New combination in Veronica (Scrophulariaceae s.l.) based on morphological characters and the seed storage protein polymorphism

Veronica erciyasdagi （M. A. Fischer） C. Vural comb. ＆ stat. nov., previously regarded as a variety, is proposed as a new combination, based on the morphological characters and seed storage protein polymorphism presented in this study. In addition, information about the ecology and conservation status of Veronica erciyasdagi was reported. This taxon is endemic to central Anatolia, Turkey and is critically endangered.

Genetic Polymorphism of Milk Protein and Their Relationships with Milking Performances in Chinese Yak

The milk protein polymorphisms were typed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE)from 109 Maiwa and 100 Jiulong yaks, and the relationships among milk protein polymorphisms,milking traits and milk protein compositions were studied. The results showed thatβ-CN,κ-CN andα-La were monomorphic,αs1-CN andβ-Lg were polymorphic, the dominantgenes were αs1-CN D and β-Lg E,respectively. The frequencies of αs1-CN D were 0.8073and 0.6000 and β-Lg E were 0.9770 and 0.9700 in two populations respectively.The meanheterozygosities were 0.1021 and 0.1867 in two populations. No significant effects onmilking traits and milk protein compositions were observed except for αs1-CN locus onfat percentage in Jiulong yak.

Association between homeobox protein transcript antisense intergenic ribonucleic acid genetic polymorphisms and cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)represents a rare but highly aggressive malignancy that is often challenging to diagnose,especially in early stages.The role of existing tumor biomarkers for CCA diagnosis,remains controversial due to their low sensitivity and specificity.Increasing evidence has implicated long non-coding ribonucleic acid polymorphisms with cancer susceptibility in a variety of tumor types.The association between long non-coding ribonucleic acid homeobox protein transcript antisense intergenic ribonucleic acid(HOTAIR)polymorphisms and CCA risk has not been reported yet.AIM To investigate the influence of HOTAIR variants on the risk of CCA development.METHODS We conducted a case-control study in which three HOTAIR single nucleotide polymorphisms(rs920778,rs4759314 and rs7958904)were genotyped in a Greek cohort.Our study population included 122 CCA patients(80 males and 42 females)and 165 healthy controls.The polymorphisms under investigation were examined in peripheral blood samples.RESULTS HOTAIR rs4759314 AG and GG genotypes were associated with a significantly increased CCA risk[P=0.004,odds ratio:3.13;95%confidence interval:1.65-5.91 and P=0.005,odds ratio:12.31;95%confidence interval:1.48-101.87,respectively].However,no significant associations of HOTAIR rs920778,and rs7958904 were detected.Similarly,we found no significant associations between rs4759314 AA genotype and CCA susceptibility.CONCLUSION HOTAIR rs4759314 AG and GG genotypes may be implicated with CCA development and may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker.

Genetic Diversity and Classification of Chinese Elite Foxtail Millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.] Revealed by Acid-PAGE Prolamin

Arid and semi-arid regions of China account for more than half of the country. Because of drought resistance and high nutritive value, elite foxtail millet (Setaria Italica (L.) P. Beauv.) is one of the most important cereal crops in China. Evaluation of germplasm and genetic diversity of foxtail millet is still in its infancy, but prolamin could play an important role as a protein marker. To investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of foxtail millet from different ecological zones of China, 90 accessions of foxtail millet were collected from three major ecological areas: North, Northwest, and Northeast China. The prolamin contents were examined by acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (acid-PAGE). Five to twenty-two prolamin bands appeared in tested varieties, of which were polymorphic, so prolamin patterns of foxtail millet varieties can be used in variety identification and evaluation. Structure analysis identified six groups, which matches their pedigree information but not their geographic origins. This indicated a high degree (87.78%) of consistency with a phylogenetic classification based on SSR. The results showed prolamin banding patterns were an effective method for analyzing foxtail millet genetic variability.

Development of a Novel PmpD-N ELISA for Chlamydia psittaci Infection

Objective Chlamydia psittaci is an avian respiratory pathogen and zoonotic agent. The wide prevalence of C. psittaci poses a threat to the poultry industry and its employees. However, few commercial kits are available for detecting avian antibodies excluding the in-house ELISA kit. In this study, we developed a novel ELISA kit for detecting antibodies against C. psittaci based on the N-terminal fragment of polymorphic outer membrane protein D （PmpD-N） as the coating antigen. Methods The antigen concentrations, primary antibody, and cut-off value were determined and optimized. The ELISA, designated PmpD-N ELISA, was assessed for sensitivity, specificity, and concordance using sera samples from 48 experimentally infected and 168 uninfected SPF chickens. Results The sensitivity and specificity of PmpD-N ELISA were 97.9%, 100%, respectively, while the concordance was 98.1% as compared to that of MOMP-ELISA. No cross-reaction with positive sera for other avian pathogens was found. Using PmpD-N ELISA, 799/836 clinical samples were positive, including 93.0% and 98.1% positivity in layers and broilers, respectively. Conclusion These data indicate that indirect ELISA with PmpD-N as the antigen candidate is a promising approach for the surveillance of C. psittaci infection.

Frequency of C825T G protein β3 subunit gene polymorphism and its association with obesity in the Kyrgyz population

Objective:To examine the frequency of C825T G protein β3 subunit gene polymorphism and its association with obesity of ethnic Kyrgyz.Methods:The study enrolled 210 people,89 patients(35 females,54 males)with obesity(BMI≥30 kg/m2)and 121 practically healthy patients(38 females,83 males)with normal body weight and no signs of type 2 diabetes(group of control),who were not observed before by a cardiologist.The blood pressure,anthropometry,glucose and lipid profile were examined among all subjects.Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood cells.G proteinβ3 subunit C825T polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Results:TT and CT genotypes carriers were grouped together in one group because the TT genotype was rare.CT+TT genotype frequency in the group with obesity made 0.72 and was significantly higher than that in the control group-0.52(χ2-8.44;P=0.004;odds ratio-2.55;95%CI 1.31-4.23).The statistical analysis revealed that hypertension(45%vs.31.3%,P=0.049)and obesity(51.2%vs.30%,P<0.01)occurred significantly more often in CT+TT genotype carriers than in the CC homozygotes.The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of 825T allele(exp β-2.89;95%CI 1.25-6.7;P=0.013),along with the occasional consumption of vegetables(exp β-3.47;95%CI 1.52-7.94;P=0.003)was the significant risk factor for obesity,regardless of gender,age and level of physical activity.In the construction of the similar regression model for hypertension,the statistically significant role of 825T allele was lost after adjustment for obesity as an independent variable.Conclusion:G protein β3 subunit gene C825T allele in the Kyrgyz ethnic group has an association with obesity.

An association study of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type R gene polymorphism and the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in major depressive disorder

Objective To explore the influence of a polymorphism of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type R(PTPRR)gene rs1513105 on abnormal brain activities in resting-state patients with major depressive disorder(MDD)using the gene-imaging technology.Methods 54MDD and 43 gender-,age-,and education-matched con-

The microsatellite polymorphism of heme oxygenase-1 is associated with baseline plasma IL-6 level but not with restenosis after coronary in-stenting

Background Vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs） can express heme-oxygenase （HO）, a rate-limiting enzyme in the degradation of heme to bilirubin, ferritin and carbon monoxide （ CO）. VSMC-derived CO can suppress VSMC proliferation and may serve as an antiproliferation factor. The promoter region of HO-1 shows a polymorphism with different （GT）n repeats that has been reported to differently induce gene expression. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of this variation on the occurrence of restenosis after in-stent treatment in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods Candidates who underwent coronary stent implantation were genotyped for the HO-1 promoter polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and automated DNA capillary sequencer. Serum levels of IL-6 and C-reactive protein （CRP） were obtained at baseline, 24 hours and 48 hours after stenting. The primary end point for the study was angiographic evidence of in-stent restenosis at 6 months. All parameters for evaluation of restenosis were analysed by quantitatve computer-assisted angiographic analysis （QCA）. Results One hundred and eighty-seven patients who underwent coronary stent implantation were studied of whom 27.8% showed 〉150% restenosis after 6 months. The distribution of （GT）n repeats of all patients in the promoter region of HO-1 genotype ranged from 22 to 42, with （GT） 25 and （GT） 32 being the two most common alleles. The allelic repeats were divided into the short class （S） with 29 （ GT）., the middle class （M） with 30- 37 （GT）n and the long class （L） with 38 （GT）n. There was no significant difference in the restenosis between the genotype groups or between post operation levels of inflammation markers, but carriers of the S allele （ n = 120） had 33.3% lower baseline IL-6 compared with non-S carriers （n =67, P =0. 0008）. Conclusions Although no association was observed between the HO-1 promoter polymorphism and coronary in-stent restenosis following the stent procedure, the association with plasma IL-6 levels suggests that HO-1 S allele might protect from the atherosclerotic inflammatory process.