First report of the sting nematode Belonolaimus longicaudatus infecting bermudagrass in Barbados.

In 2016, "Tifdwarf" hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) grown on a golf green built to the United States Golf Association recommendations in Barbados started to show irregular significant chlorotic patches followed by gradual thinning and decline of turfgrass. A survey was conducted in May 2016 to determine the presence of plant-parasitic nematodes. The results revealed the presence of the plant-parasitic sting nematode Belonolaimus longicaudatus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. longicaudatus associated with bermudagrass in Barbados.In 2016, "Tifdwarf" hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) grown on a golf green built to the United States Golf Association recommendations in Barbados started to show irregular significant chlorotic patches followed by gradual thinning and decline of turfgrass. A survey was conducted in May 2016 to determine the presence of plant-parasitic nematodes. The results revealed the presence of the plant-parasitic sting nematode Belonolaimus longicaudatus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. longicaudatus associated with bermudagrass in Barbados.

Genome-wide analysis of salinity-stress induced DNA methylation alterations in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) using the Me-DIP sequencing technology.

Cytosine DNA methylation is a significant form of DNA modification closely associated with gene expression in eukaryotes, fungi, animals, and plants. Although the reference genomes of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) have been publically available, the salinity-stress-induced DNA methylome alterations in cotton are not well understood. Here, we constructed a map of genome-wide DNA methylation characteristics of cotton leaves under salt stress using the methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing method. The results showed that the methylation reads on chromosome 9 were most comparable with those on the other chromosomes, but the greatest changes occurred on chromosome 8 under salt stress. The DNA methylation pattern analysis indicated that a relatively higher methylation density was found in the upstream2k and downstream2k elements of the CDS region and CG-islands. Almost 94% of the reads belonged to LTR-gspsy and LTR-copia, and the number of methylation reads in LTR-gypsy was four times greater than that in LTR-copia in both control and stressed samples. The analysis of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) showed that the gene elements upstream2k, intron, and downstream2k were hypomethylated, but the CDS regions were hypermethylated. The GO (Gene Ontology) analysis suggested that the methylated genes were most enriched in cellular processes, metabolic processes, cell parts and catalytic activities, which might be closely correlated with response to NaCl stress. In this study, we completed a genomic DNA methylation profile and conducted a DMR analysis under salt stress, which provided valuable information for the better understanding of epigenetics in response to salt stress in cotton.

Effects of miRNA-143 and the non-coding RNA MALAT1 on the pathogenesis and metastasis of HeLa cells.

Cervical cancer is a common female malignancy of global dimensions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in the development, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis of tumors. The non-coding RNA MALAT1 participates in various physiological processes that are important for proper functioning of the body. Here, we analyzed the expression of miRNA-143 and MALAT1 in HeLa cells to evaluate their roles in the occurrence and metastasis of cervical cancer. HeLa cells were divided into five groups depending on the treatment conditions, namely, transfected with miRNA-143, MALAT1, miRNA-143 inhibitor and the MALAT1 inhibitor, and the untreated control. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the expression of miRNA-143 and MALAT1, the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to assess proliferation, the trans-well assay to study cell invasion and migration, and western blot to analyze the levels of E-cadherin and vimentin. The proliferation of HeLa cells increased upon treatment with the miRNA-143 inhibitor and decreased when treated with the MALAT1 inhibitor, compared to the proliferation of the groups that were transfected with miRNA-143 and MALAT1, respectively (P < 0.05). Thus, miRNA-143 decreased cell invasion and migration potency, downregulated vimentin and upregulated E-cadherin expression, while MALAT1 had the opposite effects. In conclusion, the low expression of miRNA-143 and high expression of MALAT1 in cervical cancer cells could possibly potentiate cell invasion/migration and alter the levels of vimentin and E-cadherin.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of CIPK genes in diploid cottons.

Calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinase (CIPK) plays a key regulatory role in the growth, development, and stress resistance of plants by combining with phosphatase B subunit-like protein. In the present study, CIPK genes were identified in the whole genomes of diploid cottons and their sequences were subjected to bioinformatic analyses. The results demonstrated that the CIPK gene family was unevenly distributed in two diploid cotton genomes. Forty-one CIPKs were identified in the D genome, mainly located on chromosomes 9 and 10, whereas thirty-nine CIPKs were identified in the A genome, mainly located on chromosomes 8 and 11. Based on the gene structures, CIPKs in cotton could be classified into two types: one that is intron-rich and the other that has few introns. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the CIPK gene family members in cotton had close evolutionary relationships with those of the dicotyledonous plants, such as Arabidopsis thaliana and poplar. The analysis of transcriptome sequence data demonstrated that there were differences in gene expression in different tissues, indicating that the expression of the CIPKs in cotton had spatio-temporal specificity. The expression analysis of CIPKs under abiotic stresses (drought, salt, and low temperature) in different tissues at trefoil stage demonstrated that these stresses induced the expression of CIPKs.

SSR-based association mapping of salt tolerance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

The identification of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with salt tolerance in cotton contributes to molecular assisted selection (MAS), which can improve the efficiency of traditional breeding. In this study, 134 samples of upland cotton cultivars were selected. The seedling emergence rates were tested under 0.3% NaCl stress. A total of 74 SSR markers were used to scan the genomes of these samples. To identify SSR markers associated with salt tolerance, an association analysis was performed between salt tolerance and SSR markers using TASSEL 2.1, based on the analysis of genetic structure using Structure 2.3.4. The results showed that the seedling emergence rates of 134 cultivars were significantly different, and 27 salt-sensitive and 10 salt-tolerant cultivars were identified. A total of 148 loci were found in 74 SSR markers involving 246 allelic variations, which ranged from 2 to 7 with an average of 3.32 per SSR marker. The gene diversity ranged from 0.0295 to 0.4959, with the average being 0.2897. The polymorphic information content ranged from0.0290 to 0.3729, with the average being 0.2381. This natural population was classified into two subgroups by Structure 2.3.4, containing 89 and 45 samples, respectively. Finally, eight SSR sites associated with salt tolerance ware found through an association analysis, with the rate of explanation ranging from 2.91 to 7.82% and an average of 4.32%. These results provide reference data for the use MAS for salt tolerance in cotton.

Risk factors associated with aortic remodeling in patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection after thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

To determine the risk factors associated with adverse aortic remodeling after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection, we performed a retrospective analysis of 54 patients between January 2009 and June 2012 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. All patients underwent TEVAR of the descending thoracic aorta. Multiple-logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with aortic remodeling. True-lumen and false-lumen volumes were increased (P < 0.001) and decreased (P < 0.001) after surgery, respectively. Therefore, the remodeling index increased after surgery (1.04 ± 0.6 to 2.06 ± 1.12, P < 0.001). Remodeling index and true-lumen volume were higher in the favorable aortic remodeling group compared to the adverse aortic remodeling group (P < 0.001), while the false-lumen volume was lower in the favorable aortic remodeling group (P < 0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed a branch originating from the false lumen (OR = 39.9, P < 0.01) and multiple tears (OR = 27.4, P < 0.01) to be independent risk factors for adverse aortic remodeling. Therefore, a branch originating from the false lumen and multiple tears were determined to be independent risk factors for adverse aortic remodeling after TEVAR in patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection.

Association of CHRNA4 gene rs1044396 and rs1044397 polymorphisms with Parkinson's disease symptoms and smoking.

We assessed the CHRNA4 exon 5 rs1044396 and rs1044397 polymorphisms and investigated their relationship with Parkinson's disease (PD) severity and several non-motor symptoms. Ninety-seven patients with primary PD and 108 controls were recruited, and their smoking history identified. Patients with PD were assessed using the unified PD rating scale (UPDRS), Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) grade, Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD), visual analogue 10-points scale (VAS), and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing was performed on genomic DNA to identify polymorphic variants. Statistical analysis demonstrated that there were no gender differences in rs1044396(C→T) and rs1044397(G→A) frequencies. More smokers were identified among carriers of rs1044396 CT/TT genotypes. We also found no differences between PD and control groups in frequencies of either polymorphism. However, in women, PD onset was latest in rs1044397 GA/AA (P = 0.015). rs1044396 CT/TT genotype carriers and rs1044397 GG genotype patients with PD had higher VAS scores. No differences were found on the course of PD, H&Y grade, or UPDRS-II or -III scores between various genotypes, nor were differences found on scores of HAMD, nocturia, or PSQI in PD patients. Our results suggested that the CHRNA4 rs1044396 CT/TT genotype is related to cigarette smoking, that the rs1044397 polymorphism may associate with PD age of onset in women, and that rs1044396 and rs1044397 may relate to pain in PD patients, but not to the course or severity of disease, or to depression or nocturnal or sleeping disorders.

Germline mutations of DICER1 in Chinese women with BRCA1/BRCA2-negative familial breast cancer.

Germline mutations in identified breast cancer susceptibility genes account for less than 20% of Chinese familial breast cancers. Dicer is an essential component of the microRNA-producing machinery; germline mutations of DICER1 have been confirmed in familial pleuropulmonary blastoma, ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors, and other cancers. Low expression of DICER1 is frequently detected in breast cancer. However, whether germline mutations of DICER1 occur in familial breast cancers remain unknown. Sixty-five breast cancer probands from BRCA1/BRCA2-negative Chinese breast cancer families were screened for germline mutations in DICER1. In addition, 100 unrelated healthy females were enrolled as controls. A polymerase chain reaction sequencing assay was used to screen for mutations in coding regions and at the exon-intron boundaries of DICER1. All variants in introns were evaluated using the NNSplice software to determine the potential splicing effect. A total of 12 germline variants were found, including 11 variants in introns and 1 variant in the 3'-non-coding region. Four variants (IVS8-205 C>T, IVS11+131 delGAAA, IVS16+42 delTA, and IVS19+160 T>C) were novel. Three variants (IVS11+105 C>T, IVS16+42 delTA, and 6095 T>A) may affect splice sites. None of the observed variants appeared to be disease-related, suggesting that germline mutations in DICER1 are rare or absent in familial breast cancer patients.

Association between a single nucleotide polymorphism of the XRCC1 gene and hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.

The human X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 1 (XRCC1) gene is a potentially gene determining hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) susceptibility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between XRCC1 and susceptibility to HCC. The association of XRCC1 polymorphisms with HCC susceptibility was investigated in 460 HCC patients and 463 controls using the created restriction site-polymerase chain reaction method. Our results indicate that the c.1471G>A variant could be detected and that the allele and genotype frequencies were statistically different between cases and controls. The AA genotype was strongly associated with increased HCC susceptibility as compared with the GG wild genotype (OR = 2.214, 95%CI = 1.493-3.283, χ(2) = 15.97, P < 0.0001). In addition, significantly increased HCC susceptibility was also found in a dominant and recessive model (P < 0.01). The allele A could contribute to HCC susceptibility compared with the G allele (OR = 1.480, 95%CI = 1.224-1.789, χ(2) = 16.44, P = 0.0001). Results from this study indicate that the XRCC1 c.1471G>A polymorphism is associated with HCC susceptibility in the Chinese Han population. Future studies on larger populations are essential to confirm this association.

Association of CYP2C19*3 gene polymorphism with breast cancer in Chinese women.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 metabolizes arachidonic acid to biologically active epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, which significantly promote proliferation of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. We looked for a possible association between human CYP2C19*3 gene polymorphism and breast cancer in the Chinese Han population. In a Chinese Han case-control study of breast cancer patients (N = 600) and age- and gender-matched healthy controls (N = 600), we investigated polymorphism in the CYP2C19 gene by PCR-RFLP analysis. The CYP2C19*3 AG + AA genotype was significantly more prevalent in breast cancer patients than in control subjects (6.67 vs 3.00%; P = 0.003). The odds ratio for carriers of AG + AA genotype for breast cancer was 2.31 (95% confidence interval = 1.27-4.43). Among patients, estrogen receptor, tumor size, histologic grade, presence of primary lymphonode metastases, progesterone receptor positivity, and age at diagnosis were not found to be significantly associated with CYP2C19*3 genotypes (all P > 0.05). We conclude that the CYP2C19*3 gene polymorphism is associated with breast cancer risk in Chinese Han women.