Association between polymorphism rs6983267 and gastric cancer risk in Chinese population

AIM: To explore the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 8q24 and gastric cancer risk. METHODS: A case-control investigation including 212 gastric cancer patients and 377 healthy controls was conducted. The genotypes of SNPs (rs6983267, rs7008482 and rs10808555) were examined and established through polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between SNPs and gastric cancer. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies of rs6983267 in gastric cancer patients were obviously different from those in the control (P = 0.005). GT genotype of rs6983267 was associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer compared with GG genotype (adjusted odds ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.28-3.14). Further stratified analysis indicated that rs6983267 GT genotype facilitated the risk of gastric cancer of non-cardiac and intestinal type (OR: 2.638, 95% CI: 1.464-4.753; OR: 1.916, 95% CI: 1.166-3.150, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates for the first time that rs6983267 is involved in susceptibility to gastric cancer, although further large-sample investigations are still needed.

Ecology detection of moderate thermophilic enrichment at Lau Basin hydrothermal vents

Culturable thermophilic microorganisms were enriched from samples collected from Lau Basin hydrothermal vents in artificial seawater medium at 45 ℃ and pH 7.0. Microbial diversities of the enriched communities were defined by performing a restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences with enzymes MspI and Hin6 I. A total of 14 phylotypes have been detected by the RFLP patterns identified for 16S rRNA clone libraries of the enrichment. Analysis of sequences showed that at least four bacterial divisions presented in the clones libraries. The phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the most dominant groups. The majority of the sequences included in this analysis affiliated with Gamma Proteobacteria （71%） and Bacillus （23%）. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that there were abundant rod and coceoidal forms encased in sulphur and sodium chloride precipitate. These results revealed that there were a diversity of moderate thermophilic bacterial populations thrived in Lau Basin hydrothermal vents that were previously not detected by either molecular retrieval or strain purification techniques.

Preliminary Analysis of Population Genetic Diversity of Cultivated Laminaria japonica Sporophyte via AFLP Technique

The amplified fragment length polymorphic DNA (AFLP) technique was adopted to estimate the population genetic polymorphism among 30 sporophytes of Laminaria japonica collected from a cultivating farm in Rongcheng,China.Three methods were used for genomic DNA extraction from Laminaria japonica sporophyte and only the products obtained using the improved genomic DNA extraction kit method proved qualified for AFLP analysis.The parameters of the method were optimized.Samples of forty milligrams and the cell lysis time of 120 min were suggested to replace the parameters recommended by the manufacturer.Thirty individuals of Laminaria japonica from the same cultivating site were investigated using one pair of selective primers.A total of 21 loci were obtained and 17 of them were polymorphic.The mean percent age of polymorphic loci of this population was 80.95%.The Nei's gene diversity (H) within this population was 0.3028 and the average Shannon's Information index (I) was 0.4498.A genetic distance matrix among different individuals was constructed as well.Through this study,an applicable AFLP genetic analysis working system for Laminaria japonica sporophyte was established.The results of this research also revealed a high level of genetic diversity within the studied population.

Viral Genotypes and Associated Risk Factors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in India

Objective This study aims to investigate the etiological relationship among hepatitis B virus （HBV）, hepatitis C virus （HCV）, and alcohol as risk factors in a cohort of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） patients from India. The clinical and biochemical profiles and tumor characteristics in the HCC cases were also evaluated. Methods A total of 357 consecutive cases of HCC fulfilling the diagnostic criteria from the Barcelona-2000 EASL conference were included in the study. The blood samples were evaluated for serological evidence of HBV and HCV infection, viral load, and genotypes using serological tests, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results The male/female ratio for the HCC cases was 5.87：1. Majority of the HCC patients （33.9%） were 50 to 59 years of age, with a mean age of 4±13.23 years. More than half the cases （60.8%） had underlying cirrhosis at presentation. Among the HCC patients, 68.9% were HBV related, 21.3% were HCV related, 18.8%, were alcoholic, and 18.2% were of cryptogenic origin. The presence of any marker positive for HBV increased the risk for developing HCC by almost 27 times [OR： 27.33; （12.87-60.0）]. An increased risk of 10.6 times was observed for HCC development for cases positive for ally HCV marker [OR： 10.55; （3.13-42.73）]. Heavy alcohol consumption along with HCV RNA positivity in cirrhotic patients was found to be a risk for developing HCC by 3 folds ]OR： 3.17; （0.37-70.71）]. Conclusions Patients of chronic HBV infection followed by chronic HCV infection were at higher risk of developing HCC in India. Chronic alcohol consumption was found to be a risk factor in cirrhotic cases only when it was associated with HCV RNA positivity. Most of the patients had a large tumor size （〉5 cm） with multiple liver nodules, indicating an advanced stage of the disease thus making curative therapies difficult.

Functional Variant of C-689T in the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ2 Promoter is Associated with Coronary Heart Disease in Chinese Nondiabetic Han People

Objective To investigate the association between the polymorphism of C-689T in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ2 （PPARγ2） promoter and coronary heart disease （CHD）. Methods This case-controlled study was conducted in nondiabetic Chinese Han people, which enrolled 455 patients with CHD （cases） and 693 subjects without CHD （controls）. Data of clinical indexes were collected, including height, body weight, waist circumstance, systolic blood pressure （SBP）, diastolic blood pressure （DBP）, smoking, drinking, physical activity, as well as body mass index （BMI）. Fasting blood glucose （FBG）, plasma total cholesterol （TC） and triglyceride （TG） levels were measured. Polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragments length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP） was used to determine the PPARγ2 promoter C-689→T substitution. The genotype distribution of PPARγ2 promoter C-689T, allelic frequency, clinical indexes, and laboratorial measurements were compared between the two groups. The effect of genotype on the risk of CHD was assessed using univariate and multivariate regression model. Results The genotype frequencies of CC, CT and TT in PPARγ2 promoter C-689T were 89.7%, 9.9% and 0.4% in the case group, and 93.1%, 6.6% and 0.3% in the control group, respectively （CC vs. CT＋TT, χ^2= 6.243, P=0.041）. Carriers of -689T allele （n=95） had significantly higher TC level than non-carriers （n=1053） （5.12±1.26 vs. 4.76±1.22 mmol/L, P=0.001）. Male carriers of -689T allele （n=51） were significantly higher in waist circumference, body weight, TC and TG than male non-carriers （n=656） （all P〈0.05）. In subjects whose BMI was over 25 kg/m2, carriers of -689T allele （n=82） had significantly higher levels of waist circumference, BMI, SBP and TC than non-carriers （n=231） （all p〈0.05）. The -689T allele was an independent risk factor for CHD （OR=1.668, 95%CI： 1.031-2.705, P=0.037） after adjusting for age, gender, waist circumference, body weight, BMI, smoking, physical activities, SBP, DBP, FBG, TC and TG level. Conclusion These data support the hypothesis that the -689T allele is associated with an increased risk of CHD, in Chinese Han people and correlates significantly with the profiles of CHD-related risk factors.

Characterization of clarithromycin resistance in Malaysian isolates of Helicobacter pylori

AIM： To characterize the types of mutations present in the 23S rRNA genes of Malaysian isolates of clarithromycin-resistant Helicobacter pylori （H pylorl~. METHODS： Clarithromycin susceptibility of H pylori isolates was determined by E test. Analyses for point mutations in the domain V of 23S rRNA genes in clarithromycin-resistant and -sensitive strains were performed by sequence analysis of amplified polymerase chain reaction products. Restriction fragment length polymorphism was performed using Bsa I and MboI enzymes to detect restriction sites that correspond to the mutations in the clarithromycin- resistant strains. RESULTS： Of 187 isolates from 120 patients, four were resistant to clarithromycin, while 183 were sensitive. The MIC of the resistant strains ranged from 1.5 to 24 pg/mL. Two isolates had an A2142G mutation and another two had A2143G mutations. A T2182C mutation was detected in two out of four clarithromycin-resistant isolates and in 13 of 14 clarithromycin-sensitive isolates. Restriction enzyme analyses with Bsa I and Mbo I were able to detect the mutations. CONCLUSION： Clarithromycin resistance is an uncommon occurrence among Malaysian isolates of Hpylori strains and the mutations A2142G and A2143G detected were associated with low-level resistance.

UGT1A1 predicts outcome in colorectal cancer treated with irinotecan and fluorouracil

AIM:To evaluate effects of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase1A1(UGT1A1) and thymidylate synthetase(TS) gene polymorphisms on irinotecan in metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC).METHODS:Two irinotecan-and fluorouracil-based regimens,FOLFIRI and IFL,were selected as second-line therapy for 138 Chinese mCRC patients.Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples before treatment.UGT1A1 and TS gene polymorphisms were determined by direct sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism,respectively.Gene polymorphisms of UGT1A1*28,UGT1A1*6 and promoter enhancer region of TS were analyzed.The relationship between genetic polymorphisms and clinical outcome,that is,response,toxicity and survival were assessed.Pharmacokinetic analyses were performed in a subgroup patients based on different UGT1A1 genotypes.Plasma concentration of irinotecan and its active metabolite SN-38 and inactive metabolite SN-38G were determined by high performance liquid chromatography.Differences in irinotecan and its metabolites between UGT1A1 gene variants were compared.RESULTS:One hundred and eight patients received the FOLFIRI regimen,29 the IFL regimen,and one irinotecan monotherapy.One hundred and thirty patients were eligible for toxicity and 111 for efficacy evaluation.One hundred and thirty-six patients were tested for UGT1A1*28 and *6 genotypes and 125 for promoter enhancer region of TS.Patients showed a higher frequency of wild-type UGT1A1*28(TA6/6) compared with a Caucasian population(69.9% vs 45.2%).No significant difference was found between response rates and UGT1A1 genotype,although wild-type showed lower response rates compared with other variants(17.9% vs 24.2% for UGT1A1*28,15.7% vs 26.8% for UGT1A1*6).When TS was considered,the subgroup with homozygous UGT1A1*28(TA7/7) and non-3RG genotypes showed the highest response rate(33.3%),while wild-type UGT1A1*28(TA6/6) with non-3RG only had a 13.6% response rate,but no significant difference was found.Logistic regression showed treatment duration was closely linked to clinical response.In toxicity comparison,UGT1A1*28 TA6/6 was associated with lower incidence of grade 2-4 diarrhea(27.8% vs 100%),and significantly reduced the risk of grade 4 neutropenia compared with TA7/7(7.8% vs 37.5%).Wild-type UGT1A1*6(G/G) tended to have a lower incidence of grade 3/4 diarrhea vs homozygous mutant(A/A) genotype(13.0% vs 40.0%).Taking UGT1A1 and TS genotypes together,lower incidence of grade 2-4 diarrhea was found in patients with non-3RG TS genotypes,when TA6/6 was compared with TA7/7(35.3% vs 100.0%).No significant association with time to progression(TTP) and overall survival(OS) was observed with either UGT1A1 or TS gene polymorphisms,although slightly longer TTP and OS were found with UGT1A1*28(TA6/6).Irinotecan PK was investigated in 34 patients,which showed high area under concentration curve(AUC) of irinotecan and SN-38,but low AUC ratio(SN-38G /SN-38) in those patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7.CONCLUSION:A distinct distribution pattern of UGT1A1 genotypes in Chinese patients might contribute to relatively low toxicity associated with irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil in mCRC patients.

Genetic Variation and Differentiation in Wide Ranging Populations of Razor Clam(Sinonovacula constricta) Inferred from AFLP Markers

The genetic variation and differentiation of the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta distributed along the coast of China were studied through amplified fragment length polymorphism(AFLP) analysis.Six primer combinations generated 193 fragments.The He values varied from 0.322 to 0.463 and the percentage of polymorphic loci ranged from 74.1% to 98.4%,which indicates a high level of genetic diversity.Cluster analysis by Nei's pairwise distance grouped all specimens by geographical origins.AMOVA consistently showed that genetic variation among populations was 8.71%,and most of the variation came from the genetic variation within populations(91.29%).Genetic differentiation among the six populations was moderate;pairwise FST ranged from 0.0282 to 0.1480,which indicated that S.constricta populations along the coast of China are genetically connected.Among all the six populations,the Beihai population is the mostly differentiated from the others,suggesting that Hainan Island and Leizhou Peninsula act as barriers to gene flow.All populations abide isolation by distance model as indicated by Mantel test,except for ZS(Zhoushan) and YQ(Yueqing) populations.Information obtained in this study will provide guidelines for conservation and fishery management of this species in the future.

Association between the Epidermal Growth Factor Gene and Intelligence in Major Depression Patients

Objective To study the association between the epidermal growth factor(EGF) gene and intelligence in patients with major depression.Methods Intelligence measurement using Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale(WAIS) was perfor-med on 120 unrelated patients with major depression and 46 control subjects.Blood was collected from all subjects for extraction of genomic DNA.Four single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in the EGF gene were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS).Results Mean scores of both score lang and score task,two subtests in WAIS,differed significantly between major depression patients and controls(P<0.0001).Quantitative trait analysis showed that the genetype of rs2250724 was closely associated with score lang and score task in major depression patients.The associations were still significant after 10 000 permutations.Conclusions Although preliminary,our results provide evidence for association between the EGF gene and intelligence in patients with major depression.Genetic variation in the EGF gene may increase the susceptibility of major depression.

Age, Growth and Distribution of the Antarctic Fish Pseudochaenichthys georgianus Based on Otolith Morphometry

The Ps. georgianus （Pseudochaenichthys georgianus） were sampled in the summer between 1979 and 2009 at South Georgia Island, and at South Shetland Island. The otoliths ofPs. georgianus contained microincrements similar to daily increments in the otoliths of fishes from temperate and tropical waters. The estimated age from microincrements was similar to that inferred from the body length distribution and otoliths mass： age （years） = 81.98 × Otolith Mass （g） - 0.483. Ps. georgianus like all Channichthyidae due to their adoption to cold water, attain rapidly large body in accordance with the parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth equation： L∞ （asymptotic length） = 66.1 cm; K （constant related to coefficient of catabolism） = 0.28; to （age of the fish at initial length） = 0.008 year; L0 （length of the fish at initial age） = 0.15 cm. That fast growth rate （despite the difference in hatching periods between regions at South Georgia Island, and at South Shetland Island） were not changed, confirming, that it is established to cold water by natural selection. Changes of the microincrements growth pattern are described that appear to be related to larval, hatching and metamorphosis, and have similar pattern to those ones previewed in C. aceratus （Chaenocephalus aceratus） and C. gunnarii （Champsocephalus gunnarii）. Larvaes and postlarvaes of that species have similar habitats during early life history, which is reflected in similar otoliths morphology. Width of their daily increments is： 0.0018-0.0028 mm for Ps. georgianus, 0.0015-0.0024 mm for C. gunnarii and 0.001-0.0016 mm for C. aceratus. The age and developments periods of South Georgia＇s icefish （common name and the abbreviation = SGI for Ps. georgianus as this species was found only there in the past） estimated from otolith was validated by their different geographical distribution depending on the currents and the presence of their food-krill in them. Postlarvae and early juvenile stages were concentrated at the south-western side of the island shelves deeper than 200 m, where currents are weaker in comparison to surface and where juvenes and small krill prevail. Older and mature fish, over 3 or 4 years old, were numerous on the north-eastern side of the islands shelves in regions of strong vortices that concentrate krill to high densities. As life in the currents needs greater ability to swimming as a large, mature and 4 years old fish had increased their ability to swim up to 4 times growing and developing from inshore larvae. During that, their otoliths become more flattened （up to 3 times） and elongated for better fulfil its functions in the higher swimming speed. However, similar species C. aceratus and C. gunnari have more flattened and elongated otoliths than Ps. georgianus and have larger geographical occurrence from Palmer Archipelago to Kerguelen. The least elongated means the highest otolith, which reflects the highest body of Ps. georgianus, which help this species to stay on the shelf during swimming. High body gives less drifting during swimming in the currents. Evolution of otolith shape is linked with a body shape to decrease resistance and achieve high speed of swimming. During development, Ps. georgianus use different currents and countercurrents to catch different krill stages. System of current is natural environment of life ofPs. georgianus.

Identification and Diagnostics of Plant-Symbiotic and Phytopathogenic Bacteria

Rapid and reliable diagnostics and identification of pathogenic and symbiotic bacteria are at the top of the agenda. In the first case, they are important to control and prevent crop damages, and thus reduce economic losses. In the second, it＇s necessary to design and monitor quality of biofertilizer to raise its effectiveness and crop capacity. Development of accurately, rapidly, technically and commercially accessible methods remains a critical problem for the bacteria with comprehensive phylogenetic structure. In this work, we investigated pathogenic Xanthomonas and Ralstonia and symbiotic Sinorhizobium. The aim of this investigation was to examine the applicability of the novel methods for phylogenetic study, identification and diagnostics of closely related species of these genera. The conventional phenotypic and genotypic （16S rRNA, gyrB） methods were applied as referents. Novel polymerase chain reaction （PCR）-based approaches, single-adapter amplified fragment length polymorphism （saAFLP） and comparative analyses of hin-region and Xcc0006-0007 sequences, were first employed for the investigations. Phenotypic tests, 16S rRNA and gyrB analysis distinguished bacteria at the genus level, but failed to identify them to the species robustly. The new methods identified bacteria at the inter-species level more precisely. This identification agreed with the accepted genera＇s classifications. The only exceptions were X. fuscans ＆ X. cirri and X. perforance ＆ X. euvesicatoria which clustered together. The further outcome of this study was achieved hin-region-based genus-specific PCR primers for the express-diagnostics of the genera. Summary, these new methods can be applied for genome-based phylogeny investigations and as convenient and accurate tools for identification and routine laboratory diagnostics of these comprehensive genera.

Ku80 gene G-1401T promoter polymorphism and risk of gastric cancer

AIM:To evaluate the possible relationship between the Ku80 gene polymorphism and the risk of gastric cancer in China.METHODS:In this hospital-based case-control study of gastric cancer in Jiangsu Province,China,we investigated the association of the Ku80 G-1401T (rs828907) polymorphism with gastric cancer risk.A total of 241 patients with gastric cancer and 273 age-and sexmatched control subjects were genotyped and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.RESULTS:The frequencies of genotypes GG,GT and TT were 65.6%,22.8% and 11.6% in gastric cancer cases,respectively,and 75.8%,17.6% and 6.6% in controls,respectively.There were significant differences between gastric cancer and control groups in the distribution of their genotypes (P=0.03) and allelic frequencies (P=0.002) in the Ku80 promoter G-1401T polymorphism.CONCLUSION:The T allele of Ku80 G-1401T may be associated with the development of gastric cancer.

Association between gastric cancer and -1993 polymorphism of TBX21 gene

AIM: To investigate the association between the polymorphism of TBX21 gene and the risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population. METHODS: The -1993 polymorphism located in TBX21 gene promoter region was identified by polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The risk between TBX21 gene genotype and gastric cancer was determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis in 220 gastric cancer patients and 262 cancer-free controls matched by age, sex and ethnicity. RESULTS: Compared with the TBX21 -1993TT genotype, the -1993CC genotype exhibited a significantly elevated risk for gastric cancer [Odds ratio (OR) = 3.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.41-8.31]. The relation-ship between the -1993 polymorphic genotype and the invasive status such as lymph node and distant metastasis was found among the gastric cancer patients (OR = 4.02, 95% CI: 1.87-8.66; OR = 7.02, 95% CI: 3.44-14.34, respectively). CONCLUSION: TBX21 -1993 polymorphism might contribute to the risk of gastric cancer, especially to the distant metastasis.

Genetic Diversity of the Medicinal Plant Ocimum Gratissimum L. （mint） from Kenya Based on AFLP Markers

Ocimum gratissimum L. native to Africa is a shrubby essential oil containing plant with medicinal, antimicrobial and antihelminthic properties. It is an important herbal medicine not only among Kenyan communities but also in the sub-Saharan Africa. No systematic assessment of genetic variability in O. gratissimum of Kenya has been carried out. In this study, amplified fragment length polymorphism （AFLP） analysis was used to estimate genetic diversity and genetic differentiation in 139 samples from all the different provinces of Kenya. Seven primer pairs, the Eco＋ACT plus Mse＋CAA, Eco＋ACT plus Mse＋CTG, Eco＋ACA plus Mse＋CAA, Eco＋ACA plus Mse＋CTG, Eco＋AGC plus Mse＋CAA, Eco＋ACC plus Mse＋CAA, and Eco＋ACC plus Mse＋CAC were the best combinations and generated polymorphic 655 bands with fragment ranging in size from 50 - 473 bp in size. Populations from central Kenya had the highest levels gene diversity. Most of the variability was partitioned into within populations 71%; P 〈 0.001 implying that collection strategies for conservation should focus on a few populations with many individuals across the ecological amplitude of the population. Genetic differentiation was GST = 0.286, an indication of genetic variation among the populations.

Analysis of bulked segregants to identify molecular markers linked with cocoon weight and cocoon shell weight in the silkworm Bombyx mori L

Two silkworm strains viz, B20 A (high cocoon shell ratio) and C.Nichi (low cocoon shell ratio) were sib mated for 10 generations to determine the homozygosis. Both bulked segregant analysis(BSA) and near isogenic lines (NIL) studies were done to identify the RFLP markers closely linked to cocoon shell parameters. Three hundred and fifty two random clones were identified as the low copy number sequence and used for identification of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphic (RFLP) marker linked to cocoon weight and cocoon shell character. In the bulk segregant analysis, DNA from the parents (B20 A, C.Nichi), F 1 and F 2 progeny of high shell ratio (HSR) and low shell ratio (LSR) were screened for hybridization with the random clones. Polymorphic banding pattern achieved through southern hybridization with different probes indicated the probable correlation of polymorphism with high and low cocoon shell character which are possible landmarks in identifying the putative marker(s) for the cocoon shell character. Out of the 100 probes tried with parents, F 1, F 2 and their bulks, 10 probes were found to be closely linked to cocoon shell characters.

Genetic Polymorphism of Kappa Casein （K-CN）in Iraqi Buffalo Using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism

This study was carried out the animal production department, genetic engineering lab, college of agriculture, （UoB）, Iraq. The aim of this study was to use the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP） as a fast, efficient and low cost method to detect the genetic variants of kappa-casein gene （k-CN） in Iraqi buffalo using three different primers specific for bovine k-CN to amplify the gene segment, followed by digestion using restriction enzyme （Hind III） for genotyping. DNA from 50 Iraqi buffaloes was extracted by phenol chloroform method. PCR was carried out in a final reaction volume of 25 μL and the reaction mixture was subjected to standard PCR protocol. The results of this work show that among the examined 50 Iraqi Buffalo were homozygous for the K-CN and genotyped as BB for all three primers but gave different bands. Thus PCR-RFLP using Hind III revealed all the samples to be monomorphic for this locus. The restriction digestion analysis of 397 bp PCR product of k-CN indicates the presence of two fragments of 154 bp and 225 bp for BB-genotype. A 437 bp fragment of the bovine genomic K-CN gene was amplified. One Hind III restriction site is found in position 346 of the amplified fragment of allele k-CN B, yielded 91 bp and 346 bp. Amplified products from Iraqi buffalo （530）, after being digested with Hind III, yielded two separate DNA fragments of different sizes i.e., 160 bp and 370 bp. For the first time completed research such specifications in Iraq, for the first time using molecular biology in genetic identification. Our objectives of this study have been to aid in understanding domestication, Buffalo origin and their history and evolution, to identify genetically unique breeds, to provide an objective basis for conservation decisions and to aid the formulation of breeding plans.

Polymorphisms in the Myostatin-1 gene and their association with growth traits in Ancherythroculter nigrocauda

Myostatin （MSTN） is a member of the transforming growth factor-β gene superfamily that negatively regulates skeletal muscle development and growth. In the present study, partial genomic fragments of Myostatin-1 （MSTN-1） in two commercial hatchery populations of Ancherythroculter nigrocauda, an economically important freshwater fish, were screened for single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） and then genotyped by direct sequencing of PCR products. Five SNPs were identified in intron 1 and exon 2, including a non-synonymous mutation causing an amino acid change （Val to Ile） at position 180. Association analyses based on 300 individuals revealed that the g. 1129T〉C SNP locus was significantly associated with total length （TL）, body length （BL）, body height （BH） and body weight （BW） in 6- and 18-month-old populations, while the g. 1289G〉A locus was significantly associated with BH and BW in the 6-month-old population. Haplotype analyses revealed that fish with the genotype combinations TC/TC or TC/GA showed better growth performance. Our results suggest that g.l129T〉C and g.1289G〉A have positive effects on growth traits and may be candidate gene markers for marker-assisted selection in A. nigrocauda.

《谈征》作者外方山人名讳补考

清中叶语言学著作《谈征》,作者外方山人名讳,现有段长基、伊秉绶二说。兹细绎该书诸序,并利用别集、方志、档案等史料,确定作者为段长基,对段长基生平仕履也做了一番梳理。

俗語辭書《談徵》作者辨正

《談徵》是清代俗語辭書中較好的一種。但此書作者未署本名,此前學者考證是著名書家、學者伊秉綬。經綜合考證此書序跋、正文中透露的信息,並查閲相關史料,可以確知作者非伊秉綬,而是與之同時的河南偃師學者段長基。

Global gene expression profiles for the growth phases of Trichophyton rubrum

Trichophyton rubrum （T. rubrum） is a common superficial fungus. Molecular and genetic studies of T. rubrum are still limited. In this paper, we report the global analysis of gene expression profiles at different growth phases using cDNA microarray technology. A total of 2044 differentially expressed genes were obtained and clustered into three expression patterns. Our data confirmed previous results that many mRNAs were pre-stored in the conidia of T. rubrum. Transcriptional profiling and function analysis showed that some glycolytic enzymes share similar expression patterns and may be coregulated during the transi- tion of growth phases. Some genes involved in small GTPase signaling pathways, and in cAMP-dependent and MAPK regulation pathways were induced in response to the growth dynamics of T. rubrum. Although the detailed biological roles of these Z rubrum genes are still unknown, our results suggest that these genes may be involved in regulation mechanisms in the life cycle of the fungus.