Screening of candidate genes at GLC3B and GLC3C loci in Chinese primary congenital glaucoma patients with targeted next generation sequencing

Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is characterized by developmental abnormalities of the anterior chamber angle. Although several genes have been associated with PCG, pathogenic mutations could only be detected in about 20% of Chinese patients. GLC3B (1p36.2–36.1) and GLC3C (14q24.3) loci were previously identified in PCG pedigrees via linkage analysis. However, no causative genes were reported in these loci. This study was designed to search for novel PCG-related genes in these genetic regions. DNA samples from 100 PCG patients and 200 normal controls were pooled and sequenced using a customized panel of 133 positional candidate genes located around GLC3B and GLC3C loci (±1Mb). PCG-related genes were prioritized by the distribution of variants between patients and controls. Confirmation of selected variants and co-segregation analysis were performed using Sanger sequencing. Patient and control group contained 116 and 147 rare variants respectively after screening. Three genes (ZC2HC1C, VPS13D, and PGF) were prioritized according to the distribution of variants between the two groups. Rare variants of PGF were only identified in PCG patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study aiming at exploring novel PCG-related genes at GLC3B and GLC3C loci. Our preliminary results suggest that there are potential associations between ZC2HC1C, VPS13D, PGF, and PCG. However, larger cohort studies and functional assays are required to provide further evidence for the proposed genotype-phenotype association.</p

Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factors for Crop Residues and Animal Manure Common in China

Accurately determining protein content is essential in exploiting biomass as feed and fuel. A survey of biomass samples in China indicated protein contents from 2.65 to 3.98% for crop residues and from 6.07 to 10.24% for animal manure of dry basis. Conversion factors based on amino acid nitrogen (<i>k</i>_A) ranged from 5.42 to 6.00 for the former and from 4.78 to 5.36 for the latter, indicating that the traditional factor of 6.25 is not suitable for biomass samples. On the other hand, conversion factors from Kjeldahl nitrogen (<i>k</i>_P) ranged from 3.97 to 4.57 and from 2.76 to 4.31 for crop residues and animal manure, respectively. Of note, conversion factors were strongly affected by amino acid composition and levels of nonprotein nitrogen. Thus, <i>k</i>_P values of 4.23 for crop residues, 4.11 for livestock manure, and 3.11 for poultry manure are recommended to better estimate protein content from total nitrogen

Un niño judío en el equipo: Fútbol e identidad en Pelota de trapo (de Leopoldo Torres Ríos)

Resumen: Este artículo se centra en la representación de Abrahamcito, un niño judío que aparece en la película argentina Pelota de trapo (Leopoldo Torres Ríos, 1948). Se explora la relación que el niño tiene con su padre y los demás niños del vecindario, así como también la manera en que el fútbol como metáfora de integración promueve una alianza superior a cualquier otra. Se demuestra que Abrahamcito, quien hace frente a los ideales de su padre y se une a los otros niños en los juegos de pelota, forja su identidad de pertenencias múltiples en la que integra su identidad étnica judía y su identidad nacional argentina. Abstract: This article focuses on the representation of Abrahamcito, a Jewish boy featured in the Argentine film Ragged Ball (Leopoldo Torres Ríos, 1948). The study explores the boy’s relationship with his father and the neighborhood’s children, as well as the way in which the role of football as a metaphor for integration elicits an alliance superior to any other. It is shown that by contesting his father’s ideals and joining the other boys in football games, Abrahamcito forges his multi-layered identity by integrating his Jewish ethnic identity and his Argentine national identity

Linkage disequilibrium plot of the 6 tag SNPs around <i>MMP9</i> in the Chinese dataset of this study.

<p>The numbers in the diamond indicate r²; black represented r² = 1, shades of grey indicated 0< r² <1, and white referred to r² = 0. Chromosomal positions were based on NCBI build 36.3 (National Center for Biotechnology Information, Bethesda, MD).</p

Meta-analysis with prior studies of the association between rs3918249 and PAC/PACG.

<p>Odds ratio was calculated per each increase in minor allele T. The summary odds ratio was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.45–0.88) for the Caucasian population and 0.91 (95% CI: 0.80–1.03) for the Chinese populations. Significant heterogeneity between the Caucasian and Chinese populations precluded an overall meta-analysis for rs3918249 (<i>Q</i> = 0.04, <i>I</i>^<i>2</i> = 75%). The Bonferroni corrected significance level was set as 0.01 (0.05/5).</p

Meta-analysis with prior studies of the association between rs17576 and PAC/PACG.

<p>Odds ratio was calculated per each increase in minor allele A. The summary odds ratio was 0.56 (95% CI: 0.42–0.74) for the non-Chinese populations and 1.23 (95% CI: 0.83–1.82) for the Chinese populations. Significant heterogeneity between the non-Chinese and Chinese populations precluded an overall meta-analysis for rs17576 (<i>Q</i> = 0.001, <i>I</i>^<i>2</i> = 90%). The Bonferroni corrected significance level was set as 0.01 (0.05/5).</p

Meta-analysis with prior studies of the association between rs17577 and PAC/PACG.

<p>Odds ratio was calculated per each increase in minor allele A. The summary odds ratio was 1.71 (95% CI: 1.09–2.67) for the Caucasian population, 1.20 (95% CI: 0.99–1.45) for the Chinese populations, and 1.26 (95%CI: 1.06–1.50) for the combined Caucasian + Chinese populations, respectively. The odds ratios between the Caucasian and Chinese datasets were not significantly heterogeneous (<i>Q</i> = 0.15, <i>I</i>^<i>2</i> = 52%). The Bonferroni corrected significance level was set as 0.01 (0.05/5).</p

Highly Selective Extraction of Lithium from Spent NCM Cathode Powder Reconstructive Electrode by Acid-Free Electrochemical Process

The environmentally friendly and efficient recovery of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can mitigate environmental pollution and enhance resource utilization efficiency. This study proposed a process for coating spent NCM cathode powder (LiNixCoyMnzO2) on graphite sheets for the electrochemical leaching of lithium. Direct electrooxidation method for leaching from the prepared electrode sheets can achieve the selective leaching rate of Li+ close to 100% in Na2CO3 solution. In addition, the electron transfer mechanism was investigated during the electrooxidation process. Under optimal conditions, the same electrolyte solution was electrolyzed 40 times to enrich lithium by replacing fresh electrode sheets. Since there was almost no leaching of other metals, there was no need to add precipitants to obtain battery-grade Li2CO3 through evaporation and concentration. This strategy not only circumvents the risk of secondary pollution caused by the use of a large number of leaching agents but also shortens the lithium recycling process

Flow chart of the Monte Carlo simulation of light propagation in turbid media.

<p>Flow chart of the Monte Carlo simulation of light propagation in turbid media.</p

Demographic and clinical features of cases and controls in this study.

<p>Demographic and clinical features of cases and controls in this study.</p