[Transcriptome profiling of differentiated lenses through RNA sequencing].

Objective: To gain insight into the transcriptional landscape including mRNA, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), and circular RNA (circRNA) of the differentiated lens. Methods: Experiment research. The total RNAs of the differentiated lenses were extracted and purified. Total RNAs of 16-week, 23-week, and 25-week differentiated lenses were then sequenced using Illumina HiSeq 2500, and analyzed using bioinformatics tools. The top expressed and differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs were screened. The expressions of overlap genes among the 16-week, 23-week, and 25-week lenses were analyzed by Venn diagram. The expression tendency of lens-specific genes was obtained and verified with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: A total of 67 518 311 mapped reads were obtained from differentiated lenses at 16 weeks, 99 440 160 at 23 weeks, and 67 262 320 at 25 weeks. The gene overlap expression analysis showed 740 of the top 1 000 highly expressed mRNAs, 170 of the top 300 highly expressed lncRNAs, and 69 of the top 100 highly expressed circRNAs overlapping expressed in lenses at 16, 23, and 25 weeks, respectively. Lens specific gene expression analysis revealed that the expression of crystallin (CRY) AA, CRYGA, CRYGB, CRYGC, CRYGD, CRYGEP, and CRYGS was upregulated, while the expression of gap junction (GJ) A3 and GJA8 was downregulated with the differentiation of lenses. Conclusion: The lens transcriptome profile shows that more than half of the high expressed mRNA, lncRNA and circRNA at different differentiation stages are overlapping expressed, and all of them have high expression of lens specific protein genes, such as CRY, GJ etc. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 356-363).

Genetic analysis of molecular markers for propamocarb residue in Cucumis sativus using quantitative trait locus mapping.

The use of pesticides to protect plants against harmful organisms, such as pathogenic microorganisms, is one of the most effective ways to improve agricultural production. However, the continuous use of pesticides might present a risk to human health, animals, and the environment. In this study, two cucumber (Cucumis sativus) varieties containing different levels of pesticide residues, D9320 and D0351, were selected to establish an F2 population. A genetic model and genetic linkage map were constructed. The results showed that the heredity of pesticide residues was dominated by an additive effect and was significantly influenced by non-additive factors in cucumber. QCp1 was detected as a quantitative trait locus (QTL) that might be involved in regulating the levels of pesticide residue in cucumber. Moreover, the cucumber genetic map was compared with the LG6 map, and the results indicated that this QTL was closely related to the level of pesticide residue in cucumber.

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with end-stage renal disease and the development of high-turnover renal osteodystrophy in a Chinese population.

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; TaqI and ApaI) in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been identified as risk factors for the progression of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The purpose of our study was to confirm the reported association of these two SNPs with ESRD risk and progression of renal osteodystrophy in a Chinese Han population. A total of 452 ESRD patients and 904 matched-pair controls (based on age, gender, and body mass index) were included. Identification of VDR gene polymorphisms was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method with TaqI and ApaI restriction enzymes. There was no association of the TaqI polymorphism with ESRD risk. However, significant associations were seen between ApaI (rs7975232) polymorphism and ESRD risk in the heterozygote model (AC/ AA; P = 0.002; OR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.14-1.83), homozygote model (CC/AA; P = 0.007; OR = 1.8, 95%CI = 1.17-2.85) genotypes for rs7975232, allelic model (P < 0.001; OR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.15-1.64), dominant model (P = 0.001; OR = 1.5, 95%CI = 1.19-1.87), and recessive model (P = 0.046; OR = 0.6, 95%CI = 0.42-1.00) between cases and healthy controls Moreover, we found a significant correlation between the genotype and allele distribution of ApaI and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels, where allele C carriers have increased iPTH levels. The ApaI polymorphism in the VDR gene appears to be a susceptibility locus for ESRD in Chinese individuals, and allele C carriers may have an increased risk of high-turnover renal osteodystrophy.

Inheritance and quantitative trait locus analysis of low-light tolerance in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).

The low-light tolerance index was investigated in a set of 123 F2:3 lines during the seedling stage across 2 seasons, and the heredity of low-light tolerance was assessed via different ge-netic analysis methods. The results of the classical analysis showed that low-light tolerance is controlled by an additive-dominant poly-gene, and the polygenic inheritance rate of separate generations was >30%. In addition, 5 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) exhibited a low-light tolerance index across both seasons, including 2 QTLs (Llti1.1 and Llti1.2) on the 1st linkage group (variances of 6.0 and 9.5%) and 3 QTLs (Llti2.1, Llti2.1, and Llti2.1) on the 2nd linkage group (variances of 10.1-14.0%). The classical analysis method and QTL information on the heredity of low-light tolerance showed that it is controlled by several major genes and a mini-polygene. The results will facilitate the breeding of resistance to low-light stress in cucumber.

[A case-control study on effect of occupational factor exposures on carotid atherosclerosis in steel workers].

Objective: To investigate the effect of occupational factor exposures on carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) in steel workers. Methods: A frequency matched case-control study was conducted by age and factory proportion. A total of 1 033 workers with carotid atherosclerosis diagnosed by ultrasonography examination from February to June 2017 were selected as case group, and 1 033 workers without carotid atherosclerosis indicated by physical examination at the same time were selected as control group. The basic information of the workers, such as diet pattern, lifestyle, serum biochemical index and occupation history, were collected. The effects of occupational hazards on carotid atherosclerosis were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The combined effects of various occupational hazards on carotid atherosclerosis were evaluated by environmental risk score (ERS). Results: High temperature, noise, occupational stress and night shift days increased the risk of CAS. With the increase of cumulative high temperature and noise exposure, occupational stress and night shift days, the risk of CAS increased (trend text: χ(2)=37.53, P<0.01; χ(2)=16.98, P<0.01; χ(2)=13.93, P<0.01; χ(2)=5.59, P<0.05). After adjustment of covariates, compared with P(20) group, the risk of carotid artery in P(40), P(60), P(80) and P(100) groups were as follows: high temperature 1.61 (1.19-2.18), 1.69 (1.25-2.30), 1.84 (1.36-2.49), 2.43 (1.77-3.34); noise 1.70 (1.15-2.52), 1.68 (1.20-2.35), 1.80 (1.34-2.42), 2.23 (1.53-3.26); occupational stress 1.39 (1.04- 1.86), 1.41 (1.06-1.89), 1.45(1.09-1.95), 1.48 (1.10-1.98); night shift days 1.58 (1.08-2.33), 1.66 (1.12-2.47), 1.55 (1.04-2.31), 1.76 (1.17-2.64). The results of the environmental risk score showed that the risk of carotid atherosclerosis increased with the increase of ERS (ERS trend text χ(2)=51.61, P<0.01); RCS results showed that there was a linear relationship between ERS and CAS in steel workers(P<0.01). Linear dose-response relationship existed between ERS and CAS (nonlinear test P>0.05). Conclusions: High temperature, noise, occupational stress and night shift days were related to carotid atherosclerosis. Linear dose-response relationship existed between ERS and CAS in steel workers.

[Effect of occupational factors on pre-diabetes mellitus among iron and steel workers].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of pre-diabetes mellitus (PDM) and the impact of occupation-related factors on PDM, among workers from a steel company in Tangshan city, Hebei province. Methods: Clustering sampling method was used to select a steel company and to carry out occupational health-related physical checkup programs for eligible workers who had working in this company for longer than one year. The study began in February and ended up in June, 2017. Workers who were with FPG level as ≤6.9 mmol/L, and free from diabetes, were selected as the subjects for this study. Questionnaires were used and physical examinations and FPG testing conducted. Results: The total number of subjects in this study was 4 173, of which 2 648 appeared as pre-diabetic, with the prevalence rate as 63.4%. Increase of the PDM prevalence was in parallel with the length of service, among the workers. The risk for the pre-diabetes in those who worked more than 8 hours per day was 1.696 times higher than those who worked less than or equal to 8 h/d (95%CI:1.517-1.937). Compared with those workers without exposures to heat, noise or carbon monoxides, the proportion of pre-diabetes appeared higher in workers exposed to heat, noise or CO with OR=1.782 (95%CI: 1.205-2.636), 1.815 (95%CI: 1.209-2.794) and 1.653 (95%CI: 1.158-2.361), respectively. Risks for those who were exposed to heat or noise were higher than those who were free from exposure to any occupational hazards (OR=2.098, 95%CI: 1.296-3.397). Prevalence rates of pre-diabetes in those who were exposed to heat, noise or CO, were higher than that those who were not. Conclusion: Working hours and exposures to heat, noise or CO appeared as influential factors on PDM.