack of access to geneticists,medical oncologists and other treating physicians have begun ordering and interpreting genetic tests for individuals with cancer through the process of"mainstreaming".While this process has allowed for quicker access to genetic tests,the process of"mainstreaming"has also brought several challenges including the dissemination of variants of unknown significance results,ordering of appropriate tests,and accurate interpretation of genetic results with appropriate followup testing and interventions.In this editorial,we seek to explore the process of informed consent of individuals before obtaining genetic testing and offer potential solutions to optimize the informed consent process including categorization of results as well as a layered consent model.

Epidemiological Surveillance: Genetic Diversity of Rotavirus Group A in the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong, China in 2019

Objective This study aimed to understand the epidemic status and phylogenetic relationships of rotavirus group A(RVA)in the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong Province,China.Methods This study included individuals aged 28 days–85 years.A total of 706 stool samples from patients with acute gastroenteritis collected between January 2019 and January 2020 were analyzed for 17 causative pathogens,including RVA,using a Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel,followed by genotyping,virus isolation,and complete sequencing to assess the genetic diversity of RVA.Results The overall RVA infection rate was 14.59%(103/706),with an irregular epidemiological pattern.The proportion of co-infection with RVA and other pathogens was 39.81%(41/103).Acute gastroenteritis is highly prevalent in young children aged 0–1 year,and RVA is the key pathogen circulating in patients 6–10 months of age with diarrhea.G9P[8](58.25%,60/103)was found to be the predominant genotype in the RVA strains,and the 41 RVA-positive strains that were successfully sequenced belonged to three different RVA genotypes in the phylogenetic analysis.Recombination analysis showed that gene reassortment events,selection pressure,codon usage bias,gene polymorphism,and post-translational modifications(PTMs)occurred in the G9P[8]and G3P[8]strains.Conclusion This study provides molecular evidence of RVA prevalence in the Pearl River Delta region of China,further enriching the existing information on its genetics and evolutionary characteristics and suggesting the emergence of genetic diversity.Strengthening the surveillance of genotypic changes and gene reassortment in RVA strains is essential for further research and a better understanding of strain variations for further vaccine development.

Decoding the genetic landscape of autism:A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder(ASD)is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by heterogeneous symptoms and genetic underpinnings.Recent advancements in genetic and epigenetic research have provided insights into the intricate mechanisms contributing to ASD,influencing both diagnosis and therapeutic strategies.AIM To explore the genetic architecture of ASD,elucidate mechanistic insights into genetic mutations,and examine gene-environment interactions.METHODS A comprehensive systematic review was conducted,integrating findings from studies on genetic variations,epigenetic mechanisms(such as DNA methylation and histone modifications),and emerging technologies[including Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats(CRISPR)-Cas9 and single-cell RNA sequencing].Relevant articles were identified through systematic searches of databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar.RESULTS Genetic studies have identified numerous risk genes and mutations associated with ASD,yet many cases remain unexplained by known factors,suggesting undiscovered genetic components.Mechanistic insights into how these genetic mutations impact neural development and brain connectivity are still evolving.Epigenetic modifications,particularly DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs,also play significant roles in ASD pathogenesis.Emerging technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 and advanced bioinformatics are advancing our understanding by enabling precise genetic editing and analysis of complex genomic data.CONCLUSION Continued research into the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of ASD is crucial for developing personalized and effective treatments.Collaborative efforts integrating multidisciplinary expertise and international collaborations are essential to address the complexity of ASD and translate genetic discoveries into clinical practice.Addressing unresolved questions and ethical considerations surrounding genetic research will pave the way for improved diagnostic tools and targeted therapies,ultimately enhancing outcomes for individuals affected by ASD.

Winter wheat yield improvement by genetic gain across different provinces in China

The replacement of winter wheat varieties has contributed significantly to yield improvement worldwide,with remarkable progress in China.Drawing on two sets of data,production yield from the National Bureau of Statistics of China and experimental yield from literature,this study aims to(1)illustrate the increasing patterns of production yield among different provinces from 1978 to 2018 in China,(2)explore the genetic gain in yield and yield relevant traits through the variety replacement based on experimental yield from 1937 to 2016 in China,and(3)compare the yield gap between experimental yield and production yield.The results show that both the production and experimental yields significantly increased along with the variety replacement.The national annual yield increase ratio for the production yield was 1.67%from 1978 to 2018,varying from 0.96%in Sichuan Province to 2.78%in Hebei Province;such ratio for the experimental yield was 1.13%from 1937 to 2016.The yield gap between experimental and production yields decreased from the 1970s to the 2010s.This study reveals significant increases in some yield components consequent to variety replacement,including thousand-grain weight,kernel number per spike,and grain number per square meter;however,no change is shown in spike number per square meter.The biomass and harvest index consistently and significantly increased,whereas the plant height decreased significantly.

Genetic variants in C1GALT1 are associated with gastric cancer risk by influencing immune infiltration

Core 1 synthase glycoprotein-N-acetylgalactosamine 3-β-galactosyltransferase 1(C1GALT1)is known to play a critical role in the development of gastric cancer,but few studies have elucidated associations between genetic variants in C1GALT1 and gastric cancer risk.By using the genome-wide association study data from the database of Genotype and Phenotype(dbGAP),we evaluated such associations with a multivariable logistic regression model and identified that the rs35999583 G>C in C1GALT1 was associated with gastric cancer risk(odds ratio,0.83;95% confidence interval[CI],0.75-0.92;P=3.95×10^(-4)).C1GALT1 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in gastric tumor tissues than in normal tissues,and gastric cancer patients with higher C1GALT1 mRNA levels had worse overall survival rates(hazards ratio,1.33;95%CI,1.05-1.68;P_(log-rank)=1.90×10^(-2)).Furthermore,we found that C1GALT1 copy number differed in various immune cells and that C1GALT1 mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with the infiltrating levels of CD4^(+)T cells and macrophages.These results suggest that genetic variants of C1GALT1 may play an important role in gastric cancer risk and provide a new insight for C1GALT1 into a promising predictor of gastric cancer susceptibility and immune status.

Genetically modified pigs:Emerging animal models for hereditary hearing loss

Hereditary hearing loss(HHL),a genetic disorder that impairs auditory function,significantly affects quality of life and incurs substantial economic losses for society.To investigate the underlying causes of HHL and evaluate therapeutic outcomes,appropriate animal models are necessary.Pigs have been extensively used as valuable large animal models in biomedical research.In this review,we highlight the advantages of pig models in terms of ear anatomy,inner ear morphology,and electrophysiological characteristics,as well as recent advancements in the development of distinct genetically modified porcine models of hearing loss.Additionally,we discuss the prospects,challenges,and recommendations regarding the use pig models in HHL research.Overall,this review provides insights and perspectives for future studies on HHL using porcine models.

Conservation genomic investigation of an endangered conifer,Thuja sutchuenensis,reveals low genetic diversity but also low genetic load

Endangered species generally have small populations with low genetic diversity and a high genetic load.Thuja sutchuenensis is an endangered conifer endemic to southwestern China.It was once considered extinct in the wild,but in 1999 was rediscovered.However,little is known about its genetic load.We collected 67 individuals from five wild,isolated T.sutchuenensis populations,and used 636,151 SNPs to analyze the level of genetic diversity and genetic load in T.sutchuenensis to delineate the conservation units of T.sutchuenensis,based on whole transcriptome sequencing data,as well as target capture sequencing data.We found that populations of T.sutchuenensis could be divided into three groups.These groups had low levels genetic diversity and were moderately genetically differentiated.Our findings also indicate that T.sutchuenensis suffered two severe bottlenecks around the Last Glaciation Period and Last Glacial Maximum.Among Thuja species,T.sutchuenensis presented the lowest genetic load and hence might have purged deleterious mutations efficiently through purifying selection.However,distribution of fitness effects analysis indicated a high extinction risk for T.sutchuenensis.Multiple lines of evidence identified three management units for T.sutchuenensis.Although T.sutchuenensis possesses a low genetic load,low genetic diversity,suboptimal fitness,and anthropogenic pressures all present an extinction risk for this rare conifer.This might also hold true for many endangered plant species in the mountains all over the world.

Genetic algorithm assisted meta-atom design for high-performance metasurface optics

Metasurfaces,composed of planar arrays of intricately designed meta-atom structures,possess remarkable capabilities in controlling electromagnetic waves in various ways.A critical aspect of metasurface design involves selecting suitable meta-atoms to achieve target functionalities such as phase retardation,amplitude modulation,and polarization conversion.Conventional design processes often involve extensive parameter sweeping,a laborious and computationally intensive task heavily reliant on designer expertise and judgement.Here,we present an efficient genetic algorithm assisted meta-atom optimization method for high-performance metasurface optics,which is compatible to both single-and multiobjective device design tasks.We first employ the method for a single-objective design task and implement a high-efficiency Pancharatnam-Berry phase based metalens with an average focusing efficiency exceeding 80%in the visible spectrum.We then employ the method for a dual-objective metasurface design task and construct an efficient spin-multiplexed structural beam generator.The device is capable of generating zeroth-order and first-order Bessel beams respectively under right-handed and left-handed circular polarized illumination,with associated generation efficiencies surpassing 88%.Finally,we implement a wavelength and spin co-multiplexed four-channel metahologram capable of projecting two spin-multiplexed holographic images under each operational wavelength,with efficiencies over 50%.Our work offers a streamlined and easy-to-implement approach to meta-atom design and optimization,empowering designers to create diverse high-performance and multifunctional metasurface optics.

Genetic variation of circHIBADH enhances prostate cancer risk through regulating HNRNPA1-related RNA splicing

The current study aimed to investigate associations of circRNAs and related genetic variants with the risk of prostate cancer(PCa)as well as to elucidate biological mechanisms underlying the associations.We first compared expression levels of circRNAs between 25 paired PCa and adjacent normal tissues to identify riskassociated circRNAs by using the MiOncoCirc database.We then used logistic regression models to evaluate associations between genetic variants in candidate circRNAs and PCa risk among 4662 prostate cancer patients and 3114 healthy controls,and identified circHIBADH rs11973492 T>C as a significant risk-associated variant(odds ratio=1.20,95%confidence interval:1.08-1.34,P=7.06×10^(-4))in a dominant genetic model,which altered the secondary structure of the corresponding RNA chain.In the in silico analysis,we found that circHIBADH sponged and silenced 21 RNA-binding proteins(RBPs)enriched in the RNA splicing pathway,among which HNRNPA1 was identified and validated as a hub RBP using an external RNA-sequencing data as well as the in-house(four tissue samples)and publicly available single-cell transcriptomes.Additionally,we demonstrated that HNRNPA1 influenced hallmarks including MYC target,DNA repair,and E2F target signaling pathways,thereby promoting carcinogenesis.In conclusion,genetic variants in circHIBADH may act as sponges and inhibitors of RNA splicing-associated RBPs including HNRNPA1,playing an oncogenic role in PCa.

A dual-RPA based lateral flow strip for sensitive,on-site detection of CP4-EPSPS and Cry1Ab/Ac genes in genetically modified crops

Traditional transgenic detection methods require high test conditions and struggle to be both sensitive and efficient.In this study,a one-tube dual recombinase polymerase amplification(RPA)reaction system for CP4-EPSPS and Cry1Ab/Ac was proposed and combined with a lateral flow immunochromatographic assay,named“Dual-RPA-LFD”,to visualize the dual detection of genetically modified(GM)crops.In which,the herbicide tolerance gene CP4-EPSPS and the insect resistance gene Cry1Ab/Ac were selected as targets taking into account the current status of the most widespread application of insect resistance and herbicide tolerance traits and their stacked traits.Gradient diluted plasmids,transgenic standards,and actual samples were used as templates to conduct sensitivity,specificity,and practicality assays,respectively.The constructed method achieved the visual detection of plasmid at levels as low as 100 copies,demonstrating its high sensitivity.In addition,good applicability to transgenic samples was observed,with no cross-interference between two test lines and no influence from other genes.In conclusion,this strategy achieved the expected purpose of simultaneous detection of the two popular targets in GM crops within 20 min at 37°C in a rapid,equipmentfree field manner,providing a new alternative for rapid screening for transgenic assays in the field.

Genetic Diversity of Jute Mallow (Corchorus spp.) Accessions Based on ISSR Markers

Jute mallow is a nutritious leafy vegetable. The leaves are rich in proteins, vitamins and essential amino acids. Molecular characterization of Jute mallow with focus on improvement of leaf yield is scarcely reported. In the present study, inter sequence simple repeats (ISSR) molecular markers were employed to assess genetic diversity and relationships of 83 accessions of Jute mallow from different parts of Africa and Asia conserved at the World Vegetable Center East and Southern Africa. A total of 89 bands were amplified by 8 ISSR primers. Number of polymorphic bands per primer ranged from 2 to 6 with an average of 2.75 bands per primer. Polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.390 to 0.760 with average of 0.53. Average Nei’s gene diversity (h) and Shannon’s information index (I) were 0.335 and 0.494 respectively. The highest pairwise genetic distance was 0.431 observed in a population from East Africa accessions. PC1 and PC2 axis explained 21.69% and 11.66% of the total variation respectively. UPGMA cluster analysis grouped the accessions into six main clusters at genetic similarity coefficient of 0.53 as standard value for classification. These results have important implications for jute mallow breeding and conservation.

Genetic Diversity in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) under Two Growing Conditions*

This study explores the use of genetic variability for advancing the genetic improvement of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp), particularly in response to insect infestation stress. Over a period spanning 2015 to 2017, forty accessions of cowpeas were evaluated to determine their variability under both insecticide spray and no insecticide spray conditions at the Teachings and Research Farms, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design in three replicates. The accessions were evaluated for plant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of days of 50% flowering, number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per plant, 100-seed weight, and seed yield. Data collected were subjected to principal component and single linkage cluster analyses. Principal axis I (PCA1) accounted for 39% and 35% under insecticide spray and no insecticide spray respectively to the total variation in the accessions. Plant height with a factor score of 0.38, leaf length (0.41), number of leaves (0.37), and 100-seed, weight (0.30) was related to PCAI under insecticide spray while leaf width (0.32). Pod length (0.37) and number of seeds/plant (0.38) were significant to PCA1 under no insecticide spray. Notably, accessions such as SAMPEA6, SAMPEA10, IFE-Brown, and IFE-BPE exhibited consistent performance across both conditions, while others displayed condition-specific attributes. For instance, NGB1063, NGB1152, and NGB1093 demonstrated distinct traits under insecticide spray, while NGB1146 and NGB1124 exhibited notable characteristics under no insecticide spray conditions. Therefore, identifying these forty accessions with desirable traits hold promise for future genetic improvement efforts of cowpea cultivation in Nigeria and beyond.