[Epidemiological characteristics of typhoid fever in Fujian Province, 2011-2022].

Objective: To analyze the incidence trend and epidemiological characteristics of typhoid fever in Fujian Province from 2011 to 2022, and understand the high-incidence population and hotspot areas, and provide evidences to develop more targeted prevention and control measures. Methods: The surveillance data of typhoid fever during 2011-2022 in Fujian Province were obtained from the National Disease Reporting Information System and analyzed with SAS 9.4. The spatial autocorrelation analysis of typhoid fever incidence at county/district levels was performed with ArcGlS 10.8. Results: A total of 5 126 cases of typhoid fever were reported in Fujian Province from 2011 to 2022, with an average annual incidence rate of 1.10/100 000. The average annual incidence rate was 0.96/100 000 from 2011 to 2015, 1.49/100 000 from 2016 to 2019, and 0.81/100 000 from 2020 to 2022. The disease occurred all the year round, with high epidemic season from May to September. A total of 23.59% (1 209/5 126) of the cases occurred at the age of 0-4, and 9.62% (493/5 126) at the age of 5-9. The male to female ratio of the cases was 0.97∶1 (2 524∶2 602) for the whole population, 1.19∶1 (925∶777) for people under 10 years old, 0.75∶1 (1 060∶1 404) for people between 10 and 54 years old, and 1.28∶1 (539∶421) for people over 55 years old. Cases in Ningde City accounted for 30.65% (1 571/5 126) of the total cases. Most hotspots were occurred in Ningde City. Recurrent and clustered cases were found in family members. Conclusions: Typhoid fever was prevalent at a low level in Fujian Province during 2011-2022, indicating that strengthening the prevention and control measures should target key areas and populations. The incidence of typhoid fever in Fujian Province showed spatial aggregation phenomenon, and most cases gathered in Ningde City. Intensive study for the influencing factors of spatial clustering should be conducted.

[Incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian province, 2015-2020].

Objective: To analyze the incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian province from 2015 to 2020 and provide the scientific evidences for the risk assessment, prevention and control of leptospirosis. Methods: The incidence data of leptospirosis in Fujian during 2015-2020 were collected from China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention for a descriptive analysis, and software ArcGIS 10.3.1 was used for spatial autocorrelation analysis, and rats were captured in 17 surveillance areas during the same period, and the rat organs were collected for pathogen culture, the level of Leptospira antibody was detected in serum samples of rats, healthy population and the serum samples of patients sent by the hospitals. The infection status of Leptospira in human and rats were analyzed. Results: The incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian showed a downward trend from 2015 to 2020. A total of 176 cases of leptospirosis were reported. There were obvious seasonality and bimodal distribution. The majority of cases were farmers, accounting for 49.43% (87/176). Most cases were aged 30-69 years (85.80%, 151/176). The male to female ratio of the cases was 3.51∶1 (137∶39). Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that leptospirosis had high or low clustering areas. From 2015 to 2020, the average capture rate of rats in 17 surveillance areas was 6.96% (1 519/21 838), Rattus losea, Rattus flavipectus and Niviventer fulvescens were the main species. The average positive rate of Leptospira antibody in rats was 28.64% (252/880). Java and Autumnalis were the predominant serogroups, accounting for 56.75% (143/252) and 17.46% (44/252), respectively. The average positive rate of Leptospira antibody in healthy population was 16.13% (254/1 575), and Autumnalis and Australis were the predominant serogroups, accounting for 71.65% (182/254). The confirmation rate of leptospirosis in patient serum samples sent by the hospitals was 2.23% (188/8 431), Autumnalis (56.38%, 106/188) and Hebdomadis (19.68%, 37/188) were the major serogroups. Conclusions: The incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian showed a downward trend from 2015 to 2020, there were obvious area clustering and seasonality. The high clustering areas were mainly distributed in northern, western and central Fujian. Java and Autumnalis were the predominant serogroups in rats. The infection rate in healthy population decreased year by year. Autumnalis and Hebdomadis were the main serogroups in population in Fujian.

[Analysis on repetitive reporting of hepatitis B in Fujian province, 2016-2020].

Objective: To analyze the repetitive reporting of hepatitis B in Fujian province during 2016-2020, and provide evidence for the improvement of hepatitis B surveillance. Methods: The reporting cards from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention were collected and divided into repetitive reporting cards and non-repetitive reporting cards from the report cards collected according to the valid ID number on the cards, and the proportion of repetitive report cards and related factors were analyzed by using software SAS 9.4. Results: A total of 314 551 hepatitis B reporting cards were submitted in Fujian from 2016 to 2020, in which 90.93% (286 020/314 551) were included in the analysis. The repetitive reporting cards accounted for 10.48% (29 982/286 020). The annual proportion of the repetitive reporting cards from 2016 to 2020 was between 2.98% and 3.71%, showing an overall increasing trend year by year (Z=2.26, P=0.024). The proportions of the repetitive reporting cards in 1-5 years were 3.17%, 5.40%, 7.74%, 9.27% and 10.48%, respectively, showing an increase trend with year (Z=128.16, P<0.001). The proportions of the repetitive reporting cards in 10 areas of Fujian ranged from 5.44% to 13.48% with significant difference (χ2=2 050.41, P<0.001) and increased with the increase of reported incidence of hepatitis B (Z=26.92, P<0.001). There were significant differences in relationships between repetitive reporting proportion and sex, age and type of the cases between the areas with high incidence and low incidence of hepatitis B. Conclusions: The reported incidence of hepatitis B was seriously affected by the repetitive reporting in Fujian from 2016 to 2020. A cross-year and cross-area surveillance mechanism for hepatitis B should be established and targeted measures should be taken to strengthen the control of the repetitive reporting and improve the surveillance for hepatitis B.

[Evaluation and embolization strategy by ASITN/SIR grade for injured internal carotid artery of nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

Objective: To study the strategy of endovascular treatment for patients with the risks of internal carotid artery (ICA) rupture and bleeding during the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) based on American Society of Intervention and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology (ASITN/SIR) grade of collateral circulation. Methods: A total of 56 patients (45 males and 11 females, aged from 28 to 76 years old) diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University from July 2018 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 4, 24 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 3, 5 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 2, 5 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 1, and 7 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 0. The events of stroke and death were analyzed statistically. Results: ALL patients with ASITN/SIR grade 4 or 3 and some of patients with ASITN/SIR grades 2-0 passed balloon occlusion test and electrophysiological monitoring. ICA pseudoaneurysm was found in 35 patients, and one-stage ICA embolization was performed in 29 patients after evaluation. Among them, 8 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 4 and 10 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 3 with obvious posterior circulation compensation obtained successful one-stage ICA embolization without cerebral ischemia; cerebral ischemic events occurred in 5 (55.6%) of 9 patients with ASITN/SIR grade 3 and in 1(50.0%) of 2 patients with ASITN/SIR grade 2. The total incidence of ischemic events was 20.7% (6/29) and 1 case was disabled (1/29, 3.4%). Among patients with ASITN/SIR 3, there were statistically significant differences in stroke event rate between patients with obvious posterior circulation compensation and patients with slight or without posterior circulation compensation (0/10 vs. 5/9, χ(2)=4.95, P=0.026). Follow-up time was 10.1±7.8 months, and 46 patients were survival (46/56, 82.1%) and 10 patients died (10/56, 17.9%) with a mean survival time of 2.6±1.4 months. Conclusions: For NPC patients with ICA invasion, ASITN/SIR based on DSA can simplify the assessment process of cerebral blood flow compensation. ICA can be embolized directly in patients with ASITN/SIR 4 or 3 with obvious posterior communicating compensation.

[Analysis on association between incidence of hand foot and mouth disease and meteorological factors in Xiamen, 2013-2017].

Objective: To study the influence of meteorological factors on the incidence of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Xiamen, Fujian province, and provide scientific evidence for the early warning, prediction, prevention and control of HFMD. Methods: Correlation analysis and distribution lag nonlinear models (DLNM) analysis of meteorological factors such as daily average pressure, daily average relative humidity, daily average temperature and sunshine hours and the incidence of HFMD in Xiamen during 2013 to 2017 were conducted by using R3.4.3 software. Results: A total of 36 464 cases of HFMD were reported in Xiamen during 2013-2017, and the incidence showed an upward trend (F=40.359, P=0.008). The daily average relative humidity, daily average temperature and sunshine hours were positively correlated with the incidence of HFMD (r>0), and the daily average site pressure was negatively correlated with the incidence of HFMD (r<0). In the case of a lag of 0-5 days, when the daily average pressure of the station was higher than 1 005 hPa, the risk of HFMD gradually increased with the increase of air pressure, and the risk of disease decreased with the increase of lag days. The risk was highest when air pressure was 1 017 hPa and at the lag of 0 day (RR=1.14, 95%CI: 0.67-1.94). When the relative humidity was higher than 95%, the risk of HFMD gradually increased with the increase of relative humidity, and the lag time ranged from 0 day to 10 days, which was most obvious on the 4(th) and 5(th) days. The risk was highest when relative humidity was 100% and at the lag of 5 days (RR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.02-1.71). When the air temperature was >28 ℃ and <8 ℃, the risk of HFMD existed, but the lag time was inconsistent. The relative risk was highest during 15-20 days at low air temperature, and the lag time at high air temperature was mainly during 5-15 days. The risk was highest when air temperature was 28 ℃ and at the lag of 4 days (RR=1.10, 95%CI: 0.94-1.29). The sunshine time was >12 h and lag of 0-3 days was a risk factor for the incidence of HFMD. The risk was highest when sunshine time was 13 h and the lag of 0 day (RR=1.20, 95%CI: 1.05-1.36). Conclusion: Meteorological factors such as daily average pressure, daily average relative humidity, daily average temperature and sunshine hours were associated with the incidence of HFMD with certain lag in Xiamen. So, it is suggested to use these data in the early warning system of HFMD.

[Survey of HIV infection in men who have sex with men living for 5 years or less in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province].

Objective: To assess the prevalence of HIV infection and related factors in men who have sex with men (MSM) living for ≤5 years in Wenzhou of Zhejiang province. Methods: MSM who were aged ≥16 years, had lived in Wenzhou for ≥3 months and had anal sex and/or oral sex with men in the last 12 months were recruited through respondent-driven sampling (RDS) from February to October in 2015. The MSM recruited completed a questionnaire for the information collection on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behavior, awareness of HIV and related intervention, mental health status. Blood samples were collected from them for serological detection of HIV and syphilis antibodies. Software SPSS 18.0 was used to analyze HIV infection and related factors. Results: A total of 454 MSM were investigated, 108 of them (23.7%) were HIV positive. There were 267 MSM who lived in Wenzhou for ≤5 years, and 73 of them (27.3%) were HIV positive. Most of them were workers and commercial servants aged ≥25 years with personal monthly income <4 000 yuan and educational level of junior high school or below. According to multiple logistics regression analysis, age of 25-68 years old (OR=12.19, 95%CI: 2.29-65.02), heterosexual behavior in recent 6 months (OR=0.42, 95%CI: 0.18-0.96), believing it was possible to be infected with HIV (OR=0.06, 95%CI: 0.01-0.95), believing it was impossible to be infected with HIV (OR=0.03, 95%CI: 0.01-0.35) and syphilis status (OR=3.32, 95%CI: 1.05-10.52) were the risk factors associated with HIV infection. Conclusion: Compared with MSM who lived in Wenzhou for >5 years, MSM who lived in Wenzhou for ≤5 years had higher HIV infection rate and higher prevalence of risk behavior. It is necessary to conduct targeted intervention among them.

[Analysis on epidemiology and spatial-temporal clustering of human brucellosis in Fujian province, 2011-2016].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatial distribution of human brucellosis in Fujian province during 2011-2016, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of the disease. Methods: The surveillance data of human brucellosis in Fujian during 2011-2016 was analyzed with software R 3.3.1, ArcGIS 10.3.1, GeoDa 1.8.8 and SaTScan 9.4.3. Results: During 2011-2016, a total of 319 human brucellosis cases were reported, the incidence increased year by year (F=11.838, P=0.026) with the annual incidence of 0.14/100 000. The male to female rate ratio of the incidence was 2.50 ∶ 1. Farmers and herdsmen accounted for 57.37%. The incidence was 0.40/100 000 in Zhangzhou and 0.32/100 000 in Nanping, which were higher than other areas. The number of affected counties (district) increased from 12 in 2011 to 28 in 2016, showing a significant increase (F=13.447, P=0.021). The Moran's I of brucellosis in Fujian between January 2011 and December 2016 was 0.045, indicating the presence of a high value or low value clustering areas. Local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that, high-high clustering area (hot spots) were distributed in Zhangpu, Longhai, Longwen, etc, while high-low clustering areas were distributed in Nan'an and Jiaocheng, etc. Temporal scanning showed that there were three clustering areas in areas with high incidence, the most possible clustering, occurring during January 1, 2013- December 31,2015, covered 6 counties, including Yunxiao, Pinghe, Longhai, etc, and Zhangpu was the center, (RR=7.96, LLR=92.62, P<0.001). Conclusions: The epidemic of human brucellosis in Fujian is becoming serious, and has spread to general population and non-epidemic areas. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of human brucellosis in areas at high risk.

The effects of acute lipopolysaccharide challenge on dairy goat liver metabolism assessed with 1 HNMR metabonomics.

We investigated the mechanisms mediating hepatic metabolic responses to an acute lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge in goats. Guanzhong dairy goats (15) were randomly divided into three groups: control (CTL, saline, 0.2 ml/kg BW), lower dose LPS (LPS-L, 20 µg/kg BW) and higher dose LPS (LPS-H, 40 µg/kg BW). All injections were administered intraperitoneally twice with a 24-h interval. Forty-eight hours after the first injection, blood samples were collected to extract plasma for biochemical analysis, and liver tissues were biopsied and stored in liquid nitrogen for metabonomics analysis. We found that plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin increased (p < 0.05) in both LPS-treated groups, whereas plasma triglyceride, cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, total protein and albumin levels markedly decreased (p < 0.05). The increased activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), levels of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 and IL-8 indicated hepatic injury and metabolic dysfunction in some degree. Using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H-NMR) metabonomics and the Chenomx NMR suite database, 69 metabolites were detected and identified. Metabolic differences among the groups were determined with pattern recognition analyses using principal component analysis and supervised projection to latent structures discriminant analysis. Pattern recognition analysis distinguished and clustered the metabolite variables from the three groups, finding nine of 69 metabolites that differed significantly between two of the three groups: six from the LPS-L or LPS-H groups differed from CTL and three differed between LPS-L and LPS-H groups. These altered metabolites were closely connected with glucose, lipid and amino acid metabolic pathways in hepatocytes. Based on an analysis of these metabolites and their relevant pathways, the mechanisms and degree of hepatic injury were deduced. Therefore, the metabolic profile was used effectively to detect characteristic hepatic metabolites, discriminate metabolic changes induced by LPS, clarify the mechanisms for the resulting metabolic dysfunctions and provide efficient information to diagnose liver injury.

ACTH-induced stress in weaned sows impairs LH receptor expression and steroidogenesis capacity in the ovary.

BACKGROUND: Stress has been proved to impair the porcine reproduction soundly. Endocrine disruption, which is closely related to the persistent follicles, is possibly one of the results of stress, although the mechanism is unclear. Since the expression of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) in ovarian follicular wall and concentrations of steroid hormone in follicular fluid are related to the development of persistent follicles, this study is designed to evaluate the effect of administered adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) to weaned pigs on their ovarian steroidogenesis capacity and LHR expression. METHODS: Ten multiparous sows were weaned and randomly divided into two groups (n = 5 each). Sows received 1 IU/kg ACTH (ACTH group) or saline (control group) every 8 h from days 3-9 after jugular vein intubation. Blood samples were collected throughout the experiment, and ovaries were collected after slaughter on day 10. Follicular fluid (FF) was used to determine the steroid hormone concentrations. The ovarian follicle wall was obtained and stored in liquid nitrogen to detect mRNA levels. RESULTS: The plasma cortisol concentration was significantly (P < 0.01) elevated after ACTH injection. The estradiol (E2) and androstenedione (ASD) concentrations in FF were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the ACTH group than in the control group. The LHR, 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD), cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom), and cytochrome P450 17a-hydroxylase (P450c17) mRNA levels were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the ACTH group. The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) level and cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) was lower in the ACTH group than in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Immunostaining results revealed 3ß-HSD,P450c17, and LHR expression in theca cells, and P450arom expression in granulosa cells. Immunohistochemical staining showed significant differences in the distribution of 3ß-HSD, P450c17, LHR, and P450arom between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that ACTH significantly diminished the LHR expression and steroidogenesis capacity of the ovaries of weaned sows.

Design of Silk-Vaterite Microsphere Systems as Drug Carriers with pH-responsive Release Behavior.

Improving the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy remains a key goal for cancer therapy. Various passive and active targeting strategies have been developed to facilitate drug release targeted to cancer lesions, but actively designing tunable drug release behavior for these needs remains a challenge. As a step towards this need, silk-vaterite microspheres were fabricated and utilized as carriers to tune drug release. Doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded on the microspheres with high efficiency and the release behavior was regulated by tuning the microspheres via thermal processing. In vitro cell inhibition results showed that the drug-loaded microspheres had different cytotoxic efficiencies depending on the DOX release rates. Better efficacy at lower drug doses suggests options to optimize anticancer effects while minimizing toxic side effects. The tunable drug release capacity combined with the inherent passive targeting property of vaterite-based carriers based on pH sensitivity suggests a promising system for enhanced efficacy of chemotherapy.

Cloning and prokaryotic expression of the porcine lipasin gene.

Lipasin has recently been demonstrated to be involved in lipid metabolism. In this study, two specific primers were used to amplify the lipasin open reading frame from porcine liver tissue. The polymerase chain reaction product was cloned to a pGEM®-T Easy Vector, digested by SalI and NotI, and sequenced. The lipasin fragment was then cloned to a pET21(b) vector and digested by the same restriction enzyme. The recombinant plasmid was transferred to Escherichia coli (BL21), and the lipasin protein was induced with isopropyl-ß-D-thiogalactopyranoside. The protein obtained was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting. A pET-lipasin prokaryotic recombinant expression vector was successfully constructed, and a 25.2-kDa protein was obtained. This study provides a basis for further research on the biological function of porcine lipasin.

Cloning and functional analysis of the promoter of a maize starch synthase III gene (ZmDULL1).

The ZmDULL1 gene encodes a starch synthase and is a determinant of the structure of endosperm starch in maize (Zea mays L.). However, little is known regarding the regulatory mechanism of the ZmDULL1 gene. In this study, we isolated and characterized the ZmDULL1 promoter (PDULL1), which is the 5' flanking region of ZmDULL1 in maize. Sequence analysis showed that several cis-acting elements important for endosperm expression (GCN4_motif and AACA-element) were located within the promoter. A series of PDULL1 deletion derivatives, PDULL1-1-PDULL1-4, from the translation start code (-1676, -1216, -740, and -343) were fused to the ß-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene. Each deletion construct was transformed into rice using the Agrobacterium-mediated method, and then GUS activity was measured in transgenic plants. The results showed that PDULL1 was an endosperm-specific promoter. Further analysis showed that the promoter sequence (-343 to -1 base pairs) was sufficient for mediating GUS gene expression in endosperm. These results indicate that the region from -343 to -1 base pairs of PDULL1 is valuable for transgenic rice breeding and genetic engineering studies.

Alteration of factors associated with hepatic gluconeogenesis in response to acute lipopolysaccharide in dairy goat.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a common pathogenic agent that causes many diseases and metabolic disorders. Hypoglycemia is often observed when animals are infected with LPS. To explore the influence of LPS on blood glucose and hepatic gluconeogenesis in goats, 12 goats were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: the LPS-treated group (60 µg/kg BW of LPS; jugular vein injections) or the control group (saline vehicle; jugular vein injections). Blood samples were collected from jugular veins at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h, and liver tissue samples were biopsied 8 h after the injections. The dynamic changes in blood glucose levels as well as key hepatic gluconeogenic enzyme mRNA and protein expression, ATP and ADP levels, and glutathione reductase (GR) activity were determined. The results showed that blood glucose levels in the LPS group were dramatically reduced after an initial, short-term increase. In liver tissue, the mRNA of key gluconeogenic enzymes, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PEPCK1;P < 0.05), fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1;P < 0.01), pyruvate carboxylase (PCB;P < 0.05), and acyl-CoA synthetase short-chain family member 3 (ACSS3; < 0.01), in the related pathways and PPAR-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α;P < 0.05) were decreased in the LPS group compared with those in the control group, whereas glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase-α) was not different (P > 0.05). The protein expression of PEPCK1 decreased (P < 0.01), whereas that of G6Pase-α increased (P < 0.05) significantly. The ratio of ADP to ATP ( < 0.05) and the activity of GR (P < 0.01) were markedly increased in the LPS group compared with those in controls. This research showed that LPS markedly affects and reduces blood glucose in dairy goats. The crucial reasons for the marked change in blood glucose are the altered expression of key gluconeogenic enzymes in different pathways and of essential factors associated with gluconeogenesis in the liver.

Attenuated mRNA expression of lipid metabolism genes in primary hepatocytes following lipopolysaccharide treatment in dairy cows.

The influence of ruminal acidosis on ruminal microbiology and metabolite production has received considerable attention, but little is known regarding the systemic manifestations that arise from ruminal acidosis. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is released in the gastrointestinal tract upon ingestion of high-grain or high-fat diets, and it has been implicated in the etiology of multiple energy- and lipid-related metabolic disturbances in ruminants. The liver plays a crucial role in the acute phase response to intruding pathogens. The effect of blood LPS in subacute ruminal acidosis on lipid metabolism in the liver has not been established. In this study, cell cultures were photographed using an inverted microscope. We observed that hepatocytes changed their morphologies from irregular triangle to circular (contraction) shapes; the number of contracted cells increased with the increasing LPS doses. This suggests that LPS can promote cell contraction and take off the wall, ultimately leading to cell apoptosis. With changes in LPS exposure, hepatocyte number also changes. We explored lipid metabolism in the liver using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to detect the expression of key lipid metabolism enzymes in hepatocytes. We found that Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway mediated by LPS could attenuate mRNA expression of fatty acid synthesis genes and increase the expression of fatty acid transport genes in primary hepatocytes following LPS treatment in dairy cows.

Association between the 8q24 rs6983267 T/G polymorphism and prostate cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Recent studies have indicated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the 8q24 region may be a risk factor for prostate cancer (PCa). Here, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between the 8q24 rs6983267 T/G polymorphism and PCa risk. A systematic literature search was carried out in multiple electronic databases independently by two investigators. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals for 8q24 rs6983267 T/G and PCa were calculated using a fixed-effect model (the Mantel-Haenszel method). In total, 24 case-control studies from 19 articles were included in our meta-analysis. Our analysis indicated that there is a significant PCa risk associated with the rs6983267 polymorphism in a dominant model (GG vs GT+TT, pooled OR = 1.298, P < 0.001); recessive model (GG+GT vs TT, pooled OR = 1.302, P < 0.001); and homozygote comparison (GG vs TT, pooled OR = 1.494, P < 0.001). Similarly, in a subgroup analysis of European and Asian descent, our results revealed that there are associations between rs6983267 T/G polymorphism and PCa susceptibility with the dominant model (GG vs GT+TT), recessive model (GG+GT vs TT), and homozygote comparison (GG vs TT). To investigate the association between rs6983267 and risk of PCa under different clinical conditions, further analyses were conducted regarding different clinical characteristics including the Gleason score, tumor stage, and PSA level to provide a more comprehensive view of PCa risk and this SNP. Publication bias was assed using the Begg test and the Egger test, and none was detected.

Lactoferrin mRNA expression in mouse mammary glands during pregnancy and lactation.

Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that is produced by mucosal epithelial cells in mammals. Lf has non-immune natural defense functions and biological functions in addition to and distinct from its role in regulating inflammatory responses. Lf also improved some physiological and immunological parameters. Lf is a biomarker for monitoring medical treatment in inflammatory bowel diseases. Current LF research focuses on iron absorption, antimicrobial activity, and the modulation of iron metabolism during inflammation. No systematic research about Lf expression levels in mouse mammary glands during pregnancy and lactation exists. We investigated Lf mRNA expression levels in mouse mammary glands by collecting samples on days 1, 6, 12, and 18 of pregnancy and lactation (six mice per group). The expression levels of Lf mRNA were measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using GAPDH as an internal control. Lf mRNA was not expressed in mammary glands on days 1, 6, and 12 of pregnancy, but it was expressed on day 18 (IOD: integrated optical density; Lf(IOD)/GAPDH(IOD) = 0.46). Lf expression levels were higher during lactation stages than during pregnancy stages, and it stabilized at 0.71-0.73 (Lf(IOD)/GAPDH(IOD)) from day 1 to 12 of lactation; however, the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). At day 18 of lactation, Lf expression began to decline (Lf(IOD)/GAPDH(IOD) = 0.61), but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Based on these results, the variation in Lf expression levels during developmental stages may be related to its regulatory role in mouse mammary gland immunity.

Molecular characteristics and cloning of two pepper genes AN2 and UPA20.

The complete coding sequences (CDSs) of "Yunnan Purple Pepper No.1" (Capsicum annuum L.) AN2 and UPA20 genes were amplified using the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on the basis of the conserved sequence information of some Solanaceae plants and known highly homologous pepper expressed sequence tags. The nucleotide sequence analysis of these 2 genes revealed that pepper AN2 gene encoded a protein of 263 amino acids that has high homology with the AN2-like protein of 4 species: tobacco, tomato, potato, and petunia. The UPA20 gene encoded a protein of 341 amino acids that has high homology with the proteins of 3 species: tobacco, petunia, and tomato. The tissue expression analysis indicated that the pepper AN2 gene was overexpressed in the pericarp and placenta; moderately in stems, flowers, and seeds; and weakly in the roots, leaves, and pericarp. The pepper UPA20 gene was overexpressed in the flowers and seeds; moderately expressed in the roots and stems; and weakly expressed in the leaves and placenta. Our findings might form the basis for further research on these 2 pepper genes.

Molecular cloning and tissue expression analyses of two novel pepper genes: heterotrimeric G protein beta 2 subunit and ArcA1.

We isolated two transcription factor genes, heterotrimeric G protein beta 2 subunit (Gß2) and ArcA1, from pepper (Capsicum annuum). The complete coding sequences were amplified using reversed transcriptase PCR based on conserved sequence information of Solanum lycopersicum and several other plant species. Nucleotide sequence analysis of these two genes revealed that the pepper Gß2 gene encodes a protein of 376 amino acids that belongs to the WD40 superfamily. Tissue expression analysis indicated that this gene is highly expressed in the pericarp, moderately expressed in stem, flower, placenta, and leaves, and weakly expressed in seed. There was no expression in the roots. The ArcA1 gene encodes a protein of 331 amino acids that also belongs to the WD40 superfamily. Tissue expression analysis indicated that the pepper ArcA1 gene is moderately expressed in the pericarp and weakly expressed in seed. There was no expression in root, stem, flower, placenta, or leaves.

Cloning and bioinformatic analysis of full-length novel pepper (Capsicum annuum) genes TAF10 and TAF13.

We isolated two TATA-binding protein-associated factor (TAF) genes, TAF10 and TAF13, from pepper (Capsicum annuum). The complete coding sequences were amplified using reverse transcriptase-PCR on the basis of conserved sequence information of eggplant and several other plant species. Nucleotide sequence analysis of these two genes revealed that the pepper TAF10 gene encodes a protein of 103 amino acids that belongs to the TAF10 superfamily. The pepper TAF10 gene was highly expressed in the pericarp and placenta, moderately expressed in the stems, flowers, seeds and leaves, and weakly expressed in roots. The TAF13 gene was found to encode a protein of 130 amino acids that belongs to the TAF13 superfamily. The TAF13 gene was highly expressed in the stems, flowers and pericarp, moderately expressed in the leaves, placenta and seeds, and weakly expressed in roots.

IL-8 mRNA expression in the mouse mammary glands during pregnancy and lactation.

Interkeukin-8 (IL-8) is an important inflammatory mediator. It is an angiogenic factor associated with inflammation and carcinogenesis. To date, research on IL-8 has been limited to its role as an indicator of inflammation. There has been no systematic research concerning IL-8 expression levels in the mouse mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation. Mouse mammary gland samples were collected on days 1, 6, 12, 18 of pregnancy and of lactation (6 mice per group). The expression levels of IL-8 mRNA were measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, with GAPDH as an internal control. IL-8 mRNA was highly expressed on day 1 of pregnancy in the mouse mammary glands (IL-8(IOD)/GAPDH(IOD) = 1.68), and then suddenly declined; it reached 0.74 and 0.71 on days 6 and 12 of pregnancy. On day 18 of pregnancy, it started to increase (IL-8(IOD)/GAPDH(IOD) = 1.02). However, the expression levels of IL-8 mRNA were not significant during pregnancy. During lactation, IL-8 expression level was lower than during pregnancy, but it stabilized at 0.32-0.41 (IL-8(IOD)/GAPDH(IOD)) from day 1 to day 18 of lactation, although the difference was not significant. We suggest that the changes in IL-8 expression level during development is related to its regulatory role in mouse mammary gland immunity.