Transcriptome analysis and comparison reveal divergence between two invasive whitefly cryptic species

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Invasive species are valuable model systems for examining the evolutionary processes and molecular mechanisms associated with their specific characteristics by comparison with closely related species. Over the past 20 years, two species of the whitefly <it>Bemisia tabaci </it>species complex, Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED), have both spread from their origin Middle East/Mediterranean to many countries despite their apparent differences in many life history parameters. Previously, we have sequenced the transcriptome of MED. In this study, we sequenced the transcriptome of MEAM1 and took a comparative genomic approach to investigate the transcriptome evolution and the genetic factors underlying the differences between MEAM1 and MED.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using Illumina sequencing technology, we generated 17 million sequencing reads for MEAM1. These reads were assembled into 57,741 unique sequences and 15,922 sequences were annotated with an E-value above 10^-5. Compared with the MED transcriptome, we identified 3,585 pairs of high quality orthologous genes and inferred their sequence divergences. The average differences in coding, 5' untranslated and 3' untranslated region were 0.83%, 1.66% and 1.43%, respectively. The level of sequence divergence provides additional support to the proposition that MEAM1 and MED are two species. Based on the ratio of nonsynonymous and synonymous substitutions, we identified 24 sequences that have evolved in response to positive selection. Many of those genes are predicted to be involved in metabolism and insecticide resistance which might contribute to the divergence of the two whitefly species.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data present a comprehensive sequence comparison between the two invasive whitefly species. This study will provide a road map for future investigations on the molecular mechanisms underlying their biological differences.</p

Transcriptomic Analysis of the Salivary Glands of an Invasive Whitefly

<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Some species of the whitefly <em>Bemisia tabaci</em> complex cause tremendous losses to crops worldwide through feeding directly and virus transmission indirectly. The primary salivary glands of whiteflies are critical for their feeding and virus transmission. However, partly due to their tiny size, research on whitefly salivary glands is limited and our knowledge on these glands is scarce.</p> <h3>Methodology/Principal Findings</h3><p>We sequenced the transcriptome of the primary salivary glands of the Mediterranean species of <em>B. tabaci</em> complex using an effective cDNA amplification method in combination with short read sequencing (Illumina). In a single run, we obtained 13,615 unigenes. The quantity of the unigenes obtained from the salivary glands of the whitefly is at least four folds of the salivary gland genes from other plant-sucking insects. To reveal the functions of the primary glands, sequence similarity search and comparisons with the whole transcriptome of the whitefly were performed. The results demonstrated that the genes related to metabolism and transport were significantly enriched in the primary salivary glands. Furthermore, we found that a number of highly expressed genes in the salivary glands might be involved in secretory protein processing, secretion and virus transmission. To identify potential proteins of whitefly saliva, the translated unigenes were put into secretory protein prediction. Finally, 295 genes were predicted to encode secretory proteins and some of them might play important roles in whitefly feeding.</p> <h3>Conclusions/Significance:</h3><p>The combined method of cDNA amplification, Illumina sequencing and <em>de novo</em> assembly is suitable for transcriptomic analysis of tiny organs in insects. Through analysis of the transcriptome, genomic features of the primary salivary glands were dissected and biologically important proteins, especially secreted proteins, were predicted. Our findings provide substantial sequence information for the primary salivary glands of whiteflies and will be the basis for future studies on whitefly-plant interactions and virus transmission.</p> </div

Evaluation quality of life in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma using UW-QOL

目的：应用UW-QOL 第4 版评价口腔鳞癌患者的生存质量(quality of life, QOL)。方法：采用直接翻译并经过适当修改的UW-QOL 第4 版，对97 例确诊为口腔鳞癌的连续患者的术前QOL 进行测量，术后3 个月对其中55 例患者的QOL 作重复测量。采用SPSS12.0 软件包分析量表的信度、效度和反应度。结果：量表总的克朗巴赫系数和分半信度分别为0.725 和0.701；12 个条目可提取4 个因子，累计方差贡献率为65.4%；以SF-36 中文版和FACT-H&N 的头颈特异性子量表FACT-HN 为效标，其效标效度分别为0.543 和0.738；量表能敏感地区分已知的2 组口腔癌患者术前QOL 的差异及口腔癌患者QOL 随时间的变化。结论：UW-QOL 第4 版具有良好的信度和反应度，其测定结构呈多维性，可用于中国人口腔癌患者生存质量的测量。 PURPOSE: To evaluate the quality of life in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma using UW-QOL version 4. METHODS: The quality of life(QOL) of 97 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as oral squamous cell carcinoma was assessed preoperatively with UW-QOL version 4 which was translated directly and modified necessarily. QOL of 55 patients was examined 3 months postoperatively. The validity, reliability and responsiveness of the scale were analyzed using SPSS12.0 software package. Statistical methods involved in this study included Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon test, factor analysis, reliability analysis, and bivariate correlation analysis. RESULTS: The internal consistency α of the instrument was 0.725, and the split-half reliability was 0.701. An exploratory factor analysis on the 12 items produced 4 factors, and the analysis explained 65.4% of the total variation. The criterion validity with SF-36 and FACTHN was 0.543 and 0.738, respectively. The instrument could detect the differences of preoperative QOL between T1+T2 group and T3+T4 group and the changes of QOL over time sensitively. CONCLUSION: The UW-QOL version 4 could measure the quality of life in oral cancer patients with good reliability, responsiveness and multi-dimensional constructs, it can be used in Chinese population with oral cancer