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.

Interaction between diet and genetics in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

In this editorial,we comment on the article by Marangoni et al,published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;29:5618-5629,about“Diet as an epigenetic factor in inflammatory bowel disease”.The authors emphasized the role of diet,especially the interaction with genetics,in promoting the inflam-matory process in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)patients,focusing on DNA methylation,histone modifications,and the influence of microRNAs.In this editorial,we explore the interaction between genetics,gut microbiota,and diet,in an only way.Furthermore,we provided dietary recommendations for patients with IBD.The Western diet,characterized by a low fiber content and deficiency the micronutrients,impacts short-chain fatty acids production and may be related to the pathogenesis of IBD.On the other hand,the consumption of the Mediter-ranean diet and dietary fibers are associated with reduced risk of IBD flares,particularly in Crohn’s disease(CD)patients.According to the dietary guidance from the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases(IOIBD),the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables while reducing the consumption of saturated,trans,dairy fat,additives,processed foods rich in maltodextrins,and artificial sweeteners containing sucralose or saccharine is recommended to CD patients.For patients with ulcerative colitis,the IOIBD recommends the increased intake of natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids and follows the same restrictive recommendations aimed at CD patients,with the possible inclusion of red meats.In conclusion,IBD is a complex and hetero-geneous disease,and future studies are needed to elucidate the influence of epigenetics on diet and microbiota in IBD patients.

A Theory of Bio-Quantum Genetics

The physical mechanism of heredity or inheritance of genes is a quantum mechanical and/or quantum computational process. A theory of bio-quantum genetics is established in this paper. Principle of Bio-quantum Genetics is suggested. I propose and define the soft-genes of genetics controlling the processes of heredity or inheritance of genes. This research deals with the quantum mechanisms of Mendel plant heredity and family inheritance as examples of bio-quantum genetics, deepening our understanding of heredity or inheritance. I believe that more contributions will be made to promote researches of bio-quantum genetics or quantum biology at large.

The Practice and Exploration of Applying EBM to Bilingual Teaching of Medical Genetics at OSBCM

In the process of teaching medical genetics of undergraduate clinical medicine, the practice and exploration of applying EBM to the bilingual teaching of OSBCM medical genetics are carried out. Using CBL and PBL as the carrier can make up for the shortcomings of a single teaching mode, synthesize the advantages of multiple teaching modes. It starts from integrating the basic theoretical knowledge of medicine and clinical practice knowledge, improving students’ bilingual level of medical genetics, cultivating students’ literature retrieval ability, and promoting early clinical, multi-clinical and repeated clinical consciousness for medical students. Therefore, it is more conducive to cultivate students’ ability to learn independently, accurately analyze and solve problems, improve medical students’ clinical thinking ability and scientific research awareness, improve medical students’ ability of international communication, and lay a solid foundation for improving medical students’ future post competence, innovative spirit and lifelong learning ability.

A Preliminary Study on Conservation Genetics of Three Endangered Orchid Species

采用随机扩增多态DNA(RAPD)分析研究了中国 3种珍稀濒危兰科植物硬叶兜兰 (PaphiopedilummicranthumTangetWang)、麻栗坡兜兰 (P .malipoenseS .C .ChenetTsi)和独花兰 (ChangnieniaamoenaChien)的遗传多样性与群体遗传结构。 12个RAPD引物在 2种兜兰中共扩增出 131条带。对 4个硬叶兜兰群体的检测表明其物种水平的多态条带百分率 (PPB)为 71.6 % ,Nei的基因多样度 (h)为 0 .2 171,Shannon多样性指数 (I)为 0 .330 1;4个群体的平均多样性水平为PPB =45 .2 % ,h =0 .145 7,I =0 .2 2 0 4,低于远交兰花的平均水平。在总遗传变异中 ,群体间遗传变异占 2 0 .31% ,略高于远交物种的平均水平。在物种水平上 ,麻栗坡兜兰的PPB为 49.5 % ,h为 0 .1174,I为0 .176 4,均大大低于硬叶兜兰。对 11个独花兰群体采用 16个RAPD引物共扩增出 119条带。物种水平PPB =76 .5 % ,h =0 .1941,I=0 .30 5 8;在群体水平上 ,上述 3个指标的平均值则分别为 37.2 %、0 .1197和 0 .1810 ,均低于远交兰花的平均水平。群体间的遗传变异占 45 .2 7% ,遗传分化明显高于远交物种的平均水平。导致 3个物种遗传多样性偏低而群体间遗传分化较高的主要原因在于人为的过度采挖和生境的片断化。

A Preliminary Study on Conservation Genetics of Endangered Vatica guangxiensis (Dipterocarpaceae)

运用 2 0个 10碱基随机引物 ,对中国龙脑香科 (Dipterocarpaceae)特有的珍稀濒危植物版纳青梅 (VaticaguangxiensisX .L .Mo)进行了RAPD多态性分析。 3个自然居群和 1个迁地保护居群 (分布于云南和广西 )共扩增出2 31个位点 ,多态位点所占比例 (PPB)为 5 3.6 8% ;观察等位基因数na =1.5 36 8,有效等位基因数ne =1.2 878,Nei基因多样性指数h为 0 .16 86 ,居群内的遗传多样性水平较低。基于AMOVA和POPGENE的结果均表明居群内的遗传变异大于居群间的遗传变异。居群内的遗传变异为 5 5 .0 9% ,居群间的变异为 44 .91% (AMOVA) ;基因分化系数Gst为 0 .3746 (POPGENE) ,表明居群间存在高水平的遗传分化。研究结果对该濒危植物的保护有重要意义。考虑到低水平的遗传多样性和高水平的居群分化 ,通过居群间种子和幼苗的交换来促进基因流是可行的保护方案。迁地保护居群 (ML)不具最高的遗传多样性 ,表明为了保护此濒危物种的全部遗传变异 。

Compound Genetics Annealing Optimal Algorithm for Realization of Locus Deduction of a Plane Link

A compound algorithm of genetic annealing is designed for optimizing the luffing mechanism locus of a plane link by means of random optimal algorithm, genetic and annealing algorithm. The computing experiment shows that the algorithm has much better steady convergence performance of optimal process and can hunt out the global optimal solution by biggish probability for objective function of multi peak value.

Study on the Acute Toxicity and Genetics Toxicity of Bensulfuronk-methyl on Danio rerio

[Objective] The aim was to study the effect of bensulfuron-methyl herbicide on acute toxicity and genetics toxicity of Danio redo. [ Method] Median lethal concentration was calculated by acute toxicity test, and analyzing the herbicide whether existing in potential toxicity to aquatic organisms or not. Based on the study of acute toxicity, genetics toxicity was carried out, by calculating the micronucleus rate to judge bensulfuron-methyl herbicide whether existing in potential toxicity or not. [ Result ] The LD5o （24 h and 48 h） of bensulfuron-methyl herbicide are 0.698 ml/L and 0.637 ml/L respectively, the safe concentration was 0.159 ml/L. The results on the effects of micronucleus （MN） in erythrocytes of Danio redo induced by bensulfuron-methyl at different times and different concentrations showed that the MN rate of control group was 0.010 3%, the highest MN rate of experimental group reached to 0. 372%, it also indicated that bensulfuron-methyl herbicide had genetics toxicity to Danio redo. At the same detection time, there was dose-effect relationship of MN rate in erythrocytes between treatment and control groups with different concentrations. In the same treatment group, the MN rate in erythrocytes reached to peak value at 24 h, and decreased at 48 h and 72 h with the infection time was prolonged. [ Conclusion ] The study provides some basis for scientifically selecting and reasonably using herbicide.

国外遗传学教材“Genetics”一书 简评

遗传学是生命科学中最富于综合性的中心学科之一，也是现代生命科学发展最为迅速的学科之一。以遗传学为基础发展起来的生物技术正处于浩浩荡荡的新发明浪潮的初期，分子遗传学及生物技术发明创造高潮将要持续到21世纪的很长一段时间，并将对医疗、农业、环保等产生革命性的影响。

Morphology and Genetics of Rice in Response to High Temperature at Flowering Period

High temperature stress is one of major abiotic stresses limiting rice productivity,especially at the flowering period.Understanding mechanisms of rice adaptation to heat stress would facilitate the development of heat-tolerance cultivars for improving yield in a warmer world.Rice heat stress responses are very complex.Interactions between structure,function and the environment need to be investigated at the apparent and molecular levels in order to obtain a full picture.In this review,we summarized the current knowledge on the morphology and genetic basis of heat tolerance in reproductive tissues of rice at the flowering time,and some morphologic characters for increasing thermotolerance in rice via conventional breeding are outlined.

Epidemiology, genetics and treatments for myopia

Myopia is a significant public health problem and its prevalence is increasing over time and genetic factors in disease development are important. The prevalence and incidence of myopia within sampled population often varies with age, country, sec race, ethnicity, occupation, environment, and other factors. Myopia growth is under a combination of genes and their products in time and space to complete the coordination role of the guidance. Myopia-related genes include about 70 genetic loci to which primary myopias have been mapped, although the number is constantly increasing and depends to some extent on definition. Of these, several are associated with additional abnormalities, mostly as part of developmental syndromes. These tend to result from mutations in genes encoding transcriptional activators, and most of these have been identified by sequencing candidate genes in patients with developmental anomalies. Currently, collagen alpha-1 chain of type I(COL1A1), collagen alpha-1 chain of type II(COL2A1), actin, alpha, cardiac muscle 1 (ACTC1), paired box gene 6 (PAX6) and NIPBL (nipped-B homolog), and so on have been mapped. Myopia is most commonly treated with spectacles or glasses. The most common surgical procedure performed to correct myopia is laser keratomileusis (LASIK). This review of the recent advances on epidemiology, genetic locations and treatments of myopia are summarized.

Carcinoma of the stomach: A review of epidemiology, pathogenesis, molecular genetics and chemoprevention

Carcinoma of the stomach is still the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide, although the incidence and mortality have fallen dramatically over the last 50 years in many regions. The incidence of gastric cancer varies in different parts of the world and among various ethnic groups. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, the 5-year survival rate of stomach cancer is only 20 per cent. Stomach cancer can be classified into intestinal and diffuse types based on epidemiological and clinicopathological features. The etiology of gastric cancer is multifactorial and includes both dietary and nondietary factors. The major diet-related risk factors implicated in stomach cancer development include high content of nitrates and high salt intake. Accumulating evidence has implicated the role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. The development of gastric cancer is a complex, multistep process involving multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, DNA repair genes, cell cycle regulators, and signaling molecules. A plausible program for gastric cancer prevention involves intake of a balanced diet containing fruits and vegetables, improved sanitationand hygiene, screening and treatment of H. pylori infection, and follow-up of precancerous lesions. The fact that diet plays an important role in the etiology of gastric cancer offers scope for nutritional chemoprevention. Animal models have been extensively used to analyze the stepwise evolution of gastric carcinogenesis and to test dietary chemopreventive agents. Development of multitargeted preventive and therapeutic strategies for gastric cancer is a major challenge for the future.

Molecular genetics and immunohistochemistry characterization of uncommon and recently described renal cell carcinomas

Renal cell carcinoma （RCC） compromises multiple types and has been emerging dramatically over the recent several decades. Advances and consensus have been achieved targeting common RCCs, such as clear cell carcinoma, papillary RCC and chromophobe RCC. Nevertheless, little is known on the characteristics of several newly-identified RCCs, including clear cell （tubulo） papillary RCC, Xpl 1 translocation RCC, t（6;11） RCC, succinate dehydrogenase （SDH）-deficient RCC, acquired cystic disease- associated RCC, hereditary leiomyomatosis RCC syndrome-associated RCC, ALK translocation RCC, thyroid-like follicular RCC, tubulocystic RCC and hybrid oncocytic/chromophobe tumors （HOCT）. In current review, we will collect available literature of these newly-described RCCs, analyze their clinical pathologic characteristics, discuss their morphologic and immunohistologic features, and finally summarize their molecular and genetic evidences. We expect this review would be beneficial for the understanding of RCCs, and eventually promote clinical management strategies.

Molecular genetics and targeted therapeutics in biliary tractcarcinoma

The primary malignancies of the biliary tract, cholangio-carcinoma and gallbladder cancer, often present at an advanced stage and are marginally sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy. Accumulating evidence indicates that molecularly targeted agents may provide new hope for improving treatment response in biliary tract carcinoma(BTC). In this article, we provide a critical review of the pathogenesis and genetic abnormalities of biliary tract neoplasms, in addition to discussing the current and emerging targeted therapeutics in BTC. Genetic studies of biliary tumors have identified the growth factors and receptors as well as their downstream signaling pathways that control the growth and survival of biliary epithelia. Target-specific monoclonal antibodies and small molecules inhibitors directed against the signaling pathways that drive BTC growth and invasion have been developed. Numerous clinical trials designed to test these agents as either monotherapy or in combination with conventional chemotherapy have been completed or are currently underway. Research focusing on understanding the molecular basis of biliary tumorigenesis will continue to identify for targeted therapy the key mutations that drive growth and invasion of biliary neoplasms. Additional strategies that have emerged for treating this malignant disease include targeting the epigenetic alterations of BTC and immunotherapy. By integrating targeted therapy with molecular profiles of biliary tumor, we hope to provide precision treatment for patients with malignant diseases of the biliary tract.

Developmental Genetics Analysis for Plant Height in indica Hybrid Rice Across Environments

The developmental genetics of plant height was analyzed from two groups of three-line indica hybrid rice at two environmental conditions based on the NCII design, using the additive-dominant developmental genetics models and the statistic methods. The results showed that the rice genotypes and environmental conditions could both affect plant height, and the effects of environment on plant height decreased gradually with plant development. Additive and dominant effects both governed the performance of plant height at all developmental stages. However, the degrees of effect varied among the rice genotypes. Moreover, the interaction between environments and genotypes also affected plant height. The genetic effects differed at most developmental stages. Furthermore, the expressJon of additive effect was more active than that of dominant effect. Conditional interaction effects with environment also influenced plant height during genetic development, especially at the eady stage. Mid-parent heterosis （HMP） increased gradually with the developmental stage of plant height, and maximized at the latest stage, whereas the heterosis over the better parent （HBP） showed small differences among the genotypes, and kept stable at the later stage, with positive numeric value. At most developmental stages, conditional HMP was positively significant, while conditional HBP was negatively significant. All above results suggest that HMP and HBP have some new expressions in all developmental periods and the levels and directions are quite different.

Genetics of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction

Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease(CAD) comprises a broad spectrum of clinical entities that include asymptomatic subclinical atherosclerosis and its clinical complications, such as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction(MI) and sudden cardiac death. CAD continues to be the leading cause of death in industrialized society. The long-recognized familial clustering of CAD suggests that genetics plays a central role in its development, with the heritability of CAD and MI estimated at approximately 50% to 60%. Understanding the genetic architecture of CAD and MI has proven to be difficult and costly due to the heterogeneity of clinical CAD and the underlying multi-decade complex pathophysiological processes that involve both genetic and environmental interactions. This review describes the clinical heterogeneity of CAD and MI to clarify the disease spectrum in genetic studies, provides a brief overview of the historical understanding and estimation of the heritability of CAD and MI, recounts major gene discoveries of potential causal mutations in familial CAD and MI, summarizes CAD and MIassociated genetic variants identified using candidate gene approaches and genome-wide association studies(GWAS), and summarizes the current status of the construction and validations of genetic risk scores for lifetime risk prediction and guidance for preventive strategies. Potential protective genetic factors against the development of CAD and MI are also discussed. Finally, GWAS have identified multiple genetic factors associated with an increased risk of in-stent restenosis following stent placement for obstructive CAD. This review will also address genetic factors associated with in-stent restenosis, which may ultimately guide clinical decision-making regarding revascularization strategies for patients with CAD and MI.

Pharmacogenetics of the systemic treatment in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of primary liver cancers. To date, most patients with HCC are diagnosed at an advanced tumor stage, excluding them from potentially curative therapies (i.e., resection, liver transplantation, percutaneous ablation). Treatments with palliative intent include chemoembolization and systemic therapy. Among systemic treatments, the small-molecule multikinase inhibitor sorafenib has been the only systemic treatment available for advanced HCC over 10 years. More recently, other smallmolecule multikinase inhibitors (e.g., regorafenib, lenvatinib, cabozantinib) have been approved for HCC treatment. The promising immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., nivolumab, pembrolizumab) are still under investigation in Europe while in the US nivolumab has already been approved by FDA in sorafenib refractory or resistant patients. Other molecules, such as the selective CDK4/6inhibitors (e.g., palbociclib, ribociclib), are in earlier stages of clinical development, and the c- MET inhibitor tivantinib did not show positive results in a phase III study. However, even if the introduction of targeted agents has led to great advances in patient response and survival with an acceptable toxicity profile, a remarkable inter-individual heterogeneity in therapy outcome persists and constitutes a significant problem in disease management. Thus, the identification of biomarkers that predict which patients will benefit from a specific intervention could significantly affect decision-making and therapy planning. Germ-line variants have been suggested to play an important role in determining outcomes of HCC systemic therapy in terms of both toxicity and treatment efficacy. Particularly, a number of studies have focused on the role of genetic polymorphisms impacting the drug metabolic pathway and membrane translocation as well as the drug mechanism of action as predictive/prognostic markers of HCC treatment. The aim of this review is to summarize and critically discuss the pharmacogenetic literature evidences, with particular attention to sorafenib and regorafenib, which have been used longer than the others in HCC treatment.

Gallbladder cancer epidemiology, pathogenesis and molecular genetics: Recent update

Gallbladder cancer is a malignancy of biliary tract which is infrequent in developed countries but common in some specific geographical regions of developing countries. Late diagnosis and deprived prognosis are major problems for treatment of gallbladder carcinoma. The dramatic associations of this orphan cancer with various genetic and environmental factors are responsible for its poorly defined pathogenesis. An understanding to the relationship between epidemiology, molecular genetics and pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer can add new insights to its undetermined pathophysiology. Present review article provides a recent update regarding epidemiology, pathogenesis, and molecular genetics of gallbladder cancer. We systematically reviewed published literature on gallbladder cancer from online search engine Pub Med(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed). Various keywords used for retrieval of articles were Gallbladder, cancer Epidemiology, molecular genetics and bullion operators like AND, OR, NOT. Cross references were manually searched from various online search engines(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed,https://scholar.google.co.in/, http://www.medline.com/home.jsp). Most of the articles published from 1982 to 2015 in peer reviewed journals have been included in this review.

Genetics of seed flavonoid content and antioxidant activity in cowpea(Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.)

Information about the type of gene action governing the inheritance of cowpea seed flavonoid content and antioxidant activity is prerequisite for starting an effective breeding program for developing improved varieties. For this purpose, half-diallel crosses among seven diverse parents were made. The homozygous parents and 21 F1 hybrids were evaluated at Maroua in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Flour samples produced from decorticated seeds were used for biochemical analysis. Analysis of variance showed significant differences(P < 0.001) among genotypes for the studied traits with ranges of 363.6–453.9 mg rutin equivalent per 100 g dry weight(DW) for total flavonoids, 13.38–30.73 mg ascorbic acid equivalent per 1 g DW for ferric iron reducing activity, 70.98–266.93 mg trolox equivalent per 100 g DW for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, and 90.93–370.62 mg trolox equivalent per 100 g DW for 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)(ABTS) free radical scavenging activity. Both additive and non-additive gene effects were significant in the genetic control of these traits, but dominance variance was greater than additive variance. The traits were mainly controlled by overdominance model suggesting a selection in the delayed generations.Broad- and narrow-sense heritability estimates varied from 0.90 to 0.99 and from 0.12 to 0.45,respectively. The variances due to both general and specific combining ability were highly significant for all studied traits. Recessive alleles had positive effects on DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities, whereas dominant alleles had positive effects on flavonoid content and ferric iron reducing activity. These results could help cowpea breeders to improve the antioxidant potential of cowpea seeds by appropriate selection.

Invasion genetics of alien insect pests in China: Research progress and future prospects

An unwelcome side effect of the globalization of the world's economy and dramatic increase in human mobility and trade has been a marked increase in species invasions that have posed severe threats to the ecological, economic, and/or social stability of the introduced regions. In this review, we analyzed the application of molecular markers in invasion genetics of invasive alien insect pests(IAIPs) in China based on a bibliometric survey. Our report discusses the considerable progress that has been made during the past two decades in understanding the invasion genetics of IAIPs in China. We reviewed the major findings in the main topics including the effects of origin and routes of invasion on genetic structure, spatial and temporal genetic changes, factors contributing to the genetic changes of IAIPs, and genetic mechanisms involved in IAIPs' invasions. On the other hand, some of these research areas remain relatively unexplored in China, especially those pertaining to spatial and temporal genetic changes of IAIPs and genetic mechanisms of IAIPs' invasions. Finally, the future research prospects of IAIPs in China are discussed. We hope this review will stimulate an interest in and provide an increased understanding of the field of invasion genetics of IAIPs in China, and provide a basis for future research in this area.