All nonhomologous chromosomes and rearrangements in Saccharum officinarum × Saccharum spontaneum allopolyploids identified by oligo-based painting

Modern sugarcane cultivars (Saccharum spp., 2n = 100~120) are complex polyploids primarily derived from interspecific hybridization between S. officinarum and S. spontaneum. Nobilization is the theory of utilizing wild germplasm in sugarcane breeding, and is the foundation for utilizing S. spontaneum for stress resistance. However, the exact chromosomal transmission remains elusive due to a lack of chromosome-specific markers. Here, we applied chromosome-specific oligonucleotide (oligo)-based probes for identifying chromosomes 1-10 of the F1 hybrids between S. officinarum and S. spontaneum. Then, S. spontaneum-specific repetitive DNA probes were used to distinguish S. spontaneum in these hybrids. This oligo- fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) system proved to be an efficient tool for revealing individual chromosomal inheritance during nobilization. We discovered the complete doubling of S. officinarum-derived chromosomes in most F1 hybrids. Notably, we also found defective S. officinarum-derived chromosome doubling in the F1 hybrid Yacheng75-4191, which exhibited 1.5n transmission for all nonhomologous chromosomes. Altogether, these results highlight the presence of variable chromosome transmission in nobilization between S. officinarum and S. spontaneum, including 1.5n + n and 2n + n. These findings provide robust chromosome markers for in-depth studies into the molecular mechanism underlying chromosome doubling during the nobilization, as well as tracing chromosomal inheritance for sugarcane breeding

Characterization, Genomic Organization, Abundance, and Chromosomal Distribution of Ty1-copia Retrotransposons in Erianthus arundinaceus

Erianthus arundinaceus is an important wild species of the genus Saccharum with many valuable traits. However, the composition and structure of its genome are largely unknown, which have hindered its utilization in sugarcane breeding and evolutionary research. Retrotransposons constitute an appreciable fraction of plant genomes and may have played a significant role in the evolution and sequence organization of genomes. In the current study, we investigate the phylogenetic diversity and genomic abundance of Ty1-copia retrotransposons for the first time and inspect their chromosomal distribution patterns in E. arundinaceus. In total, 70 Ty1-copia reverse transcriptase (RT) sequences with significant levels of heterogeneity were obtained. The phylogenetic analysis revealed these Ty1-copia retrotransposons were classified into four distinct evolutionary lineages (Tork/TAR, Tork/Angela, Retrofit/Ale, and Sire/Maximus). Dot-blot analysis showed estimated the total copy number of Ty1-copia retrotransposons to be about 4.5 × 103 in the E. arundinaceus genome, indicating they were a significant component. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that Ty1-copia retrotransposons from the four lineages had strikingly similar patterns of chromosomal enrichment, being exclusively enriched in the subterminal heterochromatic regions of most E. arundinaceus chromosomes. This is the first clear evidence of the presence of Ty1-copia retrotransposons in the subterminal heterochromatin of E. arundinaceus. Altogether, these results promote the understanding of the diversification of Ty1-copia retrotransposons and shed light on their chromosomal distribution patterns in E. arundinaceus

Identification of PCAG1 as a novel prostate cancer-associated gene

The aim of the present study was to identify a new prostate cancer-associated gene and analyze its expression pattern. Comprehensive expression analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and microarray data and serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) were conducted to screen in silico for candidate prostate cancer-associated genes. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was performed to validate prostate cancer specificity. Prostate cancer-associated gene 1 (PCAG1) was identified. The expression of PCAG1 mRNA and protein was evaluated in common human normal tissues, common malignant tumors, prostate adenocarcinoma and paired adjacent normal prostate tissues. An immunofluorescence assay was conducted to determine the subcellular location of PCAG1. PCAG1 mRNA was absent in the 15 pooled normal tissues (including normal prostate tissue) but registered at low levels in the spleen tissue (+). By contrast, PCAG1 mRNA was significantly higher than in the adjacent normal tissues in each of the 14 cases of prostate cancer, with similar to 50% scoring a high degree of expression (+++). Of the 32 types of normal tissues, 29 (including normal prostate tissue) demonstrated negative PCAG1 protein staining while the remaining tissues of the adrenal gland, parathyroid gland and liver expressed low levels. While 18/20 cases of prostate adenocarcinoma showed positive expression results, PCAG1 protein expression in the remaining types of cancer was scarce when present at all; only 41/380 other cancer cases demonstrated positive results at a low level. The most substantial PCAG1-positive expression results were identified by cytoplasmic staining in 36/38 prostate adenocarcinoma cases, with 10 cases showing high expression levels, 20 showing medium levels and 6 showing low levels. In the paired adjacent normal prostate tissues, only 3/38 cases showed low level positive staining, while 35/38 cases were negative. Immunofluorescent staining of the human prostate cancer PC3 cell line showed positive PCAG1 expression results in the mitochondria. The present study demonstrated that while PCAG1 mRNA was highly expressed in prostate cancer tissues, it was almost absent in all common normal tissues and paired adjacent normal prostate tissues. Furthermore, PCAG1 protein was also highly expressed in prostate cancer tissues, while few common normal tissues, other common malignant tumors and paired adjacent normal prostate tissues had even low levels of expression. Clarification of the function and transcriptional mechanism of PCAG1 may aid the elucidation of the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and progression of prostate cancer. The unique expression pattern of PCAG1 suggests its potential in certain clinical applications

Diversity Chromosome Evolution of Ty1-<i>copia</i> Retrotransposons in <i>Pennisetum purpureum</i> Revealed by FISH

Pennisetum purpureum is a potential species for biofuel production. Characterization and chromosomal distribution of retrotransposons could enhance the comprehension of the role and dynamics of the repetitive elements in plants. In this study, a phylogenetic tree was constructed according to the conserved reverse transcriptase sequences and revealed that these Ty1-copia retrotransposons had a typical structure. Analysis showed that the total Ty1-copia retrotransposons had a significant component, as high as 5.12 × 103 copy numbers in P. purpureum. Then, the chromosomal pattern of four known lineages were also analyzed with the Pennisetum glaucum genome, which suggested that the Sire/Maximus lineage had the highest copy number and followed by Tork/Angela, Tork/TAR, Retrofit/Ale. Additionally, the chromosomal distribution of total Ty1-copia retrotransposons was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to be a dispersed pattern with weak clustering, mostly near the centromeric regions of P. purpureum chromosomes; interestingly, there were four obvious signals in the subterminal chromosomes. These results suggested that there occurred differential dynamic evolution directions of Ty1-copia retrotransposons within P. purpureum. Furthermore, co-localization of Ty1-copia, 5S rDNA, and 35S rDNA indicated that two chromosome 2 and four chromosome 4 were identified. Concurrently, subterminal signals of Ty1-copia-type retrotransposons were located on four other homologous chromosomes. Altogether, these results shed light on the diversification of Ty1-copia retrotransposons and have the significance for generation of valid chromosomal markers in retrotransposon families

Renal cell carcinoma growing into the renal pelvis and mimicking transitional cell carcinoma: A case report and literature review

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) originated from parenchyma and the majority of malignancies originating in the renal pelvis are transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). In the present study, a rare case of RCC growing into the renal pelvis and mimicking TCC in medical imaging is reported. The preoperative differentiation between RCC and TCC is important in order to identify the type of surgical treatment required: Nephrectomy or ureteronephrectomy. The role of ureteroscopy and biopsy is emphasized in the accurate preoperative diagnosis of a renal pelvic mass. Thus, the present study provided fundamental evidence for the pathogenesis of RCC with pelvic extension and challenged the present tumor node metastasis staging system of RCC

Diversity Chromosome Evolution of Ty1-copia Retrotransposons in Pennisetum purpureum Revealed by FISH

Pennisetum purpureum is a potential species for biofuel production. Characterization and chromosomal distribution of retrotransposons could enhance the comprehension of the role and dynamics of the repetitive elements in plants. In this study, a phylogenetic tree was constructed according to the conserved reverse transcriptase sequences and revealed that these Ty1-copia retrotransposons had a typical structure. Analysis showed that the total Ty1-copia retrotransposons had a significant component, as high as 5.12 &times; 103 copy numbers in P. purpureum. Then, the chromosomal pattern of four known lineages were also analyzed with the Pennisetum&nbsp;glaucum genome, which suggested that the Sire/Maximus lineage had the highest copy number and followed by Tork/Angela, Tork/TAR, Retrofit/Ale. Additionally, the chromosomal distribution of total Ty1-copia retrotransposons was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to be a dispersed pattern with weak clustering, mostly near the centromeric regions of P. purpureum chromosomes; interestingly, there were four obvious signals in the subterminal chromosomes. These results suggested that there occurred differential dynamic evolution directions of Ty1-copia retrotransposons within P. purpureum. Furthermore, co-localization of Ty1-copia, 5S rDNA, and 35S rDNA indicated that two chromosome 2 and four chromosome 4 were identified. Concurrently, subterminal signals of Ty1-copia-type retrotransposons were located on four other homologous chromosomes. Altogether, these results shed light on the diversification of Ty1-copia retrotransposons and have the significance for generation of valid chromosomal markers in retrotransposon families

Repetitive Sequence Barcode Probe for Karyotype Analysis in <i>Tripidium arundinaceum</i>

The barcode probe is a convenient and efficient tool for molecular cytogenetics. Tripidium arundinaceum, as a polyploid wild allied genus of Saccharum, is a useful genetic resource that confers biotic and abiotic stress resistance for sugarcane breeding. Unfortunately, the basic cytogenetic information is still unclear due to the complex genome. We constructed the Cot-20 library for screening moderately and highly repetitive sequences from T. arundinaceum, and the chromosomal distribution of these repetitive sequences was explored. We used the barcode of repetitive sequence probes to distinguish the ten chromosome types of T. arundinaceum by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with Ea-0907, Ea-0098, and 45S rDNA. Furthermore, the distinction among homology chromosomes based on repetitive sequences was constructed in T. arundinaceum by the repeated FISH using the barcode probes including Ea-0663, Ea-0267, EaCent, 5S rDNA, Ea-0265, Ea-0070, and 45S rDNA. We combined these probes to distinguish 37 different chromosome types, suggesting that the repetitive sequences may have different distributions on homologous chromosomes of T. arundinaceum. In summary, this method provide a basis for the development of similar applications for cytogenetic analysis in other species

Chronic scrotal pain caused by Mild Epididymitis: Report of a series of 44 cases

Objectives: Patients with idiopathic chronic scrotal pain are challenging to both the general practioner and urologist. In this study, we tried to recognize mild epididymitis as an underrecogniczed cause of idiopathic chronic scrotal pain. Methods: We described a consecutive series of 44 patients with idiopathic chronic scrotal pain characterized by mild scrotal pain, mild to moderate tenderness of epididymis without abnormal swelling of epididymis. We obtained a detailed history and physical examination along with routine urinalysis and Doppler ultrasound to identify the characteristics of this new clinical entity. Results: A consecutive series of 44 patients who were primarily diagnosed as "idiopathic chronic scrotal pain" came to our hospital. All had the sign of mild to moderate tenderness on the affected epididymis without epididynnis enlargement. Doppler ultrasound showed the affected epididymis with normal size and no abnormal change. We treated them with antibiotics orally along with cessation of strenuous activity and all fully recovered from scrotal pain. Conclusion: In this study, we recognized mild epididymitis as an underrecogniczed cause of idiopathic chronic scrotal pain. It was characterized by mild scrotal pain, mild to moderate tenderness of epididymis without abnormal enlargement of epididymis

Adenomatoid tumors of the testis: A report of two cases and review of the literature

Adenomatoid tumors are rare benign neoplasms that normally occur in the scrotum. The clinical symptoms and routine examinations mean that it is difficult to distinguish adenomatoid tumors from malignant intratesticular solid tumors, which may result in unnecessary orchidectomies. The present report describes two adenomatoid tumor patients treated between 2006 and 2013 at the Peking University Shenzhen Hospital who presented with an asymptomatic mass in the scrotum. Based on thorough analysis of clinical features, blood, radiological images and intra-operative findings, limited local excisions were performed, revealing adenomatoid tumors of the testis on pathological examination. The patients were followed up and exhibit no recurrence at the time of writing. The present report also summarizes the morphological and immunohistochemical features of paratesticular tumors and reviews the literature to improve understanding of these rare lesions and assist in accurate diagnosis

Expression and clinical significance of RCDG1 in renal cell carcinoma: A novel renal cancer-associated gene

Recently identified molecular tumor markers have numerous potential applications in the diagnosis, therapy and prognostic prediction of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Through bioinformatics-based screening approaches together with validation of western blot and immunohistochemical data, the present study identified a novel renal cancer-associated gene, preliminarily named Renal Cancer Differentiation Gene 1 (RCDG1), originally known as chromosome 4 open reading frame 46 (C4orf46). RCDG1 expression was evaluated by western blot analysis of RCC and adjacent normal tissues, renal cancer cell lines and normal kidney HEK293T cells. Additionally, RCDG1 expression was assessed in 124 RCC paraffin sections, including 92 paired adjacent normal tissues, by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that RCDG1 was significantly downregulated in RCC tissues as compared with normal adjacent tissues (P<0.001), and the expression of RCDG1 in clear cell (cc) RCC tissues was significantly lower as compared with that of non-ccRCC tissues (P=0.005). Furthermore, statistical analysis revealed RCDG1 expression was negatively correlated with the Fuhrman grade in ccRCC (P=0.008). A reduction in RCDG1 expression may be associated with the oncogenesis of RCC and the differentiation of ccRCC. Further studies may provide more information about the function of RCDG1 gene in RCC