[Follow-up and retrospective investigation of patients with pneumoconiosis in Jiangsu Province, China].

Objective: To investigate the features, changing trend, and rules of pneumoconiosis in Jiangsu Province, China, as well as the health status of patients with pneumoconiosis. Methods: From July to October 2019, the patients with pneumoconiosis, reported up to the end of 2018 in Jiangsu Province, were enrolled as respondents, and follow-up and retrospective investigation were performed. A total of 24405 patients with pneumoconiosis were investigated, and related data were collected from the monitoring system of cause of death for residents, pneumoconiosis network reporting system, occupational disease diagnosis institution, management institutions for the reporting of occupational diseases, and related residents' committee or village committee. The patients with pneumoconiosis, who had been reported, were followed up by telephone or on-site visit to obtain the information on their conditions. A descriptive analysis was performed for age of onset, working years, sex, category of industry, type of pneumoconiosis, annual disease onset, geographic distribution, and medical security. Results: Among the 24405 patients, a male/female ratio was 16.81∶1. Of all 24405 patients, 15948 (65.35%) had stage 1 pneumoconiosis, 5289 (21.67%) had stage 2 pneumoconiosis, and 1637 (6.71%) had stage 3 pneumoconiosis. The mean working years for dust exposure was 16.25±9.95 years for all patients, and the mean working years for dust exposure was 15.80±9.95 years for patients with stage 1 pneumoconiosis, 17.82±9.80 years for patients with stage 2 pneumoconiosis, and 16.31±9.90 years for patients with stage 3 pneumoconiosis. The highest number of cases of pneumoconiosis was reported in Wuxi (5744 cases, accounting for 23.54%) , followed by Zhenjiang (4160 cases, accounting for 17.05%) , Xuzhou (3851 cases, accounting for 15.78%) , Yancheng (3340 cases, accounting for 13.69%) , and Suzhou (2948 cases, accounting for 12.08%) . Major types of pneumoconiosis included silicosis (15392 cases, accounting for 63.07%) and coal workers' pneumoconiosis (5253 cases, accounting for 21.52%) . In this survey, 21115 completed follow-up, among whom 15924 survived and 5191 died, 15924 patients with pneumoconiosis survived, among whom 7461 (46.85%) had an age of ≥70 years and 2515 (15.79%) were exposed to dust for 5-9 years. The industries involved were mainly coal mining and washing industry (5687 cases, accounting for 35.71%) and public management, social security, and social organization (3349 cases, accounting for 21.03%) ; in terms of security, 7999 patients (50.23%) were covered by occupational injury insurance, 946 (5.94%) were compensated by employers, 4537 (28.49%) were covered by basic medical insurance for urban and rural residents, 1590 (9.98%) were covered by critical illness insurance, and 5458 (34.28%) were covered by other types of social security, such as medical assistance and poverty relief. Conclusion: Silicosis and coal worker's pneumoconiosis are the key points for the prevention and treatment of pneumoconiosis in Jiangsu Province, and supervision should be strengthened for industries and regions with serious dust hazards.

Genome-wide polymorphisms between the parents of an elite hybrid rice and the development of a novel set of PCR-based InDel markers.

Genome-wide re-sequencing of the Zhenshan 97 (ZS97) and Milyang 46 (MY46) parents of an elite three-line hybrid rice developed in China resulted in the generation of 9.91 G bases of data with an effective sequencing depth of 11.66x and 11.51x, respectively. Detection of genome-wide DNA polymorphisms, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), short insertions/deletions (InDels; 1-5 bp), and structural variations (SVs), which is an invaluable variation resource for genetic research and molecular marker-assisted breeding, was conducted by comparing whole-genome re-sequencing data. A total of 364,488 SNPs, 61,181 InDels and 6298 SVs were detected in ZS97 and 364,179 SNPs, 61,984 InDels and 6408 SVs were detected in MY46 compared to the 9311 reference sequence. Synteny analysis of the variation revealed a total of 77,013 identical and 181,737 different SNPs and 15,021 identical and 1205 different InDels between ZS97 and MY46, respectively. A total of 180 InDels 3-8 bp in length between ZS97 and MY46 were selected for experimental validation; 160 polymerase chain reaction products were efficiently separated on 6% non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels. Identification of genome-wide variation among the parents of the elite hybrid as well as the set of 160 polymerase chain reaction-based InDel markers will facilitate future genetic studies and the molecular breeding of hybrid rice.

IL-10 gene polymorphism in diabetic retinopathy.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the relationship between the interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene polymorphism and the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: According to the fundus examination report, 420 patients with diabetes were divided into the non-DR group (n=200) and the DR group (n=220). The single nucleotide polymorphisms rs1145612 and rs11567245 in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene were classified by the conformational differential gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: No correlation was found between the polymorphism rs1145612 and the clinical information of DR patients. The polymorphism rs11567245 had correlations with multiple clinical indicators of DR patients, including body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and 2-h postprandial blood glucose (2hBG) (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The IL-10 gene promoter rs1145612 is not related to the occurrence and development of DR, but a relationship exists between the polymorphism rs11567245 and the occurrence and development of DR.

Analysis on additive effects and additive-by-additive epistatic effects of QTLs for yield traits in a recombinant inbred line population of rice.

A linkage map consisting of 158 DNA markers were constructed by using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the indica-indica rice cross Zhenshan 97B x Milyang 46. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conditioning grain yield and five yield component traits were determined at the one-locus and two-locus levels, and genotype-by-environment (GE) interactions were analyzed. Thirty-one QTLs were detected to have significant additive effects for yield traits, of which 12 also exhibited significant epistatic effects. Sixteen significant additive-by-additive (AA) interactions were detected, of which nine occurred between QTLs with own additive effects (M(ep)QTLs), four occurred between QTLs showing epistatic effects only (epQTLs), and three occurred between M(ep)QTLs and epQTLs. Significant GE interactions were found for six QTLs with additive effects and one AA interaction. Generally, the contributions to the phenotypic variation were higher due to QTL main effects than to epistatic effects. The detection of additive effects and AA effects of a QTL interfered with each other, indicating that the detection of QTLs with main effects, as well as the magnitude and directions of the additive effects, might vary depending on their interactions with other loci.

[Comparison of the detection of QTL for yield traits in different generations of a rice cross using two mapping approaches].

In the F2 and recombinant inbred populations of Zhenshan 97B/Milyang 46, RFLP linkage maps were constructed to detect QTL for yield and its component traits. Results indicated that QTL having substantial additive effects were generally detected in both F2 and recombinant inbred populations. In addition, the trait performances were measured either based on a single plant or on replicated trials in the recombinant inbred population hardly affected the detection of QTL of higher effects.

[Mapping genes for rice CMS-WA fertility restoration].

In a population consisting of 227 test-crosses of Zhenshan 97A x (Zhenshan 97B x Milyang 46) F6, a linkage map of 115 RFLP markers was constructed and employed to detect QTL for rice CMS-WA (wild abortive cytoplasmic male sterility) fertility restoration. One QTL having major effect, qRf-10, and 3 QTL having minor effects, qRf-1, qRf-7 and qRf-11, were detected. The four genes mainly acted additively with each other, but epistasis was also evident. Two minor QTL, qRf-1 and qRf-11, were significantly interacted with the major gene qRf-10. It was also found that interaction effects among minor QTL varied greatly depending on whether qRf-10 was present. Two other QTL, qSF-1 and qSF-7, were detected, which did not display any effects on fertility restoration. Instead, they showed effects for increasing SF when qRf-10 was present.

[Expression of hepatitis E virus ORF3 gene fragment in baculovirus system and its immunological character].

OBJECTIVE: To express hepatitis E virus (HEV) ORF3 protein by baculovirus system and provide basis for immunological character research. METHODS: Hepatitis E Virus ORF3 gene fragment was obtained by RT-PCR, ligated with vector pThioHisA for sequencing and then inserted into transfected vector pVL1393 to construct recombinant plasmid. Mediated by Lipofectin Reagent, the recombinant vector and baculovirus linearized DNA (BaculoGold) co-transfected insect cell Sf9 to make recombinant baculovirus. Expressed ORF3 was analyzed for its immunological character by Western blotting, and immunized Kunming Mice. RESULTS: Recombinant ORF3 protein could be recognized by the known positive serum and promoted organism to produce HEV-specific antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant baculovirus can express effectively HEV ORF3, which has HEV specific immunogenic character.

[Purification and immunological characterization of hepatitis E virus recombinant chimeric antigen encoded by ORF2 fragments and ORF3].

OBJECTIVE: To study immunological characteristics of recombinant chimeric HEV antigen. METHODS: Constructed recombinant plasmids pThioHisORF(2.1 + 2.2 + 3), which contains three HEV antigen gene fragments (ORF2.1:6287-6403nt, ORF2.2:6743-7126nt, ORF3), was transformed into E. coli and induced with IPTG. Expressed product P(2.1 + 2.2 + 3) existed in inclusion bodies, was purified by denature SP Sepharose FF cation exchange chromatography. Rabbits and rats were immunized with renatured P(2.1 + 2.2 + 3). The level of IgG in sera from experimental animals and clinical patients were examined with P(2.1 + 2.2 + 3) by ELISA. The characteristics of IgG of immunized animals interacted with recombinant antigen expressed by baculovirus system as well as recombinant chimeric antigen interacted with clinical patients sera were evaluated by Western-blotting. RESULTS: High titer of IgG antibodies, 1:25,600 in rabbits and 1:12,800 in rats, were detected after immunized with P(2.1 + 2.2 + 3). Furthermore, recombinant antigen expressed by baculovirus system was specifically recognized by IgG of experimental animal immunized with P(2.1 + 2.2 + 3), and the purified recombinant chimeric antigen P(2.1 + 2.2 + 3) was specifically reacted with the IgG of clinical patients. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant chimeric antigen appears a promising strategy for detection of and prevention from HEV infection.

[Propagation of hepatitis E virus in several cell lines including human embryo lung diploid cell KMB17].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hepatitis E virus (HEV) sensitive cells and its tissue culture conditions. METHODS: The HEV from dejecta supernatant of patients with acute hepatitis E was amplified and activated by passaged in Rhesus. Then, the positive dejecta samples of infected monkeys were dealt with super-centrifugation and virus for culture was obtained. Various human-derived (including KMB17, A549, BEL7402, and Hela) and non-human primates derived cells (Vero) were inoculated with HEV. Sensitivity of cells to HEV was measured by CPE (cytopathic effect), RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: CPE in KMB17, A549 and BEL7402 cells appeared during 7-9 days, meanwhile, cells shelled during 11-13 days on the first filial generation. The existence of HEV genome +RNA and replicated -RNA was still detectable by RT-PCR after the tenth filial generation. Neither CPE nor amplification of HEV genome RNA could be detected in Hela and Vero cells after the second to fourth filial generation. HEV could also be detected from inoculated KMB17 cells by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: It indicates that KMB17, A549 and BEL7402 cells are sensitive to HEV under the experimental culture conditions, while Hela and Vero cells are insensitive. Tissue culture system of HEV in certain filial generation is established.

Genetic control of rice blast resistance in the durably resistant cultivar Gumei 2 against multiple isolates.

To further our understanding of the genetic control of blast resistance in rice cultivar Gumei 2 and, consequently, to facilitate the utilization of this durably blast-resistant cultivar, we studied 304 recombinant inbred lines of indica rice cross Zhong 156/Gumei 2 and a linkage map comprising 181 markers. An analysis of segregation for resistance against five isolates of rice blast suggested that one gene cluster and three additional major genes that are independently inherited are responsible for the complete resistance of Gumei 2. The gene cluster was located to chromosome 6 and includes two genes mapped previously, Pi25(t), against Chinese rice blast isolate 92-183 (race ZC15) and Pi26(t) against Philippine rice blast isolate Ca89 (lineage 4), and a gene for resistance against Philippine rice blast isolate 92330-5 (lineage 17). Of the two genes conferring resistance against the Philippine isolates V86013 (lineage 15) and C923-39 (lineage 46), we identified one as Pi26(t) and mapped the other onto the distal end of chromosome 2 where Pib is located. We used three components of partial blast resistance, percentage diseased leaf area (DLA), lesion number and lesion size, all measured in the greenhouse, to measure the degree of susceptibility to isolates Ca89 and C923-39 and subsequently identified nine and eight quantitative trait loci (QTLs), respectively. Epistasis was determined to play an important role in partial resistance against Ca89. Using DLA measured on lines susceptible in a blast nursery, we detected six QTLs. While different QTLs were detected for partial resistance to Ca89 and C923-39, respectively, most were involved in the partial resistance in the field. Our results suggest that the blast resistance in Gumei 2 is controlled by multiple major genes and minor genes with epistatic effects.

Iterative interlacing approach for synthesis of computer-generated holograms.

An approach for optimizing computer-generated holograms is discussed. The approach can be summarized most generally as hierarchically designing a number of holograms to add up coherently to a single desired reconstruction. In the case of binary holograms, this approach results in the interlacing technique (IT) and the iterative interlacing technique (IIT). In the IT, a number of subholograms are designed and interlaced together to generate the total binary hologram. The first subhologram is designed to reconstruct the desired image. The succeeding subholograms are designed to correct the remaining error image. In the IIT, the remaining error image after the last subhologram is circulated back to the first subhologram, and the process is continued a number of sweeps until convergence. Both techniques can be used together with most computer-generated-hologram synthesis algorithms and result in a substantial reduction in reconstruction error as well as an increased speed of convergence in the case of iterative algorithms.

Identification of a set of RFLP probes for subspecies differentiation in Oryza sativa L.

Sixty-eight indica-japonica tester-differentiating RFLP probes were tested in seven indica and seven japonica varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L.) with four enzyme digestions (EcoRI, EcoRV, HindIII and DraI). Twenty-one DNA clones were isolated as indica-japonica subspecies-differentiating probes. A set of 13 probes was established as core probes for subspecies differentiation and a pooled blotting analysis was carried out to facilitate the application of RFLP in rice genetics and breeding practice. A dendrogram of 12 wide-compatibility varieties was constructed based on RFLPs detected by 13 core probes with single enzyme digestions. It was speculated that most RFLPs of indica-japonica differentiating probes were generated by insertions/deletions, which may be of great significance for the origin and differentiation of subspecies in Oryza sativa L.

Genetic differentiation of wild relatives of rice as assessed by RFLP analysis.

To study genetic diversity and relationships of wild relatives of rice, 58 accessions of Oryza rufipogon, Oryza nivara, Oryza sativa f. spontanea and the cultivated Oryza sativa, representing a wide range of their distribution, were analyzed using the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. All 30-used RFLP probes detected polymorphisms among the Oryza accessions, with an average of 3.8 polymorphic fragments per probe. Considerable genetic diversity was scored among the Oryza accessions with a similarity coefficient ranging from 0.28 to 0.93; but the cluster analysis of the accessions did not show an apparent grouping based on the species classification, instead they were scattered randomly in different groups. Noticeably, the Oryza accessions from the same geographic region, or near-by geographic regions, tended to be clustered in the same groups. The indica rice varieties showed relatively high genetic diversity and were scattered in different groups of their wild relatives, but the japonica varieties showed a relatively low variation and formed an independent group. It is concluded from the molecular analytical result that: (1) the four Oryza taxa have a remarkably close relationship and their independent species status need to be carefully reviewed; (2) geographic isolation has played a significant role in the differentiation of the Oryza accessions; therefore, a wide geographic range needs to be covered in collecting wild rice germplasm for ex situ conservation; and (3) the conventional conclusion of indica rice being directly domesticated from its ancestral wild species, and japonica rice being derived from indica, gains support from our data.

Gerchberg-Saxton and Yang-Gu algorithms for phase retrieval in a nonunitary transform system: a comparison.

A detailed comparison of the original Gerchberg-Saxton and the Yang-Gu algorithms for the reconstruction of model images from two intensity measurements in a nonunitary transform system is presented. The Yang-Gu algorithm is a generalization of the Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm and is effective in solving the general amplitude-phase-retrieval problem in any linear unitary or nonunitary transform system. For a unitary transform system the Yang-Gu algorithm is identical to the Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm. The reconstruction of images from data corrupted with random noise is also investigated. The simulation results show that the Yang-Gu algorithm is relatively insensitive to the presence of noise in data. In all cases studied the Yang-Gu algorithm always resulted in a highly accurate recovered phase.

Preliminary studies on antigenic variation of poliovirus using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.

Cross-neutralization assays were done using 85 strains of poliovirus type 1 with five groups of monoclonal antibodies. These strains were classified into 10 subgroups which had marked differences in antigenicity. Subgroups P1-2 (28%) and P1-5 (43%) were dominant and have been epidemic in China in recent years. These two subgroups were antigenically different from the Sabin-1 strain, but according to their responses to one group of monoclonal antibodies they had antigenic epitopes in common with the Mahoney and Brunhilde strains. Similarly, 91 strains of type 3 poliovirus were classified into six subgroups with another five groups of monoclonal antibodies. The results showed that strain P3/Yunnan/2/84, which was isolated from cases of poliomyelitis in a local epidemic in the Yunnan province of China in 1984, and strain P3/Finland/23127/84, which was isolated in Finland in 1984, were both antigenically different from the Sabin-3 strain and the reference virulent strain.

RFLP mapping of QTLs for yield and related characters in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Quantitative triat loci (QTLs) for yield and related traits in rice were mapped based on RFLP maps from two indica/indica F2 populations, Tesanai 2/CB and Waiyin 2/CB. In Tesanai 2/CB, 14 intervals carrying QTLs for eight traits were detected, including 3 for grain weight per plant (GWT), 2 for number of panicles per plant (NP), 2 for number of grains per panicle (NG), 1 for total number of spikelets per panicle (TNS), 1 for spikelet fertility (SF), 3 for 1000-grain weight (TGWT), 1 for spikelet density (SD), and 1 for number of first branches per main panicle. The 3 QTLs for GWT were located on chromosomes 1, 2, and 4, with 1 in each chromosome. The additive effect of the single locus ranged from 2.0 g to 9.1 g. A major gene (np4) for NP was detected on chromosome 4 within the interval of RG143-RG214, about 4cM for RG143, and this locus explained 26.1% of the observed phenotypic variance for NP. The paternal allele of this locus was responsible for reduced panicles per plant (3 panicles per plant). In another population, Waiyin 2/CB, 12 intervals containing QTLs for six of the above-mentioned traits were detected, including 3 for GWT, 2 for each of NP, TNS, TGWT and SD, 1 for SF. Three QTLs for GWT were located on chromosome 1, 4, and 5, respectively. The additive effect of the single locus for GWT ranged from 6.7 g to 8.8 g, while the dominance effect was 1.7-11.5 g. QTL mapping in two populations with a common male parent is compared and discussed.

Identifying different types of de-differentiated microspores from indica-japonica F(1) hybrids with subspecies-differentiating RFLP probes in rice.

The indica, japonica and intermediary types of de-differentiated microspores from indica-japonica F(1) hybrids were identified with 11 subspecies-differentiating RELP probes in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The results showed that the distribution of indica, japonica and intermediary types of de-differentiated microspores could be easily detected in a simple and quick way using the RFLP method. Moreover, the microspores from the same F(1) hybrid but inoculated onto different media, or microspores from different F(1) hybrids when inoculated onto the same medium, often displayed distinctive distribution curves of de-differentiated microspores types, indicating that the media employed in this experiment had high selectivity for the de-differentiation of certain types of microspores. The application of the RELP method to de-differentiated microspore identification is of great theoretical and practical significance in rice doubled-haploid breeding.