Selective modes affect gene feature and function differentiation of tetraploid Brassica species in their evolution and domestication

The genus Brassica contains a diverse group of important vegetables and oilseed crops. Genome sequencing has been completed for the six species (B. rapa, B. oleracea, B. nigra, B. carinata, B. napus, and B. juncea) in U’s triangle model. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether positively and negatively selected genes (PSGs and NSGs) affect gene feature and function differentiation of Brassica tetraploids in their evolution and domestication. A total of 9,701 PSGs were found in the A, B and C subgenomes of the three tetraploids, of which, a higher number of PSGs were identified in the C subgenome as comparing to the A and B subgenomes. The PSGs of the three tetraploids had more tandem duplicated genes, higher single copy, lower multi-copy, shorter exon length and fewer exon number than the NSGs, suggesting that the selective modes affected the gene feature of Brassica tetraploids. The PSGs of all the three tetraploids enriched in a few common KEGG pathways relating to environmental adaption (such as Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, Riboflavin metabolism, Isoflavonoid biosynthesis, Plant-pathogen interaction and Tropane, piperidine and pyridine alkaloid biosynthesis) and reproduction (Homologous recombination). Whereas, the NSGs of the three tetraploids significantly enriched in dozens of biologic processes and pathways without clear relationships with evolution. Moreover, the PSGs of B. carinata were found specifically enriched in lipid biosynthesis and metabolism which possibly contributed to the domestication of B. carinata as an oil crop. Our data suggest that selective modes affected the gene feature of Brassica tetraploids, and PSGs contributed in not only the evolution but also the domestication of Brassica tetraploids

Implementation and first-year screening results of an ocular telehealth system for diabetic retinopathy in China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To describe implementation and first-year screening results of the first Chinese telehealth system for diabetic retinopathy (DR) - the Beixinjing Community Diabetic Retinopathy Telehealth system (BCDRT).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>BCDRT implementation was based on the acquisition of adequate digital retinographs, secure digital transmission, storage and retrieval of participants' data and reader-generated medical reports. Local diabetic residents meeting inclusion criteria were enrolled into the BCDRT system beginning in 2009. Participants recommended for further in-person examination with ophthalmologists were followed, and the consistencies in diagnoses between BCDRT and ophthalmologists for DR or macular edema were calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 471 diabetic residents participated in BCDRT screening in 2009. The proportions of total DR, proliferative DR, and diabetic macular edema were 24.42% (115 patients), 2.12% (10 patients) and 6.47% (24 patients), respectively: 56 patients consulted ophthalmologists for further in-person retinal examination with funduscopy after pupil dilation. High rates of consistency between BCDRT screening and ophthalmologists were observed for macular edema (Kappa = 0.81), moderate or severe non-proliferative DR grade (Kappa = 0.92), and other DR grades (Kappa = 1). A total of 456 (96.82%) patients were willing to participate in the next BCDRT screening.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>BCDRT was a reliable and valid system for DR screening, and offers the potential to increase DR annual screening rates in local residents.</p

Visual and rapid detection of Acinetobacter baumannii by a multiple cross displacement amplification combined with nanoparticles-based biosensor assay

Abstract The traditional microbiological methods used for detecting Acinetobacter baumannii were usually time-consuming and labor-intensive. Thus, we sought to establish a novel rapid detecting method for target pathogen. A set of multiple cross displacement amplification (MCDA) primers was designed to recognize 10 different regions of the pgaD gene, which was conservative and specific for the bacterium. In the MCDA system, amplification primers D1 and R1 were 5′-labeled with FITC (fluorescein) and biotin, respectively. Numerous FITC- and biotin-attached duplex amplicons were formed during the amplification stage, which were detected by nanoparticles-based lateral flow biosensors (LFB) through immunoreactions (FITC on the duplex and anti-FITC on the LFB test line) and biotin/streptavidin interaction (biotin on the duplex and streptavidin on the nanoparticles). The results showed that the optimized reaction condition of MCDA-LFB method was 62 °C within 25 min. There was no cross reaction with non-A. baumannii species and the non-Acinetobacter genera, and the detection limit for DNA samples was 100 fg/reaction. For 135 sputum samples, the detection results showed that the detection ability of MCDA-LFB assay was superior to the culture methods and conventional PCR. Therefore, MCDA-LFB assay could be a potential tool for the rapid detection of A. baumannii in clinical samples and low resource areas

Development of a Novel Terpolymer as a Green and Efficient Decalcifying Agent for Crude Petroleum

A novel environmental decalcifying agent was prepared with allylpolyethoxy amino carboxylate (APEAA), hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), and maleic anhydride (MA) by means of free-radical polymerization in an aqueous solution. The morphology and structure of the samples were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectra. The molecular-weight distribution of APEAA–HEA–MA was determined by the gel permeation chromatography method. APEAA–HEA–MA was used as a green decalcifying agent to remove calcium from crude petroleum, and the impact of factors such as monomer ratio, copolymerization time, dosages, and desalination temperature was analyzed. It is found that the decalcification rate of APEAA–HEA–MA could reach to its maximum, and the calcium removal efficiency was approximately 97.88% when the monomer molar ratio of APEAA–HEA–MA was 1:2:5, the reaction time of copolymerization was 2 h, the dosage was 100 ppm, and the desalination temperature was 100 °C. This research work can promote the exploration on facile synthesis of a novel terpolymer and its potential application in refinery desalting processes

The 5-year onset and regression of diabetic retinopathy in Chinese type 2 diabetes patients.

To determine the rate and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy (DR) onset and regression in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.This is a 5-year community-based prospective study. The demographic information, systemic examination results and ophthalmological test results of each participant were collected. The study outcomes were DR incidence, defined as the onset of DR in at least one eye, and DR regression, defined as full regression from existing DR to no retinopathy without invasive treatments. The associations between each potential risk factor and the outcomes were studied.In total, 778 participants were enrolled. There were 322 patients without DR at baseline, of which 151 participants developed DR during follow-up (DR incidence rate = 46.89%). Baseline hyperglycemia and high blood pressure were two independent risk factors associated with DR incidence. Among the 456 participants with existing DR at entry, 110 fully recovered after 5 years (DR regression rate = 24.12%). Low baseline glucose and low serum triglyceride were two independent factors associated with DR regression.DR incidence occurred more frequently in patients with hyperglycemia and high blood pressure. DR regression occurred mostly in patients with lower glucose and lower serum triglyceride levels among Chinese type 2 diabetes patients

Enhanced photoemission performance of an AlGaN photocathode by a superlattice emission layer

The AlGaN photocathode with a superlattice emission layer was grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. The existence of the superlattice structure was confirmed using a transmission electron microscope, and its optical and electrical properties were measured. The results showed that the introduction of a superlattice emission layer can reduce the transmittance and reflectance at 275 nm and improve the absorption of incident light. In particular, the Hall measurement results indicate that the introduction of a superlattice structure can significantly increase the concentration of holes in the AlGaN photocathode material. The activation experiment demonstrated that the photocurrent of the AlGaN photocathode subassembly with a superlattice structure increased significantly after Cs/O activation and that it showed better photoemission performance. The increase in the incident light absorption to produce more photoelectrons, the enhancement of photoelectron transport capacity by the polarized electric field generated by the superlattice structure, and the reduction in the surface barrier caused by the higher hole concentration were responsible for the significant improvement in photoemission performance