[Progress of lupus anticoagulant detection in venous thromboembolism].

Lupus anticoagulant is one of the risk factors for venous thromboembolism, and the detection of lupus anticoagulant in patients with venous thromboembolism is important for the choice of treatment options and prognosis of treatment. There was no relevant literature to analyze and summarize the application progress of lupus anticoagulant detection in venous thromboembolism. In order to deepen the understanding of such patients, and help clinicians to conduct reasonable diagnosis, treatment and management of these patients, we reviewed the relevant epidemiology, test precautions, and the value of test results in venous thromboembolism and related treatments.

Significance and positive predictive values of mammographic findings in the Asia-Pacific region: a single-centre study in Taiwan.

AIM: To report positive predictive values (PPVs) of mammographic findings (MFs) of a screening cohort in Taiwan with a view to providing radiologists around the world with adequate information for assessing MFs before recommending biopsy for Asian women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2014 and June 2017, 18,449 women received screening mammography at Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH). Of these women, 1,622 exhibited specific MFs, namely mass (n=518), microcalcification (n=668), focal asymmetry (FA; n=462), and architectural distortion (AD; n=117). The distribution and PPVs of each MF were calculated after stratification based on cancer type, age, and breast density. RESULTS: The age group with the highest proportion of women was 50-59 years (48.1%), and most women presented with dense breasts (68.6%). The most common MF in the recalled women was microcalcification (41.2%) and the least common was AD (7.2%). AD was the most predictive MF for overall breast cancers, invasive carcinomas, and carcinomas in situ. Microcalcification was the second most predictive MF among recalled women for predicting overall breast cancers; however, it was less predictive than mass and FA in women who received a biopsy recommendation or underwent biopsy. CONCLUSION: AD can indicate the likelihood of breast cancer development in Asian women with abnormal screening results. Benign breast diseases are more likely to occur in women recommended for or receiving breast biopsy owing to microcalcification than to mass or FA.

Effects of donor cells' sex on nuclear transfer efficiency and telomere lengths of cloned goats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of donor cells' sex on nuclear transfer efficiency and telomere length of cloned goats from adult skin fibroblast cells. The telomere length of somatic cell cloned goats and their offspring was determined by measuring their mean terminal restriction fragment (TRF) length. The result showed that (i) reconstructed embryos with fibroblast cells from males Boer goats obtained significantly higher kids rate and rate of live kids than those of female embryos and (ii) the telomere lengths of four female cloned goats were shorter compared to their donor cells, but five male cloned goats had the same telomere length with their donor cells, mainly due to great variation existed among them. The offspring from female cloned goats had the same telomere length with their age-matched counterparts. In conclusion, the donor cells' sex had significant effects on nuclear transfer efficiency and telomere lengths of cloned goats.

Discovery of genes related to formothion resistance in oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) by a constrained functional genomics analysis.

Artificial selection can provide insights into how insecticide resistance mechanisms evolve in populations. The underlying basis of such phenomena can involve complex interactions of multiple genes, and the resolution of this complexity first necessitates confirmation that specific genes are involved in resistance mechanisms. Here, we used a novel approach invoking a constrained RNA sequencing analysis to refine the discovery of specific genes involved in insecticide resistance. Specifically, for gene discovery, an additional constraint was added to the traditional comparisons of susceptible vs. resistant flies by the incorporation of a line in which insecticide susceptibility was 'recovered' within a resistant line by the removal of insecticide stress. In our analysis, the criterion for the classification of any gene as related to insecticide resistance was based on evidence for differential expression in the resistant line as compared with both the susceptible and recovered lines. The incorporation of this additional constraint reduced the number of differentially expressed genes putatively involved in resistance to 464, compared with more than 1000 that had been identified previously using this same species. In addition, our analysis identified several key genes involved in metabolic detoxification processes that showed up-regulated expression. Furthermore, the involvement of acetylcholinesterase, a known target for modification in insecticide resistance, was associated with three key nonsynonymous amino acid substitutions within our data. In conclusion, the incorporation of an additional constraint using a 'recovered' line for gene discovery provides a higher degree of confidence in genes identified to be involved in insecticide resistance phenomena.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients with hip fracture: a nationwide study.

SUMMARY: The study was to investigate the outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with hip fractures with a large-scale, population-based, nationwide, case-cohort study using the Taiwan National Health Insurance database. The group has hip fractures at a younger age, higher complication, and mortality rate, which indicate that early intervention is necessary. INTRODUCTION: This study seeks to evaluate the incidence, mortality, and complication rates in RA patients with hip fractures, using a nationwide database. METHODS: Data were collected from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. The study group included 117,129 patients with hip fractures diagnosed from January 2004 to December 2010. Matching based on the propensity of RA patients was used. In total, 1,088 hip fractures were reported among patients with RA. Patients with hip fractures were divided into two groups: those without RA (controls) and those with RA (RA group). The incidence of hip fracture and mortality and complication rates after the hip fracture were then compared between the two groups. RESULTS: RA patients had a significantly higher incidence of hip fracture (3,260/100,000 person-years) compared with the general population (72/100,000 person-years). Hip fractures occurred significantly earlier among RA patients (70.6±5.3 years) compared with the control group (76.1±6.2 years). Cumulative mortality rates at 6-month and 1-year follow-up were significantly higher among patients in the RA group (9.47 and 18.47%) compared to the controls (8.47 and 13.62%) and among RA patients without hip fractures (3.24 and 6.16%). There was a significantly higher incidence of osteomyelitis after hip fracture among the RA group than among the body mass index-, comorbidity-, age-, and sex-matched patients in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to patients without RA, those with RA have a higher incidence of hip fractures at a relatively younger age and with higher complication and mortality rates. Steroid and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, the most common medicine in Taiwanese RA patients, might contribute to the high incidence of fracture and post-op infection. Appropriate early intervention to prevent hip fractures in RA patients is a critical issue in rheumatology care.

Nationwide cohort study of hip fractures: time trends in the incidence rates and projections up to 2035.

SUMMARY: A growing elderly population is expected worldwide, and the burden of hip fractures on health care system will continue to increase. By 2035, there will be a 2.7-fold increase in the number of hip fractures in Taiwan. The study provides quantitative basis for the future distribution of medical resources. INTRODUCTION: Hip fractures have long been recognized as a major public health concern. The study aimed to determine time trends in the incidence of hip fractures and to forecast the number of hip fractures expected in Taiwan up to 2035. METHODS: A nationwide survey was conducted using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 2004 to 2011. A total of 141,397 hip fractures were identified, with a mean of 17,675 fractures/year. Annual incidences of hip fractures were calculated and tested for trends. Projections of the incidence rates of hip fractures and bed days associated with hip fractures were calculated using Poisson regression on the historical incidence rates in combination with population projections from 2012 to 2035. RESULTS: The incidence rates of hip fracture during 2004-2011 were 317 and 211 per 100,000 person-years among women and men, respectively. Over this 8-year period, the age-standardized incidence of hip fracture decreased by 13.4% among women and 12.2% among men. Despite the decline in the age-standardized incidence, the absolute number of hip fractures increased owing to the aging population. The number of hip fractures is expected to increase from 18,338 in 2010 to 50,421 in 2035-a 2.7-fold increase. The number of bed days for 2010 and 2035 was estimated at 161,248 and 501,995, respectively, representing a 3.1-fold increase. CONCLUSIONS: The socioeconomic impact of hip fractures will be high in the near future. This study provides a quantitative basis for future policy decisions to serve this need.

Range-wide phylogeography and conservation genetics of a narrowly endemic stream salamander, Pachyhynobius shangchengensis (Caudata, Hynobiidae): implications for conservation.

The Shangcheng stout salamander (Pachyhynobius shangchengensis) is an endangered amphibian endemic to the Dabie Mountains, southeast China, and is currently threatened by habitat loss and illegal poaching. Here we used the mitochondrial DNA control region sequence (768 bp) to conduct a comprehensive investigation of genetic diversity, phylogeographic pattern, and demographic history of the species across its geographic distribution to assist its conservation. We concluded that the levels of genetic variation are relatively low in all four populations. Analysis of molecular variance indicated that the most likely phylogeographic pattern is [JGT] [KHJ] [TM, BYM]. Two distinct clades were identified in the phylogenetic tree of 28 haplotypes, corresponding to the two southern populations (TM, BYM) and two northern populations (JGT, KHJ). Significant population differentiation (FST) was detected among all populations. Among the four populations, historical demographic analyses (e.g., the g parameter, the Tajima D test, and the Fu Fs test) did not reveal definite information on population expansion except for the BYM population, which had undergone a strong population expansion event. Based on the analysis of a Bayesian skyline plot, the total population underwent a significant population fluctuation around 20 kya. This may have been triggered by the end of the last glacial maximum. In conclusion, the existence of three evolutionarily significant units (BMY-TM, KHJ, and JGT) and four management units (BMY, TM, KHJ, and JGT) is supported by our study.

Phase-specific cone beam computed tomography reduces reconstructed volume loss of moving phantom.

PURPOSE: The accurate volumetric calculation of moving targets/organs is required to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for replanning purposes. This study was aimed to correct the reconstructed volume losses of moving phantoms by phase-specific CBCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Planning fan-beam CT (FBCT) of five hepatobiliary/gastrointestinal/pancreatic cancer patients were acquired under active breathing control and compared with free-breathing CBCT for kidney volumes. Three different-sized ball phantoms were scanned by FBCT and CBCT. Images were imported to a planning system to compare the reconstructed volumes. The phantoms were moved longitudinally on an oscillator with different amplitudes/frequencies. The phase-specific projections of CBCT for moving phantoms were selected for volume reconstruction. RESULTS: The differences in reconstructed volumes of static small, medium, large phantoms between FBCT and CBCT were - 6.7%, - 2.3%, and - 2.0%, respectively. With amplitudes of 7.5-20 mm and frequencies of 8-16 oscillations/min, volume losses on CBCT were comparable with FBCT in large moving phantoms (range 9.1-27.2%). Amplitudes were more subject to volume losses than frequencies. On phase-specific CBCT, volume losses were reduced to 2.3-6.5% by reconstruction using 2-3 projections at end/midoscillation phase. CONCLUSION: Amplitude had more impact than frequency on volume losses of moving phantoms on CBCT. Phase-specific CBCT reduced volume losses.

Retraction Note: LncRNA RUSC1-AS1 promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells by epigenetic silence of KLF2 and CDKN1A.

The article "LncRNA RUSC1-AS1 promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells by epigenetic silence of KLF2 and CDKN1A, by C.-C. Hu, Y.-W. Liang, J.-L. Hu, L.-F. Liu, J.-W. Liang, R. Wang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (15): 6602-6611-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201908_18548-PMID: 31378902" has been retracted by the authors. After publication, the article was questioned on PubPeer. Concerns were raised about Figure 2, Table I, and the reliability of the published results. The same authors stated that they want to rearrange the manuscript and provide readers with a more precise model. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/18548.

An artificial intelligence algorithm for analyzing acetaminophen-associated toxic hepatitis.

INTRODUCTION: Very little artificial intelligence (AI) work has been performed to investigate acetaminophen-associated hepatotoxicity. The objective of this study was to develop an AI algorithm for analyzing weighted features for toxic hepatitis after acetaminophen poisoning. METHODS: The medical records of 187 patients with acetaminophen poisoning treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital were reviewed. Patients were sorted into two groups according to their status of toxic hepatitis. A total of 40 clinical and laboratory features recorded on the first day of admission were selected for algorithm development. The random forest classifier (RFC) and logistic regression (LR) were used for artificial intelligence algorithm development. RESULTS: The RFC-based AI model achieved the following results: accuracy = 92.5 ± 2.6%; sensitivity = 100%; specificity = 60%; precision = 92.3 ± 3.4%; and F1 = 96.0 ± 1.8%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was approximately 0.98. The LR-based AI model achieved the following results: accuracy = 92.00 ± 2.9%; sensitivity = 100%; specificity = 20%; precision = 92.8 ± 3.4%; recall = 98.8 ± 3.4%; and F1 = 95.6 ± 1.5%. The AUROC was approximately 0.68. The weighted features were calculated, and the 10 most important weighted features for toxic hepatitis were aspartate aminotransferase (ALT), prothrombin time, alanine aminotransferase (AST), time to hospital, platelet count, lymphocyte count, albumin, total bilirubin, body temperature and acetaminophen level. CONCLUSION: The top five weighted features for acetaminophen-associated toxic hepatitis were ALT, prothrombin time, AST, time to hospital and platelet count.

Effects of PPARγ agonist pioglitazone on cardiac fibrosis in diabetic mice by regulating PTEN/AKT/FAK pathway.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the role of pioglitazone (PIO), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) agonist, in cardiac fibrosis of diabetic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 adult male C57/B6 mice were divided into 3 groups using a random number table, namely, control group (Sham group, n=20), diabetic cardiomyopathy group (DCM group, n=20), DCM + PIO group (n=20). Streptozocin (STZ) was injected into mice at a dose of 125 mg/Kg to induce the model of diabetes in vivo. After successful induction, mice in DCM + PIO group were intragastrically given PIO at 10 mg/kg/d once a day for 6 weeks. Meanwhile, those in Sham group and DCM group were given the same volume of normal saline. After 6 weeks, ejection fraction % (EF%), fraction shortening % (FS%) and heart rate of mice in each group were examined via echocardiography. Picrosirius red (PSR) staining assay was conducted to detect collagen deposition in myocardial tissues of mice in each group. The protein expression level of PPARγ in mouse myocardial tissues in each group was measured through Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining assays. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining assay was carried out to evaluate the myocardial hypertrophy of mice in each group. The protein expression level of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) in mouse myocardial tissues in each group was measured through immunohistochemical staining assay. In addition, Western blotting was employed to detect the expression of proteins related to the phosphate and tension homology deleted on chromsome ten (PTEN)/protein kinase B (AKT)/focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling pathway in myocardial tissues of mice in each group. RESULTS: The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression levels of PPARγ in mouse myocardial tissues were significantly lower in DCM group than those in Sham group (p<0.05). PPARγ agonist PIO could significantly increase the protein expression of PPARγ in myocardial tissues of DCM mice. The results of cardiac Doppler ultrasound revealed that PIO significantly upregulated EF% and FS% in DCM mice (p<0.05). Besides, PIO remarkably reduced collagen deposition and TGF-ß protein expression in myocardial tissues in DCM mice (p<0.05). H&E staining results showed that PIO notably attenuated myocardial hypertrophy in DCM mice (p<0.05). Furthermore, it was discovered that PIO markedly elevated PTEN protein in myocardial tissues of DCM mice and inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and FAK proteins (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The protective effect of PIO against cardiac fibrosis in diabetic mice may be related to its regulation on the PTEN/AKT/FAK signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that PIO is expected to become a targeted drug for the treatment of DCM in clinical practice.

Cytotoxicity of chlorhexidine on human osteoblastic cells is related to intracellular glutathione levels.

AIM: To evaluate the mechanisms of cytotoxicity of chlorhexidine (CHX) in human osteoblastic cells in vitro. METHODOLOGY: Cytotoxicity, cell proliferation and collagen synthesis assays were performed to elucidate the toxic effects of CHX on the human osteoblastic cell line U2OS. To determine whether glutathione (GSH) levels were important in the cytotoxicity of CHX, cells were pre-treated with 2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (OTZ) to boost GSH levels or buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) to deplete GSH. RESULTS: CHX demonstrated a cytotoxic effect to U2OS cells in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The 50% inhibition concentration of CHX was approximately 0.005%. CHX also inhibited cell proliferation and collagen synthesis (P < 0.05). The addition of OTZ acted as a protective effect on the CHX-induced cytotoxicity (P < 0.05). In contrast, the addition of BSO enhanced the CHX-induced cytotoxicity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The levels of CHX tested inhibited cell growth, proliferation and collagen synthesis on U2OS cells. CHX has significant potential for periapical toxicity. GSH depletion might be one of the mechanisms underlying CHX cytotoxicity.

Generalized gangliosidosis: impaired cleavage of galactose from a mucopolysaccharide and a glycoprotien.

We have demonstrated a tenfold (or greater) reduction of the cleavage of galactose from a mucopolysaccharide and a glycoprotein in generalized gangliosidosis, a lysosomal beta-galactosidase deficiency disease. The bony abnormalities in this disease may be due to defective catabolism of mucopolysaccharides in connective tissue.

LncRNA RUSC1-AS1 promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells by epigenetic silence of KLF2 and CDKN1A.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the potential function of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) RUSC1-AS1 in regulating the progression of breast cancer (BCa) and the underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: RUSC1-AS1 level in BCa tissues and adjacent normal tissues was first determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The correlation between RUSC1-AS1 expression with tumor size, clinical stage and overall survival of BCa patients was analyzed. Influences of RUSC1-AS1 knockdown on viability, clonality, cell cycle and apoptosis of BCa cell lines MCF-7 and BT549 were evaluated. Target genes of RUSC1-AS1 were predicted by bioinformatics, and their interaction was further confirmed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and rescue experiments. RESULTS: A higher abundance of RUSC1-AS1 was identified in BCa tissues relative to controls. The expression level of RUSC1-AS1 was positively correlated to tumor size and clinical grade, but negatively correlated to the overall survival of BCa patients. The silence of RUSC1-AS1 markedly inhibited viability, clonality, cell cycle progression, and induced apoptosis of MCF-7 and BT549 cells. Finally, CDKN1A and KLF2 were found to be the target genes of RUSC1-AS1, which were tumor-suppressor genes involved in RUSC1-AS1-mediated BCa progression. CONCLUSIONS: RUSC1-AS1 is highly expressed in BCa, which promotes the progression of BCa through mediating CDKN1A and KLF2. RUSC1-AS1 may serve as a potential hallmark for BCa.

Identification of sequence changes in live attenuated goose parvovirus vaccine strains developed in Asia and Europe.

Live attenuated vaccines have been used for control of the disease caused by goose parvovirus (GPV), but the mechanism involved in attenuation of GPV remains elusive. This report presents the complete nucleotide sequences of two live attenuated strains of GPV (82-0321V and VG32/1) that were independently developed in Taiwan and Europe, together with the parental strain of 82-0321V and a field strain isolated in Taiwan in 2006. Sequence comparisons showed that 82-0321V and VG32/1 had multiple deletions and substitutions in the inverted terminal repeats region when compared with their parental strain or the field virus, but these changes did not affect the formation of the hairpin structure essential for viral replication. Moreover, 82-0321V and VG32/1 had five amino acid changes in the non-structural protein, but these changes were located at positions distant from known functional motifs in the non-structural protein. In contrast, 82-0321V had nine changes and VG32/1 had 11 changes in their capsid proteins (VP1), and the majority of these changes occurred at positions close to the putative receptor binding sites of VP1, as predicted using the structure of adeno-associated virus 2 as the model system. Taken together, the results suggest that changes in sequence near the receptor binding sites of VP1 might be responsible for attenuation of GPV. This is the first report of complete nucleotide sequences of GPV other than the virulent B strain, and suggests a possible mechanism for attenuation of GPV.

Association between open-angle glaucoma and neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a case-control study.

PurposeTo investigate the relationship between previously diagnosed open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using a routine insurance dataset.MethodsThis study retrieved data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005. We found 3282 patients with neovascular AMD as cases and 13 128 sex- and age-matched subjects without neovascular AMD as controls. Conditional logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the association of neovascular AMD with previously diagnosed OAG among the sampled patients.ResultsOf the 16 410 sampled patients, 2.55% had previously diagnosed OAG, 5.06 and 1.92% for the cases and controls, respectively. The logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) of previously diagnosed OAG for cases was 2.45 (OR: 2.45; 95% confidence interval: 1.99-3.01) compared with the controls after adjusting for potential confounders. In addition, the adjusted ORs for previously diagnosed OAG were similar for patients with AMD in both genders (with an adjusted OR of 2.49 for males and 2.39 for females). Furthermore, it shows that OAG was significantly associated with neovascular AMD regardless of sex even after adjusting for monthly income, geographic region, urbanisation level, and comorbidities (with adjusted ORs of 2.49 for males and 2.39 for females).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that patients with neovascular AMD had a higher odds of previously diagnosed OAG compared with those patients without neovascular AMD regardless of sex.

[Reducing maternal parenting stress of children with autism spectrum disorder: father's involvement].

Objective: To explore the relationship between fathers' nursing time and maternal parenting stress of children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD). Method: Mothers of 98 ASD children who were first diagnosed in the department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University during June 2015 to January 2016 were included in the ASD group, with mothers of 92 typical children from a Community Maternal and Child Health Hospital and a kindergarten in the control group. The evaluation of parenting stress, parents' nursing time and other related factors were cross-sectionally analyzed. Interview was conducted with the following tools: Parental Stress Index-Short Form(PSI-SF)for maternal parenting stress, and self-made General Parenting Information Questionnaire for nursing time of both parents and other related factors. The relationships were analyzed by Multiple Linear Regression analysis and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test. Result: Maternal parenting stress of ASD children had a significant negative correlation with father's nursing time in total score of parenting stress, PCDI domain and PD domain (t=-2.76, -2.98, -2.79; P=0.007, 0.004, 0.006), within which PD domain also included family annual income and mothers' nursing time (R(2)=0.22, 0.24, 0.25); while no such correlation was found in control group in terms of father's nursing time(P=0.22, 0.42, 0.06). Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test showed that in 62 (63.3%) double-income ASD families and 72(78.3%) double-income typical families, there were significant differences between ASD fathers' and ASD mothers'and typical fathers'nursing time(2.0(0.5, 2.1)vs. 3.5(2.4, 6.0)vs. 3.0(2.0, 4.7)h, t=-86.32、-49.65, all P<0.01). Conclusion: Lack of fathers' involvements was common in ASD children's families. Increasing these fathers' nursing time, as well as their enthusiasm and initiative in the family intervention could relieve maternal parenting stress and improve the intervention pattern of ASD children.

The disordering effect of hyoscyamine drugs on phospholipid membranes.

The effect of hyoscyamine drugs on the fluidity of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR), fluorescence polarization and freeze-fracture electron microscopic techniques. DSC results indicate that anisodamine, anisodine, atropine and scopolamine all increase the fluidity of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes but with different degrees of efficiency. The increasing of fluidity of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes by hyoscyamine drugs is in a dose-dependent way. Increase of the fluidity of phosphatidylcholine liposomes by anisodamine was also shown by the other three methods. The possible mechanism of hyoscyamine-membrane interaction is discussed.

Porcine amelogenin is expressed from the X and Y chromosomes.

Amelogenin is the major enamel matrix component in developing teeth. In eutherian mammals, amelogenin is expressed from the X chromosome only, or from both the X and Y chromosomes. Two classes of porcine amelogenin cDNA clones have been characterized, but the chromosomal localization of the gene(s) encoding them is unknown. To determine if there are sex-based differences in the expression of porcine amelogenin, we paired PCR primers for exons 1a, 1b, 7a, and 7b, and amplified enamel organ-derived cDNA separately from porcine males and females. The results show that exons 1a/2a and 7a are always together and can be amplified from both males (XY) and females (XX). Exons 1b/2b and 7b are also always paired, but can be amplified only from females. We conclude that porcine amelogenin is expressed from separate genes on the X and Y chromosomes, and not, as previously proposed, from a single gene with two promoters.

Treatments of oil-refinery and steel-mill wastewaters by mesocosm constructed wetland systems.

In this study, two types of industrial wastewater, oil-refining and steel-milling, were selected for investigating their feasibility of treatment by mesocosm constructed wetland systems. The secondly treated effluents from the wastewater treatment plants were directly discharged into the systems controlled at different flow rates. Three wetland mesocosms were installed in the two industries: mesocosms A and B were in the oil refinery, and mesocosm C was in the steel mill. The substratum media used in wetland systems were sand (mesocosm A) and gravel (mesocosms B and C), while the vegetation types selected were reeds (mesocosms A and B) and mixed species of reeds and cattails (mesocosm C). The flow regimes were controlled as free water surface (FWS) and subsurface flow (SSF) for the sand- and gravel-beds, respectively. According to the experimental results, we found that the system treating oil-refining wastewater performed better than that treating steel-milling wastewater learned by comparing the removal efficiencies of COD, total N and total P. In addition, it was found that for oil-refining wastewater treatments, the SSF wetland system (mesocosm B) performed better than FWS (mesocosm A) wetland system when comparing both of their removal of pollutants and growth of vegetation. Besides, the effluents from these two industrial wetland treatment systems might be reclaimed and reused for boiler water, cooling, cleaning and miscellaneous purposes in industries. Further treatments are required if the constructed wetland effluents are thought about being reused for processing in industries.