Global taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of bees in apple orchards.

An essential prerequisite to safeguard pollinator species is characterisation of the multifaceted diversity of crop pollinators and identification of the drivers of pollinator community changes across biogeographical gradients. The extent to which intensive agriculture is associated with the homogenisation of biological communities at large spatial scales remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated diversity drivers for 644 bee species/morphospecies in 177 commercial apple orchards across 33 countries and four global biogeographical biomes. Our findings reveal significant taxonomic dissimilarity among biogeographical zones. Interestingly, despite this dissimilarity, species from different zones share similar higher-level phylogenetic groups and similar ecological and behavioural traits (i.e. functional traits), likely due to habitat filtering caused by perennial monoculture systems managed intensively for crop production. Honey bee species dominated orchard communities, while other managed/manageable and wild species were collected in lower numbers. Moreover, the presence of herbaceous, uncultivated open areas and organic management practices were associated with increased wild bee diversity. Overall, our study sheds light on the importance of large-scale analyses contributing to the emerging fields of functional and phylogenetic diversity, which can be related to ecosystem function to promote biodiversity as a key asset in agroecosystems in the face of global change pressures.

[A prospective cohort study on BMI levels and risk of acute pancreatitis].

Objective: To investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) levels at different baseline on the risk of new-onset acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods: The subjects were from the Kailuan Study Cohort and divided into 3 groups according to baseline BMI levels: BMI<24 kg/m2, normal weight; BMI 24-28 kg/m2, overweight; BMI≥28 kg/m2, obesity. The incidence of new-onset AP in these three groups was analyzed. The survival curve was plotted by Kaplan-Meier method, the cumulative incidence was calculated and tested by log-rank method. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to calculate HR of baseline BMI levels for AP. Results: A total of 123 841 subjects were included and followed up for (11.94±2.13) years, during which, 395 cases were found with AP. The incidence of AP was 2.67 per 10 000 person years in total population, and the incidences of AP were 2.20, 2.72 and 3.58 per 10 000 person-years in the normal, overweight and obesity groups, respectively. The cumulative incidences of AP was 0.32%, 0.40% and 0.49% in normal, overweight and obesity groups, respectively, which showed a significant inter-group difference by log-rank test (χ 2=13.17,P<0.01). The results of multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis indicated that obesity group (HR=1.45, 95%CI: 1.10-1.92) had a higher risk for AP compared with the normal BMI group. The subgroup analyses by age and sex showed that compared with the normal weight group,the HRs for AP in the obesity group was 1.58(95%CI:1.14-2.19) and 1.40(95%CI:1.03-1.90) among subjects younger than 60 years old and male subjects, respectively. After excluded onset AP within two years from baseline,with a control group from normal weight,the results of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis indicated that the AP in the obesity group was 1.60 (95%CI: 1.18-2.15). Conclusion: Obesity may increase the risk of developing AP, particularly among young and middle-aged men.

[Analysis of imaging features of age-related cerebral small vessel disease with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus].

Objective: To explore the imaging features in age-related cerebral small vessel disease (ArCSVD) with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH). Methods: Ten cases of age-related cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from December 2015 to March 2020 were retrospective analyzed, all patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and completed the head Magnetic resonance angiography plain scan, T2 fluid attenuated inversion recovery and Susceptibility Weighted Imaging sequence. Deep marrow venous signs (DMVs), INPH severity (DESH score), cortical/subcortical and deep microhemorrhages (CMBs) statistics, paraventricular and deep white matter damage (WMH) severity and CSVD imaging burden score were acquired, and correlations of DMVs and DESH scores with CMBs, WMH and Burden scores were evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: DMVs and DESH scores were significantly and positively correlated (r=0.965 9, P<0.000 1). DMVs and DESH scores were not significantly correlated with cortical/subcortical CMBs and deep CMBs. Likewise, DMVs and DESH scores were not significantly correlated with deep WMH. The WMH score of paraventricular of the 10 cases was 3 points, and the Burden score was 4 points. Conclusion: DMVs may be an indicator of the severity of ArCSVD with INPH, due to the small sample size of the current study, more cases are needed for further verification.

Fibulin-5 protects the extracellular matrix of chondrocytes by inhibiting the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and relieves osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease in the elderly and seriously affects the quality of life of patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect of Fibulin-5 on articular chondrocytes and its mechanism of action. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Articular cartilage tissues from patients with OA and normal people were selected and tested for differences in Fibulin-5 expression. In addition, human chondrocytes were cultured, and the effects of Fibulin-5 on the extracellular matrix (ECM) of chondrocytes and the level of inflammation were examined by means of cell transfection and cytokine intervention. SKL2001, an agonist of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, was used to validate the mechanism of action of Fibulin-5 to protect chondrocytes. RESULTS: Fibulin-5 was lowly expressed in the cartilage tissue of patients with OA. Overexpression of Fibulin-5 significantly increased the expressions of ECM collagen II and aggrecan in chondrocytes, while decreasing the expressions of MMP-3 and MMP-13. In addition, Fibulin-5 reduced IL-1ß-induced inflammation of chondrocytes, as well as expressions of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. Overexpression of Fibulin-5 also reduced the activity of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, and activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway attenuated the protective effects of Fibulin-5 on the ECM of chondrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Fibulin-5 can protect the ECM of chondrocytes and reduce the inflammatory response of chondrocytes by inhibiting the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

[Analysis of the influencing factors of serum bilirubin in workers exposed to occupational hazards factors in a urban area].

Objective: To investigate the effect of exposure to occupational hazard factors on serum bilirubin in workers. Methods: In April 2019, using cluster sampling method 5 433 workers exposed to occupational hazard factors from July 2017 to March 2019 were screened out by questionnaire and laboratory test, the date of serum bilirubin were used by the logistic regression analysis of single factor card test and wilcoxon band symbol rank and test. Results: The bilirubin decreases with age, is higher in male than in female, the han is higher than the uygur, and the unmarried workers is higher than the married one, there was significant difference in the levels of bilirubin between different genders, ages, ethnic groups and marriages (P<0.01) . There were statistically significant differences in bilirubin among the occupational hazard factors (P<0.01) , the bilirubin level is highest in the exposure to physical factors, followed by chemical factors and dust. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the dust was the main factor affecting bilirubin (OR(dusr/TBIL)=2.080, 95%CI: 1.542~2.807, P<0.01) . Abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alanine aminotransferase (AST) are consistent with elevated bilirubin. Conclusion: Exposure to occupational hazard factors may lead to elevated serum bilirubin and abnormal liver function transaminase, the prevention and control of occupational hazards and cccupational health monitoring should be strengthened.

LHX6 inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer cells by modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: LIM homeobox domain 6 (LHX6) is emerging as a critical regulator in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. The previous study has reported the expression and function of LHX6 in breast cancer (BC). However, its mechanism underlying BC metastasis remains largely unclear. This study aimed to investigate the related mechanisms of the tumor-suppressive role of LHX6 in BC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to determine LHX6 mRNA levels and protein expressions in BC tissues and cell lines. LHX6 protein expression was also analyzed in BC tissues and matched normal breast tissues using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The biologic functions of LHX6 in BC were explored by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, and transwell assays in vitro. Finally, we investigated the effect of LHX6 up-regulation on PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway by Western blot. RESULTS: Our results showed that LHX6 was lowly expressed at the mRNA and protein level in BC cancer tissues and cell lines. Ectopic expression of LHX6 in MDA-MB-231 and T-47D suppressed cell growth, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, our further investigations revealed that the upregulation of LHX6 inhibited the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: We firstly provided evidence that LHX6 exerted its anti-tumor function on BC via suppressing activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, which eventually inhibited the progression of BC.

[Prediction of round window visibility in cochlear implantation with temporal bone high resolution computed tomography].

Objective: To discuss the prediction of round window(RW) visibility in cochlear implantation(CI) with temporal bone high resolution computed tomography(HRCT). Methods: From January 2013 to January 2017, 130 cases underwent both HRCT and CI in our hospital were analyzed. The distance from facial nerve to posterior canal wall(FWD), the angle between facial nerve and inner margin of round window(FRA), and the angle between facial nerve and tympanic anulus to inner margin of round window(FRAA) were detected at the level of round window on axial temporal bone HRCT. A line parallel to the posterior wall of ear canal was drawn from the anterior wall of facial nerve at the level of round window on axial temporal bone HRCT and its relationship with round window was detected (facial-round window line, FRL): type0-posterior to the round window, type1-between the round window, type2-anterior to the round window. Their(FWD, FRA, FRAA, FRL) relationships with intra-operative round window visibility were analyzed by SPSS 17.0 software. Results: FWD(F=18.76, P=0.00), FRA(F=34.57, P=0.00), FRAA (F=14.24, P=0.00) could affect the intra-operative RW visibility significantly. RW could be exposed completely during CI when preoperative HRCT showing type0 FRL. RW might be partly exposed and not exposed when preoperative HRCT showing type1 and type2 FRL respectively. Conclusion: FWD, FRA, FRAA and FRL of temporal bone HRCT can predict intra-operative round window visibility effectively in CI surgery.

Clinical efficacy of gamma knife and surgery treatment of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and their effects on EF-Tumt and EF-Tsmt expression.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical efficacy of gamma knife and surgery treatment of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and their effects on EF-Tumt and EF-Tsmt expression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 78 cases of MTLE patients treated in our hospital from April 2011 to March 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment methods: the surgery group (including 41 cases) and the gamma knife group (including 37 cases). The clinical efficacy, the occurrence and recurrence of complications were evaluated, respectively; meanwhile, the expression of the EF-Tumt protein and EF-Tsmt protein in brain tissue were analyzed. RESULTS: The difference between the efficacy rate of the two groups showed no statistical significance (χ2=0.960, p>0.05). The complication rate of the gamma knife group was significantly lower than that of the control group (χ2=6.430, p<0.05). The recurrence rate of the patients in the gamma knife group was significantly lower than that of the patients in the surgery group (p>0.05). Within the two groups, the positive expression granum of EF-Tsmt protein and EF-Tumt protein of the two groups after treatment were significantly lower than that before treatment (p<0.05). After treatment, the positive expression granum of EF-Tsmt protein of the patients in the gamma knife group was obviously more than that of the patients in the surgery group (p<0.05). The difference between the positive expression granum of EF-Tumt protein of the two groups showed no statistical significance (p>0.05). Before and after treatment within the group, the positive cell of EF-Tsmt protein and EF-Tumt protein of the two groups of patients after treatment were significantly lower than that before treatment (p<0.05). After treatment, the difference between the EF-Tsmt protein positive cell and the EF-Tumt protein positive cell of the two groups of patients showed no statistical significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both surgery and gamma knife could treat MTLE effectively, and the efficacy may be related to the ability to reduce the expression of EF-Tsmt protein and EF-Tumt protein in brain tissue.

[Possible reasons for cerebrospinal fluid gusher in cochlear implantation with inner ear abnormality].

Objective: To discuss the possible reasons for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gusher in cochlear implantation (CI) with inner ear abnormality. Method: A retrospective analysis was performed on 340 cases who underwent CI from January 2013 to December 2016 in Division of Otology, Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Among them, 96 cases had inner ear abnormalities. Imaging examinations were performed on these patients, and classification of inner ear malformation was done according to the results. Results: Among the cases with inner ear abnormality, 9.4% (9/96) suffered from CSF gusher during CI. The inner ear abnormalities were found to be as follows: 3 cases had incomplete partition type Ⅰ; 1 case had incomplete partition type Ⅰ with semicircular canal dysplasia; 1 case had common cavity deformity; 1 case had enlarged vestibular aqueducts and common cavity deformity; 2 cases had Mondini deformity. All of these cases had bony defect in the fundus of the internal acoustic meatus observed on CT scans. Another case was type 1 cochlear aqueduct with round window aplasia. Conclusions: Defects in the modiolus or fundus of the internal acoustic meatus is the main reason for CSF gusher during CI. A patent cochlear aqueduct is another possible reason.

Effect of porcine glucagon-like peptides-2 on tight junction in GLP-2R + IPEC-J2 cell through the PI3 k/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signalling pathway.

Because of rare glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) receptor (+) cells within the gut mucosa, the molecular mechanisms transducing the diverse actions of GLP-2 remain largely obscure. This research identified the naturally occurring intestinal cell lines that endogenously express GLP-2R and determined the molecular mechanisms of the protective effects of GLP-2-mediated tight junctions (TJ) in GLP-2R (+) cell line. (i) Immunohistochemistry results showed that GLP-2R is localised to the epithelia, laminae propriae and muscle layers of the small and large bowels of newborn piglets. (ii) GLP-2R expression was apparent in the cytoplasm of endocrine cells in IPEC-J2 cell lines. (iii) The protein expressions of ZO-1, claudin-1, occludin, p-PI3 K, p-Akt, p-mTOR and p-p70S6K significantly (p < 0.05) increased in GLP-2-treated IPEC-J2 cells, and all of them significantly (p < 0.05) decreased when LY-294002 or rapamycin was added. GLP-2 improves intestinal TJ expression of GLP-2R (+) cells through the PI3 k/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signalling pathway.

Association Analysis of Myosin Heavy-chain Genes mRNA Transcription with the Corresponding Proteins Expression of Longissimus Muscle in Growing Pigs.

The goal of this work was to investigate the correlations between MyHC mRNA transcription and their corresponding protein expressions in porcine longissimus muscle (LM) during postnatal growth of pigs. Five DLY (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire) crossbred pigs were selected, slaughtered and sampled at postnatal 7, 30, 60, 120, and 180 days, respectively. Each muscle was subjected to quantity MyHCs protein contents through an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), to quantity myosin heavy-chains (MyHCs) mRNA abundances using real-time polymerase chain reaction. We calculated the proportion (%) of each MyHC to total of four MyHC for two levels, respectively. Moreover, the activities of several key energy metabolism enzymes were determined in LM. The result showed that mRNA transcription and protein expression of MyHC I, IIa, IIx and IIb in LM all presented some obvious changes with postnatal aging of pigs, especially at the early stage after birth, and their mRNA transcriptions were easy to be influenced than their protein expressions. The relative proportion of each MyHC mRNA was significantly positively related to that of its corresponding protein (p<0.01), and MyHC I mRNA proportion was positively correlated with creatine kinase (CK), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activities (p<0.05). These data suggested that MyHC mRNA transcription can be used to reflect MyHC expression, metabolism property and adaptive plasticity of porcine skeletal muscles, and MyHC mRNA composition could be a molecular index reflecting muscle fiber type characteristics.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe macleayae on Torenia fournieri in China.

Torenia fournieri (Linderniaceae) is a common ornamental plant in China. It is also an important Chinese medicinal herb for its heart clearing and toxin removal properties. In October 2013, severe powdery mildew infections were observed on T. fournieri in Baihuayuan Garden (125.35°E, 43.88°N), China. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of Mycology of Jilin Agricultural University under the accession number HMJAU02176. Whitish colonies covered the surface of leaves, petioles, sepals, and stems. The infected leaves became yellow and necrotic by advanced stages of the infection. Chasmothecia with a diameter between 63.5 and 95 µm were present singly or in groups, and bore dark brown mycelioid. The appendages were 0.5 to 4 times as long as the chasmothecial diameter, brown at the base and paler toward the apex. Asci were 2 to 6 per chasmothecium, short-stalked or sessile, 50 to 62 × 30 to 50.5 µm, and 2- to 4-spored. Ascospores were pale brown, oval to ellipsoid, 27 to 43 × 13 to 17 µm. Hyphae were flexuous to straight, branched, and septate. Appressoria were well-developed, lobed, and solitary or in opposite pairs. Conidiophores were unbranched, cylindrical, and 94 to 185 × 9 to 15 µm. Foot-cells were straight, cylindrical, 19 to 40 µm long, and followed by 1 to 3 cells shorter or nearly equal to the foot-cell. Conidia were singly produced, cylindrical or oval, 34 to 44 × 16 to 20 µm, and without distinct fibrosin bodies. Lobed germ tubes were produced at the tip of conidia. The morphological characteristics of sexual and asexual structures were consistent with Erysiphe macleayae (1,2). To confirm the identification, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA of the pathogen was amplified with the primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced (3). The resulting 574-bp sequence (KJ600796) showed 100% similarity with E. macleayae (KF856294) and Oidium sp. isolated from Chelidonium majus (HQ286645 to 46) and one base different from M. microcarpa (JQ681217). Koch's postulate was completed by gently pressing a diseased leaf onto three young excised leaves of asymptomatic seedlings. Three non-inoculated leaves were used as controls. Inoculated leaves were incubated in separate petri dishes in a greenhouse at 20 to 25°C. Symptoms developed 5 days after inoculation, whereas the control leaves remained symptomless (voucher specimens HMJAU02176I). The morphology of the fungus on the inoculated leaves was identical to that observed on the originally diseased leaves. Powdery mildew on T. fournieri has only been reported as Golovinomyces sp. in Hungary (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by E. macleayae on T. fournieri worldwide. Infection of Torenia by E. macleayae, a common powdery mildew on various hosts of the Papaveraceae, is very unusual and unexpected. It demonstrates a wider host range of this species beyond the limits of the Papaveraceae. References: (1) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series 11. CBS, Utrecht, the Netherlands, 2012. (2) M. J. Park et al. Plant Dis. 96:1376, 2012. (3) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol. Res. 113:117, 2009. (4) P. Vági et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 117:89, 2007.

S100 protein in breast tumor.

S100 protein is the largest subtribe in calcium binding protein family. According to recent researches, abnormal expression of S100 protein is often related to tumor, including breast tumor. Breast tumor is the most common malignant disease in female with high mortality mainly due to metastasis. Estimating early diagnostic and prognostic markers are helpful to conduct treatment for patients with breast cancer. Accumulating investigations focused on the role of S100 proteins in breast tumor development and metastasis. This paper summarizes the expression situation of S100 proteins in breast tumor as well as its effects on metastasis and prognosis of breast tumor.

Advances in tumor markers of ovarian cancer for early diagnosis.

Ovarian cancer often occurs in perimenopausal women. The mortality of ovarian cancer is in the first place among gynecological cancers because of no obvious early symptoms and the lack of effective diagnostic approach. Gene chips, proteomics, immunohistochemistry and other methods have become hot topics for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. However, due to the variety of pathology and not clear enough of mechanism and etiology, there is still no ideal tumor markers with both high specific and sensitivity, which can be applied into clinical early diagnosis for ovarian cancer. Therefore, a new systematic method with high sensitivity and specificity for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer and new tumor markers need to be identified. We should make an examination of ovarian cancer in the early period in the crowd for early diagnosis and early treatment to further improve life quality of patients. This paper reviewed the recent advancements of tumor markers for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Age-related changes and nutritional regulation of myosin heavy-chain composition in longissimus dorsi of commercial pigs.

The objective of this study is to investigate the age-related changes of and the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on muscle-fibre types in commercial pigs. We divided 25 crossbred male pigs into five age groups (7, 30, 60, 100 and 180 days) and 30 finishing pigs into two dietary groups (one fed a CLA-enriched diet and the other fed a control diet for 30 days). We analysed the composition (%) of myosin heavy-chain (MyHC) mRNA according to the absolute copies of each MyHC (I, IIa, IIb and IIx) mRNA, and the activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in the longissimus muscle. From days 7 to 180, the MyHC I mRNA abundance and SDH and MDH activities presented a decreasing trend, the MyHC IIb mRNA abundance presented a steady trend and the MyHC IIa and IIx mRNA abundances presented an increasing trend. On day 30, MyHC I and IIb mRNA abundances were at their lowest (P < 0.05), and the MyHC IIa and IIx mRNA abundances were at their highest (P < 0.05). In the CLA group, the MyHC I mRNA abundance and the activities of SDH and MDH were improved in the longissimus muscle, whereas pressure loss, drip loss and average back fat depth significantly decreased (P < 0.01) and shear force significantly increased (P < 0.01). Loin eye area, feed conversion rate and meat colour showed some tendency to be improved. These results indicated that more oxidative fibres might convert to glycolytic fibres with increasing age or weight, and that the early developmental stage might be a key stage for this conversion. During the finishing stage, the proportion of oxidative fibres might be increased by dietary CLA supplementation, which may contribute to the water-holding capacity of meat. The results would provide an important basis for the application of muscle-fibre types in the improvement of pork quality.

First Report of Leaf Spot Disease on Dictamnus dasycarpus Caused by Phoma dictamnicola in China.

Fraxinella, Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz (Rutaceae), is a perennial herbal plant and mainly distributed in Eurasia and North America. It is often used to treat jaundice, cough, rheumatism, and other diseases and is extensively cultivated in the northeast and northwest of China (3). In June 2009, a severe foliar disease was observed on D. dasycarpus in medicinal plantations in Antu, China. The disease occurred on 100% of the plants and at least 25% of the surface was affected. In the early stages of disease development, symptoms were visible on the top and bottom of infected leaves as small brown spots. Subsequently, these spots became elliptical to irregularly shaped, with beige or grayish white centers and dark brown margins. Within the spots, numerous, dark brown or black, subglobose or ostiolate pycnidia measuring 152 to 367 µm in diameter were observed. Fungal isolates were obtained from the infected leaves on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium, with conidia that were aseptate or one-septate and ellipsoidal or reniform, measuring approximately 4.7 to 12.6 × 2.1 to 4.5 µm. On the basis of these characteristics, the fungus was identified as a Phoma sp. Four well-sporulating isolates, designated as DdPh-1, DdPh-2, DdPh-3, and DdPh-4, were selected for further studies. The morphological and cultural characteristics of these four isolates were studied as described by Boerema et al. and the fungus was identified as Phoma dictamnicola Boerema et al. (1). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear rDNA was amplified and sequenced using primers ITS4/ITS5 (2). All four of the ITS sequences were identical (GenBank Accession No. FR681861) and were 99% identical to P. dictamnicola strains CBS507.91 (Accession No. GU237877) and KACC42445 (Accession No. EF600960). Pathogenicity tests were performed by spraying the leaves of healthy D. dasycarpus plants with a conidial suspension (1 × 106 conidia/ml). Five plants were inoculated with each isolate (DdPh-1, DdPh-2, DdPh-3, and DdPh-4) and five plants were mock inoculated with sterile water. The plants were covered with plastic bags and kept in a greenhouse at 20 to 25° for 72 h. After 9 to 13 days, all inoculated plants showed characteristic symptoms as previously described, while the control plants remained healthy. The fungus was reisolated from the leaf spots of inoculated plants. Currently, the economic importance of this disease is limited, but it may become a more significant problem in production of D. dasycarpus with the cultivation area increasing. The fungus was found in the Netherlands and Korea, but to our knowledge, this is the first report of P. dictamnicola on D. dasycarpus in China. References: (1) G. H. Boerema et al. Phoma Identificatión Manual: Differentiation of Specific and Infra-Specific Taxa in Culture. CABI Publishing. Wallingford, U.K., 2004. (2) D. E. L. Cooke et al. Mycol. Res. 101:667, 1997. (3) S. S. Jiang et al. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 72:660, 2008.

Distinct leukemia phenotypes in transgenic mice and different corepressor interactions generated by promyelocytic leukemia variant fusion genes PLZF-RARalpha and NPM-RARalpha.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by a specific chromosome translocation involving RARalpha and one of four fusion partners: PML, PLZF, NPM, and NuMA genes. To study the leukemogenic potential of the fusion genes in vivo, we generated transgenic mice with PLZF-RARalpha and NPM-RARalpha. PLZF-RARalpha transgenic animals developed chronic myeloid leukemia-like phenotypes at an early stage of life (within 3 months in five of six mice), whereas three NPM-RARalpha transgenic mice showed a spectrum of phenotypes from typical APL to chronic myeloid leukemia relatively late in life (from 12 to 15 months). In contrast to bone marrow cells from PLZF-RARalpha transgenic mice, those from NPM-RARalpha transgenic mice could be induced to differentiate by all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). We also studied RARE binding properties and interactions between nuclear corepressor SMRT and various fusion proteins in response to ATRA. Dissociation of SMRT from different receptors was observed at ATRA concentrations of 0.01 microM, 0.1 microM, and 1.0 microM for RARalpha-RXRalpha, NPM-RARalpha, and PML-RARalpha, respectively, but not observed for PLZF-RARalpha even in the presence of 10 microM ATRA. We also determined the expression of the tissue factor gene in transgenic mice, which was detected only in bone marrow cells of mice expressing the fusion genes. These data clearly establish the leukemogenic role of PLZF-RARalpha and NPM-RARalpha and the importance of fusion receptor/corepressor interactions in the pathogenesis as well as in determining different clinical phenotypes of APL.

A study of siliceous pneumoconiosis in a desert area of Sunan County, Gansu Province, China.

Three hundred and ninety five residents in a desert area were examined with chest radiographs and 28 cases with siliceous pneumoconiosis were found. The prevalence of siliceous pneumoconiosis was 7.09%, and that over 40 years of age was 21%. The histological findings of lungs from a camel living in that area for 20 years also confirmed to have siliceous pneumoconiosis.

[A primitive study on the histological changes in the lungs of residents in the wind-sand area of Gansu Province].

395 residents in a wind-sand area were examined with chest radiographs. Silicotic roentgeno- graphic changes were shown in 28 cases. The abnormal finding rate of the > 40 years old age group was 21%. The histological findings of lungs from a camel lived in that area for 20 years also confirmed that the cause of death was silicosis.