Association of Combined Maternal-Fetal TNF-α Gene G308A Genotypes with Preterm Delivery: A Gene-Gene Interaction Study

Preterm delivery (PTD) is a complicated perinatal adverse event. We were interested in association of G308A polymorphism in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene with PTD; so we conducted a genetic epidemiology study in Anqing City, Anhui Province, China. Case families and control families were all collected between July 1999 and June 2002. To control potential population stratification as we could, all eligible subjects were ethnic Han Chinese. 250 case families and 247 control families were included in data analysis. A hybrid design which combines case-parent triads and control parents was employed, to test maternal-fetal genotype (MFG) incompatibility. The method is based on a log-linear modeling approach. In summary, we found that when the mother's or child's genotype was G/A, there was a reduced risk of PTD; however when the mother's or child's genotype was genotype A/A, there was a relatively higher risk of PTD. Combined maternal-fetal genotype GA/GA showed the most reduced risk of PTD. Comparison of the LRTs showed that the model with maternal-fetal genotype effects fits significantly better than the model with only maternal and fetal genotype main effects (log-likelihood = −719.4, P = .023, significant at 0.05 level). That means that the combined maternal-fetal genotype incompatibility was significantly associated with PTD. The model with maternal-fetal genotype effects can be considered a gene-gene interaction model. We claim that both maternal effects and fetal effects should be considered together while investigating genetic factors of certain perinatal diseases

TPH2 Gene Polymorphisms and Major Depression – A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: Tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthetic pathway for brain serotonin and is considered key factor for maintaining normal serotonin transmission in the central neuron system (CNS). Gene-disease association studies have reported a relationship between TPH2 and major depressive disorder (MDD) in different populations, however subsequent studies have produced contradictory results. OBJECTIVES: We performed a systematic overview and a meta-analysis with all available data up-to-date. METHODS: We scrutinized PubMed, Embase, HuGNet and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI ) and last update was held on October 2011. We also searched the manuscripts and the supplementary documents of the published genome-wide association studies in the field. Effect sizes of independent loci that have been studied in more than 3 articles were synthesized using fixed and random effects models. RESULTS: We found 27 eligible articles that studied a total of 74 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Finally, 12 independent loci were included in the meta-analysis. The synthesis of the data shown that two SNPs (rs4570625 and rs17110747) were associated with MDD using fixed effects models. SNP rs4570625 had low heterogeneity and remained significant using the more conservative random effects calculations with a summary OR = 0.83 (95% CI: 0.73-0.96). CONCLUSION: The current study identified a SNP (rs4570625) with strong epidemiological credibility; however more studies are required to provide robust evidence for other weak associations

Identification of a Novel Intron and 4 Polymorphisms in the Gene Encoding the y Subunit of the Epithelial Sodium Channel

The amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel is a highly selective sodium channel that constitutes the rate-limiting step of sodium reabsorption in distal nephrons. It consists of at least 3 subunits (a, /?, and y) of similar structure and plays an important role in sodium and fluid homeostasis. Defects of this channel have been critically implicated in Liddle syndrome (pseudoaldosteronism) and pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1. A sample of 48 individuals from 23 nuclear families was selected from Anhui, China. We sequenced 12 exons and flanking intronic sequences and discovered a new 207-bp intron located in the previously described exon X of Thomas et al. (1996). In addition, 4 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified; 3 were in exon 3 and 1 was in exon 13. Furthermore, 2 base substitutions in exon 13 were present in all the Chinese subjects compared with the published European SCNN1G DNA sequence

Changes of dendritic spine density and morphology in the superficial layers of the medial entorhinal cortex induced by extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure.

In the present study, we investigated the effects of chronic exposure (14 and 28 days) to a 0.5 mT 50 Hz extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELM) on the dendritic spine density and shape in the superficial layers of the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC). We performed Golgi staining to reveal the dendritic spines of the principal neurons in rats. The results showed that ELM exposure induced a decrease in the spine density in the dendrites of stellate neurons and the basal dendrites of pyramidal neurons at both 14 days and 28 days, which was largely due to the loss of the thin and branched spines. The alteration in the density of mushroom and stubby spines post ELM exposure was cell-type specific. For the stellate neurons, ELM exposure slightly increased the density of stubby spines at 28 days, while it did not affect the density of mushroom spines at the same time. In the basal dendrites of pyramidal neurons, we observed a significant decrease in the mushroom spine density only at the later time point post ELM exposure, while the stubby spine density was reduced at 14 days and partially restored at 28 days post ELM exposure. ELM exposure-induced reduction in the spine density in the apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons was only observed at 28 days, reflecting the distinct vulnerability of spines in the apical and basal dendrites. Considering the changes in spine number and shape are involved in synaptic plasticity and the MEC is a part of neural network that is closely related to learning and memory, these findings may be helpful for explaining the ELM exposure-induced impairment in cognitive functions

Application of blanching pretreatment in herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) flower processing : Improved drying efficiency, enriched volatile profile and increased phytochemical content

Although various techniques have been developed to dry herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) flowers, the dried products usually have a low retention level of bioactive compounds, which limits the valorization of peony-derived products. This work is the first to employ steam blanching (SB), high-humidity hot air impingement blanching (HHAIB), and vacuum-steam pulsed blanching (VSPB) before drying to improve the drying efficiency and quality of dried peony flowers. Results showed blanching pretreatment led to significant (p < 0.05) reductions in drying time by 7.02–40.35% and energy consumption by 6.86–39.96%, respectively. The final dried samples also exhibited reductions in browning degree by 30.93–62.89% and shrinkage ratio by 30.05–68.83%, respectively. Based on blanching pretreatment, the retention levels of bioactive compounds in dried samples were significantly (p < 0.05) improved. The dried samples blanched with VSPB possessed the highest contents of gallic acid (76.76 ± 1.75 mg/100 g DW), catechins (0.327 ± 0.010 mg/100 g DW), paeoniflorin (51.00 ± 1.41 mg/100 g DW), total phenolic (85.41 ± 1.81 mg GAE/100 g DW), flavonoid (11.00 ± 0.26 mg RE/100 g DW), and sugar (22.86 ± 0.13 g/100 g DW), thus causing superior antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, a total of 28 volatiles were identified, with alcohols (8.58–166.10 μg/g), alkanes (11.69–70.01 μg/g), and terpenes (5.89–47.93 μg/g) being the dominant contributors to the flavor of dried samples. This work provides insight for researchers to develop dried peony flowers with high added value using an energy-efficient strategy in the future

Pressure effect on superconductivity of iron-based arsenic-oxide ReFeAsO

Here we report pressure effects on the superconducting transition temperature $(T_{{\rm c}})$ of the ReFeAsO0.85 (Re = Sm and Nd) system without fluorine doping. In situ measurements under high pressure showed that $T_{{\rm c}}$ of the two compounds decreases monotonously over the pressure range investigated. The pressure coefficients ${\rm d}T_{{\rm c}}/{\rm d}P$ in SmFeAsO0.85 and NdFeAsO0.85 were different, revealing the important influence of the deformation in layers on $T_{{\rm c}}$. Theoretical calculations suggested that the electron density of states decreases with increasing pressure, following the same trend of experimental data

Enhanced Li-Ion-Storage Performance of MoS 2 through Multistage Structural Design

Inspired by a folded protein, multistage structural MoS 2 is designed as an advanced anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are initially performed, demonstrating that the ideal primary structure (P−MoS 2 ) has saw-tooth-like edges terminated by Mo atoms and the desired secondary structure (C−MoS 2 ) may form via crumpling. For the latter, more exposed (002) planes exist within the wrinkled parts, creating more active sites and promoting isotropic Li + insertion. Importantly, the rate capability and capacity of a MoS 2 anode are enhanced after such a P−MoS 2 to C−MoS 2 transition: a superb specific capacity of 1490 mAh/g for C−MoS 2 at 0.1 A/g (vs. 1083 mAh/g for P−MoS 2 ), an excellent cycling stability (858 mAh/g after 450 cycles at 0.5 A/g), and an improved rate capability of 591 mAh/g at 1 A/g (vs. 465 mAh/g) are documented. The curving effects and mechanical properties of a single C−MoS 2 particle are further visualized by in situ TEM. Drastically enlarged spacing changes upon Li-insertion and high elasticity are confirmed, which lead to enhanced LIB performances and the excellent mechanical strength of C−MoS 2 . The present multistage design of a MoS 2 structure should pave the way toward high-energy MoS 2 anode materials for future LIBs. </p

ELM exposure influences the spine density and shape in the apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons.

<p>(A) Representative images of spines on the 20 µm second-order apical dendrites (left). Histogram summarizes the effect of ELM exposure on spine density (right). (B) Bar histogram shows the effect of ELM exposure on the thin, mushroom and stubby spine density in apical dendrites. (C) Representative images of branched spines (shown in a red frame) on the 20 µm second-order dendrites of apical dendrites of control and ELM exposure group at 14 and 28 days respectively (left). ELM did not influence the branched spine density (right). *<i>P</i><0.05; ^#<i>P</i><0.05.</p

Forest plot of genetic association studies of rs17110747-A and major depression.

<p>Forest plot of genetic association studies of rs17110747-A and major depression.</p