Which strategy is better for linkage analysis: single-nucleotide polymorphisms or microsatellites? Evaluation by identity-by-state – identity-by-descent transformation affected sib-pair method on GAW14 data

The central issue for Genetic Analysis Workshop 14 (GAW14) is the question, which is the better strategy for linkage analysis, the use of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or microsatellite markers? To answer this question we analyzed the simulated data using Duffy's SIB-PAIR program, which can incorporate parental genotypes, and our identity-by-state – identity-by-descent (IBS-IBD) transformation method of affected sib-pair linkage analysis which uses the matrix transformation between IBS and IBD. The advantages of our method are as follows: the assumption of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is not necessary; the parental genotype information maybe all unknown; both IBS and its related IBD transformation can be used in the linkage analysis; the determinant of the IBS-IBD transformation matrix provides a quantitative measure of the quality of the marker in linkage analysis. With the originally distributed simulated data, we found that 1) for microsatellite markers there are virtually no differences in types I and II error rates when parental genotypes were or were not used; 2) on average, a microsatellite marker has more power than a SNP marker does in linkage detection; 3) if parental genotype information is used, SNP markers show lower type I error rates than microsatellite markers; and 4) if parental genotypes are not available, SNP markers show considerable variation in type I error rates for different methods

Molecular constitution of breast but not other reproductive tissues is rich in growth promoting molecules: A possible link to highest incidence of tumor growths

AbstractIn the current study we tested if highest incidence of benign as well as cancer growths in breast tissue is due to constitutive molecular composition of this tissue. To delineate the molecular basis, we compared the expression of nine functional gene modules (total 578 genes) that regulate major positive growth and negative inhibitory signals in normal breast with two other reproductive tissues, ovary and uterus. We present data to demonstrate that breast tissues constitutively have very highly elevated levels of several growth promoting molecules and diminished levels of inhibitory molecules which may, in part, contribute for highest incidence of tumor growths in this tissue

Global pattern of pairwise relationship in genetic network

In recent times genetic network analysis has been found to be useful in the study of gene-gene interactions, and the study of gene-gene correlations is a special analysis of the network. There are many methods for this goal. Most of the existing methods model the relationship between each gene and the set of genes under study. These methods work well in applications, but there are often issues such as non-uniqueness of solution and/or computational difficulties, and interpretation of results. Here we study this problem from a different point of view: given a measure of pair wise gene-gene relationship, we use the technique of pattern image restoration to infer the optimal network pair wise relationships. In this method, the solution always exists and is unique, and the results are easy to interpret in the global sense and are computationally simple. The regulatory relationships among the genes are inferred according to the principle that neighboring genes tend to share some common features. The network is updated iteratively until convergence, each iteration monotonously reduces entropy and variance of the network, so the limit network represents the clearest picture of the regulatory relationships among the genes provided by the data and recoverable by the model. The method is illustrated with a simulated data and applied to real data sets

Research Status and Development Trend of Vegetable Oil Gel Based on Big Data Visualization

In order to understand the research status and development trend of vegetable oil gel at home and abroad, and analyze the research hotspots and future development directions of vegetable oil gel, the literature related to vegetable oil gel included in CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) from 2003-2021 and WOS (Web of Science) core collection database from 2003-2021 were taken as data. CiteSpace, a scientific knowledge mapping tool, was used for big data induction and statistical analysis. The visual mapping analysis was carried out by comparing the number of literature in Chinese and foreign language databases, keywords (time zone, co-occurrence, clustering), co-occurrence of authors, issuing agencies, and issuing countries. The results showed that the number of literature on vegetable oil gel research at home and abroad was generally on the rise within the years of statistics, and the total number of literature in the statistical database was 1387, including 396 in Chinese and 991 in foreign languages. There were 135 core authors at home and abroad, with Chuanguo Ma and Marangoni A as the main core authors in Chinese and foreign languages respectively. Based on the knowledge mapping timeline of domestic and foreign literature, it was concluded that the research hotspots at home and abroad were the new oil gel factor (gel agent), oil gel structure analysis, multiphase oil gel mixing system, and oil gel digestibility. It is presumed that the future development direction of vegetable oil gel is the excavation of new functions and the expansion of application fields

Development of configurations for lookup table–based Embryonics using graphic mapping: A case study

This article presents the development of configurations for bio-inspired self-healing cellular arrays known as Embryonics (embryonic electronics). In the Embryonics design, the configurations are employed to define the functionality and connections of each cell. However, developing configurations of the Embryonics is a time-consuming and challenging work due to lack of effective tools. In this article, an approach is proposed to develop configurations using graphic mapping, which also optimizes the length of configurations for the Embryonics. Using metric embedding, the problem of configurations is exactly formulated to binary quadratic assignment problem and routing problem with constraint of the Embryonics architecture. Since binary quadratic assignment problem is nondeterministic polynomial-time hard, a genetic algorithm is used to tackle this problem for achieving high-quality placement. Due to the limitation of communication bandwidth, how to resolve congestion is also an important issue. An improved ant colony algorithm is presented to realize routing of the Embryonics based on the result of placement. Configurations of the Embryonics are formed according to the result of placement and routing. Experimental result on a 4 × 4 multiplier demonstrates that developing configurations for lookup table–based Embryonics using graphic mapping can lower the difficulty of the Embryonics design and optimize placement and routing of Embryonics

Ancient Chinese Fangzhongshu (Sexual Skills and Methods) Therapy for Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common male sexual dysfunction that can have significant effects on a couple’s relationship. Behavioral therapy and psychotherapy are both safe and effective methods of treating PE. Ancient Chinese fangzhongshu (sexual skills and methods), which reflects a summary of expert experiences in sexology, contains many therapies for sexual dysfunction that are similar to those used in behavioral therapy or psychotherapy. A brief introduction dealing with the latest definitions of\ud PE and treatment strategies drawn from behavioral therapy and psychotherapy is provided. Typical therapies for PE from ancient Chinese fangzhongshu are listed and briefly analyzed in order to define their domain of applicability and instructions for use. Ancient Chinese fangzhongshu contains many effective and safe therapies for PE. It should be incorporated into modern medical practice after critical analysis, and its scientific aspects should be promoted as a way of improving reproductive health, both to benefit individuals affected by PE and to promote traditional Chinese culture. Based on an analysis of the condition of the individual patient, one or multiple therapies guided by fangzhongshu can be expected to have an effect on the patient. Ancient Chinese fangzhongshu is of great value and should to be popularized and applied as a remedy for PE

Morphometric analysis in ethnic neonates from multiple substance exposure

In the United States, approximately 10% of newborn infants are exposed prenatally to alcohol and/or illicit substances. However, no studies have evaluated the compounding effects of multiple illicit substances exposure in utero as potential teratogen (s). The potential teratogenic effects of nicotine and illicit substances (e.g. cocaine, marijuana and heroin) have previously been studied but there has been no documentation of facial landmark dislocation (s). Our goal is to investigate whether morphometric analysis could differentiate facial landmark dislocations in neonates of African descent, when exposed to alcohol, nicotine and illicit substances, either singly or in combination. Craniofacial features from a cohort of 493 African-American neonates less than 48 hours of age were analyzed by Multivariate Hotelling\u27s T 2 analysis of 99 relevant facial landmark triangles. Morphometric analysis discriminated unique asymmetries in groups of certain illicit exposure(s). Neonates with multiple prenatal exposures had fewer facial landmark dislocation(s) compared to single exposures. Deviation from normal facial features has the potential to be used as a screening tool for prenatal exposure to some illicit substances