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Saccharum spontaneum L. is one of the most important germplasm resources for modern sugarcane breeding. Exploring the cold tolerance of S. spontaneum clones with different ploidy levels and screening for cold‐tolerant material can be helpful in parent selection for breeding cold‐tolerant sugarcane.Morphological indices, leaf ultrastructure and physiological indices were used to evaluate the cold tolerance of 36 S. spontaneum clones with different ploidy levels (2n = 40, 48, 54, 60, 64, 78, 80, 88, 92 and 96).The morphological indices of S. spontaneum clones with different ploidy levels were positively correlated with ploidy. Under low‐temperature stress, the chloroplast and mitochondrial structures of the clones with high ploidy were more severely damaged than were those of clones with low ploidy. A comprehensive evaluation of the physiological indices showed that the 36 S. spontaneum clones could be divided into four categories: strongly cold tolerant, cold tolerant, moderately cold tolerant and cold sensitive. Correlation analysis of the morphological indices and cold tolerance revealed a significant negative correlation between cold tolerance and ploidy. On the basis of the morphological and physiological indices, optimal stepwise regression equations that can be used for the selection of cold‐tolerant S. spontaneum resources were established.The S. spontaneum clones with low ploidy are more cold tolerant than those with high ploidy. Clones 12‐37, 13‐10 and 12‐23 are strongly cold‐tolerant germplasm resources, which suggests these germplasm sources have high potential for use in breeding cold‐tolerant sugarcane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4,5‐DOPA dioxygenase (DODA) is a crucial enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of betalain. Previous studies have shown that DODA is present in plants, fungi and bacteria. Using updated data, here we show that DODA genes (BmDODA) in the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori) and other lepidopteran insects are most likely to be horizontally transferred from fungi. A synteny analysis indicated that BmDODA1 is orthologous to other lepidopteran DODAs and that BmDODA2 is a paralogous gene. To explore the function of DODA in Lepidoptera, we first examined the expression patterns of BmDODA1. BmDODA1 showed high transcriptional and translational levels in the midgut and head. Then, we exogenously expressed the BmDODA1 gene, detected 4,5‐DOPA ring‐cleaving activity and calculated the kinetic parameters of the recombinant BmDODA1. We found that the transcription levels of BmDODA1 were significantly induced by the pathogens Bacillus bombyseptieus and Escherichia coli. Thus, the horizontal transfer of the BmDODA gene in the silkworm may be involved in dopa metabolism and contribute to antimicrobial activity in this species. Our results provide a documented example of functional horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between fungi and animals and expand our knowledge of HGT amongst eukaryotes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken to evaluate the milk protein response when cows were supplied a balanced AA profile and to determine whether a deficiency of Leucine (Leu) or Arginine (Arg) had a negative effect on milk protein. Eight mid-lactation Holstein cows were randomly assigned to 5-day continuous jugular infusions of saline ( CTL), EAA mixture prepared on the profile of casein and supplied (in % of lysine (Lys)) 100% of Lys, 33.3% of methionine (Met), 110.2% of Leu, 43.6% of Arg, 50.8% of threonine (Thr), 81.6% of valine (Val), 69.7% of isoleucine (Ile), 61.4% of phenylalanine (Phe) and 34.2% of histidine (His) ( Casein, 160 g/d), EAA mixture excluding Leu (−Leu, 163 g/d) or EAA mixture excluding Arg (−Arg, 158 g/d) in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four infusion periods separated by 7-day interval period. The basal diet supplied 1.6 Mcal NEL and 94.4 g MP per 1 kg DM to meet requirements for lactation. The Casein treatment provided a balanced supply (in % of MP) of 10.3% Leu and 5.3% Arg, whereas in the two subsequent −Leu and −Arg treatments, the concentration of Leu and Arg was reduced to 8.4 and 4.6% respectively. Dry matter intake (15.4 kg/day) was not affected by treatments. The Casein treatment increased milk yield (14.9%, p < 0.001), milk protein yield (120 g, p < 0.001) and milk protein efficiency (0.03, p = 0.099) than CTL treatment. However, the −Leu treatment decreased the responses of above-measured parameters by 6.25%, 70 g, 0.05 (p < 0.06) (compared with Casein). These effects of Leu were related to decreased Leu concentration and improved concentration of Ile and Val in plasma. The −Arg treatment decreased the plasma Arg concentration than the Casein treatment, whereby resulted in the decrease of milk yield (5.7%, p = 0.073), milk protein yield (60 g, p = 0.011) and milk protein efficiency (0.04, p = 0.037). In conclusion, supply of EAA profile of casein can increase the lactation production in dairy cows, and 8.6% of Leu in MP partly limits the milk protein response when the requirements of Lys, Met and His were met. The level of Arg at 4.6% MP is not deemed to an ideal profile, as evidenced by decreased milk protein efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs), in the 5′-flanking and micro RNA (mi RNA) regulatory regions may result in altered gene expression levels and cause diseases. Alpha-2-macroglobulin ( A2 M) has the function of binding host or foreign peptides and particles, and thereby serves as a defense barrier against pathogens in the plasma and tissues of animals. To investigate the functional markers of the A2 M gene associated with mastitis, the promoter was characterized and SNPs that affect promoter activity or binding affinity with the target mi RNA were identified using the luciferase reporter assay and real-time quantitative PCR method. Results showed that the core promoter of A2 M was found between the bases g.-2641 and g.-2479. Four novel SNPs (g.-724A>G, g.-665G>A, g.-535C>G and g.-520_-519ins A) in the promoter region were completely linked. The activity of the mutant haplotype ( GAGA) increased by 177% compared with that of the wild haplotype ( AGC-). Bta-mi R-2898 was upregulated by 6.25-fold in the mammary gland tissues of mastitis-infected cows compared with that of the healthy cows. One SNP (c.4659_4661del C) located in the 3′-untranslated region of the A2 M gene may affect the binding affinity with the target bta-mi R-2898. Five SNPs exhibited tight linkage. Association analysis showed that the milk somatic cell score for cows with the mutant haplotype ( GAGA-) was lower than that for cows with the wild haplotype. Thus, the mutant type can be used as a potential functional marker for a mastitis resistance breeding program in dairy cows. Our findings provided the molecular basis for A2 M transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulations. A close relationship between regulatory mutations and mastitis susceptibility of cows also was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The controllable formation of zinc oxide ( ZnO) nanostructures and nanowires by a cheap and environmental friendly fabrication method of simply subjecting metallic zinc films in sodium chloride ( NaCl) solution at 170°C from 3 to 15 h under hydrothermal conditions is demonstrated in this study. Scanning electron microscopy ( SEM) and X-ray diffraction ( XRD) indicate that ZnO films with different morphologies are obtained: from a film with network of circular pores to a film with nanowire-like network with bigger pores. It is observed that heating duration has an effect on its photoluminescence ( PL) properties. Ultraviolet emission is observed for all ZnO films. Green emission surfaces after heating for 6 h, which subsequently disappears after 15 h of heating. It is suggested that the morphology change over different heating durations is responsible for the rise and subsequent decline in green emissions. Lastly, the growth mechanism behind zinc oxidation and morphology change is proposed and investigated with the aid of experimental method. It is verified that pitting corrosion is responsible for the growth mechanism here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The GlideScope® videolaryngoscope is widely utilised in the management of the difficult airway. However, complications such as mucosal injury, palatal and tonsillar perforations have been reported with its use. The Shikani optical stylet has shown promise in aiding difficult intubations. This randomised controlled trial evaluates the Shikani optical stylet as an alternative to the GlideScope videolaryngoscope in patients undergoing anaesthesia, with a simulated difficult airway. Sixty patients were randomised to undergo tracheal intubation with either the GlideScope videolaryngoscope (n = 30) or the Shikani optical stylet (n = 30). All patients had rigid cervical collars applied to simulate a difficult airway. Tracheal intubation was successful in all patients, with first attempt success rates of 97% (29/30) the GlideScope group compared with 93% (28/30) in the Shikani group compared with 93% (28/30) in the Shikani group (p = 0.5). The mean (SD) time to intubation was 64 (37) s when using the GlideScope and 58 (26) s in the Shikani group (p = 0.48). A higher incidence of airway mucosal injury was noted in patients intubated with the GlideScope videolaryngoscope, compared with the Shikani optical stylet (5 vs 0, respectively, p = 0.05). This trial suggests that the Shikani optical stylet is a viable alternative to the GlideScope videolaryngoscope in the management of the difficult airway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic alterations leading to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are gradually being discovered. A wide variety of genes have been associated with ESCC development as well as tumor progression. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a multifunctional cytokine; it promotes tumor growth and metastasis in later stages of of cancer development. Variations in the DNA sequence in the TGF-β1 gene may lead to altered TGF-β1 production and/or activity, and so this can modulate an individual’s susceptibility to ESCC. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the association of the TGF-β1 gene −509 C/T and 869 T/C (Leu10Pro) polymorphisms and their haplotypes with the risk of ESCC. 247 patients with ESCC and 260 age- and sex-matched controls were studied using a polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism. There were significant differences in the genotype and allele distribution of 869 T/C polymorphism of the TGF-β1 gene among cases and controls. The 869 TC and CC genotypes were associated with a significantly increased risk of ESCC as compared with the 869 TT genotypes [odds ratio (OR) = 1.882, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.212–2.923, P = 0.005 and OR = 2.099, 95% CI 1.288–3.421, P = 0.003, respectively]. Consistent with the results of the genotyping analyses, the –509 T/869 C haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of ESCC as compared with the –509 C/869 T haplotype (OR = 1.463; 95% CI 1.120–1.912; P = 0.005). This study shows for the first time that TGF-β1 gene 869 T/C polymorphism may contribute to a genetic risk factor for ESCC in a Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species or sub-species including Parazacco spilurus fasciatus, Candidia barbatus, Zacco temminckii, Zacco sieboldii, Zacco platypus, Zacco macrolepis, Zacco pachycephalus, some undetermined Zacco taxa formerly misidentified as Chinese Z. platypus and Opsariichthys uncirostris were sampled, and their mitochondrial cytochrome b genes were sequenced. In the phylogenetic analysis, the genus Parazacco forms the basal taxon for the remaining members of the opsariichthine fishes, which can be divided into two major groups. The first group includes species with one longitudinal stripe on the flanks and contains Z. temminckii, Z. sieboldii and C. barbatus with sequence divergences of 12·7–16·5%. The second group has species with 10 cross bars on the body and includes O. uncirostris, Z. macrolepis, Z. platypus, Z. pachycephalus and five undetermined Zacco spp. (A–E) lineages. The estimated divergence times of mtDNA lineages within the nominal species of Z. pachycephalus and C. barbatus are >2 million years ago. According to geological evidence, this predates the earliest possible time for their arrival in Taiwan Island and indicates that the population differentiations might have been taken place in mainland China before their subsequent dispersal to Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two sequence variants of the aldolase C ( ALDOC) gene were discovered based on comparison of the sequences from an altiplano chicken breed (Tibetan chicken) and two lowland breeds (White Leghorn and ShouGuang). Gel-shift results indicated that one of these variants, L25375:c.310-258G>A, was able to bind hypoxia-induced factor-l (HIF1A), therefore, functioning as a hypoxia response element (HRE). The combined activity of the HRE and HIF1A could increase under the influence of a hypoxic stimulus. Hypoxia leads to increased death rates of chicken embryos, while the L25375:c.310-258G>A described herein is prevalent in healthy embryos grown under hypoxic conditions. Fluorescence quantitative real-time PCR results revealed that HIF1A upregulated the transcript level of the glycolytic enzyme ALDOC in the brain and skeletal muscle of animals subjected to hypoxia. Thus, a large amount of ATP is produced by increased glycolysis, allowing the organism to meet energy metabolism demands. As such, we believe this sequence variant is an adaptation to external anoxic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complete mitochondrial D-loop sequences of 231 samples were used to explore the origin and genetic diversity of Chinese cattle. Phylogenetical analysis of these sequences revealed both Bos taurus and Bos indicus mitochondrial types in Chinese cattle. Four of the previously identified mitochondrial DNA lineages (T1–T4) were identified in the Bos taurus type, including lineage T1, which was found for the first time in Chinese cattle. Two lineages (I1 and I2) were identified in the Bos indicus type. Our results support the suggestion that the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau is the domestication site of Chinese zebu. We also found evidence that Tibetan cattle originated from taurine and zebu cattle. The distribution pattern of Chinese cattle breeds was closely related to the geographical and climatic background. It was possible to divide Chinese cattle in this study into two major groups: northern and southern cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5′-AMP-activated protein kinase plays an important role in regulating the level of ATP in the presence of metabolic stress. Previous studies revealed that polymorphisms in 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase gamma 3 subunit ( PRKAG3) gene are associated with meat quality in pigs. In the present study, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5′-end and exons of chicken PRKAG3 gene were identified with the method of single-strand conformation polymorphism in Hubbard ISA White broiler, Leghorn layer, and three Chinese indigenous chicken breeds, Tibet Chicken, Shouguang Chicken and Beijing Yellow Chicken. Two SNPs in the 5′-end of the gene and 10 SNPs in exons 3, 4, 9 and 11, of which three caused amino acid substitutions, were identified in the PRKAG3 gene of the five chicken breeds. The results will facilitate further study on the association between the mutations of PRKAG3 and chicken meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is devoted to the calculation of the capacitance of monolithic microwave integrated-circuit (MMIC) passive components. The method of moments (MoM) is used to solve the integral equation for the electrostatic problem with the help of the spatial-domain multilayered media Green's function that can be obtained using the discrete complex image method (DCIM). As an application, the capacitance of several MMIC passive components, including capacitors and interconnects, is calculated. The numerical experiments show the efficiency and accuracy of the present method. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 216–219, 2002. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biconjugate gradient-fast Fourier transform (BCG–FFT) method is a very efficient and useful technique to analyze microstrip antennas and arrays. In order to increase the efficiency of the BCG–FFT method by reducing the number of iterations, a multilevel BCG–FFT method is constructed using the idea of multigrid methods. The analysis of microstrip antennas and arrays illustrates that the multilevel BCG–FFT method has good accuracy and is much faster than the BCG–FFT method. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 27: 20–23, 2000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor about research on apolipoprotein E allele in relation to late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

The GlideScope(®) videolaryngoscope is widely utilised in the management of the difficult airway. However, complications such as mucosal injury, palatal and tonsillar perforations have been reported with its use. The Shikani optical stylet has shown promise in aiding difficult intubations. This randomised controlled trial evaluates the Shikani optical stylet as an alternative to the GlideScope videolaryngoscope in patients undergoing anaesthesia, with a simulated difficult airway. Sixty patients were randomised to undergo tracheal intubation with either the GlideScope videolaryngoscope (n = 30) or the Shikani optical stylet (n = 30). All patients had rigid cervical collars applied to simulate a difficult airway. Tracheal intubation was successful in all patients, with first attempt success rates of 97% (29/30) the GlideScope group compared with 93% (28/30) in the Shikani group compared with 93% (28/30) in the Shikani group (p = 0.5). The mean (SD) time to intubation was 64 (37) s when using the GlideScope and 58 (26) s in the Shikani group (p = 0.48). A higher incidence of airway mucosal injury was noted in patients intubated with the GlideScope videolaryngoscope, compared with the Shikani optical stylet (5 vs 0, respectively, p = 0.05). This trial suggests that the Shikani optical stylet is a viable alternative to the GlideScope videolaryngoscope in the management of the difficult airway., (Anaesthesia © 2012 The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.)