MNS, Duffy, and Kell blood groups among the Uygur population of Xinjiang, China.

Human blood groups are a significant resource for patients, leading to a fierce international competition in the screening of rare blood groups. Some rare blood group screening programs have been implemented in western countries and Japan, but not particularly in China. Recently, the genetic background of ABO and Rh blood groups for different ethnic groups or regions in China has been focused on increasingly. However, rare blood groups such as MN, Duffy, Kidd, MNS, and Diego are largely unexplored. No systematic reports exist concerning the polymorphisms and allele frequencies of rare blood groups in China's ethnic minorities such as Uygur and Kazak populations of Xinjiang, unlike those on the Han population. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the allele frequencies of rare blood groups, namely, MNS, Duffy, Kell, Dombrock, Diego, Kidd, Scianna, Colton, and Lutheran in the Uygur population of Xinjiang Single specific primer-polymerase chain reaction was performed for genotyping and statistical analysis of 9 rare blood groups in 158 Uygur individuals. Allele frequencies were compared with distribution among other ethnic groups. Observed and expected values of genotype frequencies were compared using the chi-square test. Genotype frequencies obeyed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.5) and allele frequencies were stable. Of all subjects detected, 4 cases carried the rare phenotype S-s- of MNS blood group (frequency of 0.0253), and 1 case carried the phenotype Jka-b- (frequency of 0.0063). Frequencies of the four groups, MNS, Duffy, Dombrock, and Diego, in the Uygur population differed from those in other ethnic groups. Gene distribution of the Kell, Kidd, and Colton was similar to that in Tibetan and Han populations, though there were some discrepancies. Gene distribution of Scianna and Lutheran groups showed monomorphism similar to that in Tibetan and Han populations. These findings could contribute to the investigation of the origin, evolution, and hematology of Uygur population of Xinjiang and assist in screening of rare blood groups in ethnic minorities, meeting of clinical blood supply demands, and building of the national rare blood group library.

Defective eyelid leading edge cell migration in C57BL/6-corneal opacity mice with an "eye open at birth" phenotype.

Development of the eyelid requires coordination of the cellular processes involved in proliferation, cell size alteration, migration, and cell death. C57BL/6J-corneal opacity (B6-Co) mice are mutant mice generated by the administration of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (100 mg/kg). They exhibit the eyelids open at birth phenotype, abnormal round cell shape from tightened F-actin bundles in leading edge keratinocytes at E16.5, and gradual corneal opacity with neovessels. The tip of the leading edge in B6-Co mice did not move forward, and demonstrated a sharp peak shape without obvious directionality. Analysis of the biological characteristics of B6-Co mice demonstrated that abnormal migration of keratinocytes could affect eyelid development, but proliferation and apoptosis in B6-Co mice had no effect. Mutant gene mapping and sequence analysis demonstrated that in B6-Co mice, adenosine was inserted into the untranslated regions, between 3030 and 3031, in the mRNA 3'-terminal of Fgf10. In addition, guanine 7112 was substituted by adenine in the Mtap1B mRNA, and an A2333T mutation was identified in Mtap1B. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that expression of the Hbegf gene was significantly down-regulated in the eyelids of B6- Co mice at E16.5, compared to B6 mice. However, the expression of Rock1, Map3k1, and Jnk1 genes did not show any significant changes. Abnormal keratinocyte migration and down-regulated expression of the Hbegf gene might be associated with impaired eyelid development in B6-Co mice.

Effects of flurbiprofen axetil on postoperative serum IL-2 and IL-6 levels in patients with colorectal cancer.

We explored the effects of flurbiprofen axetil on interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-6 levels in postoperative patients with colorectal cancer. A total of 120 patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II) scheduled to undergo colorectal cancer surgery were randomly divided into 3 groups (N = 40 in each group): flurbiprofen axetil group (group F), morphine group (group M), and tramadol group (group T). Group M received 0.1 mg/kg morphine, group T received 1.5 mg/kg tramadol, and group F received 1.5 mg/kg flurbiprofen axetil. Patients in the 3 groups were administered treatments through intravenous injection 10 min before surgery. Serum IL-2 and IL-6 levels were detected. Postoperative adverse reactions were recorded, such as nausea, vomiting, and pruritus. The serum IL-6 level of the 3 groups increased 3 h after surgery. Compared with group M, IL-6 level was higher in group T and group F at 1 day after the surgery, and the differences between group M and the other groups were significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence of adverse reactions was significantly different among 3 groups (P < 0.05). Flurbiprofen axetil promoted the secretion of IL-2 and inhibited IL-6; additionally, flurbiprofen axetil may have a lower incidence of adverse reactions compared to other treatments.

Molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis of WAG-1 in the pistillody line of common wheat.

Wheat WAG-1 is a C-class MADS-box gene, which is orthologous to AGAMOUS in Arabidopsis. In this study, we report the cloning, characterization, and expression patterns of WAG-1 in the pistillody mutant HTS-1 and its sib-line CSTP. The cDNA of WAG-1 was found to be 765 bp in length, which was equal to the length of its open reading frame, encoding 254 amino acids. The location of WAG-1 revealed that it has three homologous genes from the short arm of chromosome 1A, 1B, and 1D. Their genomic sequences were determined to be 5864, 6454, and 6447 bp long, respectively, and possessed seven exons and six introns. Young spikes from HTS-1 contained higher levels of WAG-1 transcript than did those from CSTP, and the transcript levels in the young spikes (7-10 mm in length) of HTS-1 increased 3.3-fold relative to those of the CSTP line. The transcript level in the pistil and pistil-like stamens of HTS-1 was over 2-fold higher than that in the stamens of CSTP, and expression in the pistil-like stamens of HTS-1 was slightly higher than that in its pistils. These data provide a basis for future research into the function of WAG-1, and offer further insight into the molecular mechanism of the pistillody mutation in common wheat.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of purple acid phosphatase gene from pearl oyster Pinctada martensii.

Purple acid phosphatases (PAPs), also known as type 5 acid phosphatases, are widely present in animals, plants, and fungi. In mammal, PAP was reported to participate in immune defense and bone resorption. In this study, the characteristics and potential functions of a PAP gene from pearl oyster Pinctada martensii (pm-PAP) were examined. The Pm-PAP cDNA was found to be 2777 base pairs, containing a 1581-base pair open reading fragment encoding for 526 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 60.1 kDa and theoretical isoelectric point of 5.82. One signal peptide and five conserved motifs [GDXX/GDXXY/GNH(D/E)/XXXH/(A/G)HXH] were present in the entire sequence. Tissue expression profile analysis showed that pm-PAP mRNA was constitutively expressed in all tissues studied with abundant mRNA found in mollusk defense system, including hepatopancreas, gill, and hemocytes. After lipopolysaccharide stimulation, the expression of pm-PAP mRNA in hemocytes was dramatically upregulated at 2 h and achieved the highest level at 36 h. Additionally, pm-PAP mRNA expression was significantly increased and achieved the highest level at 2 days after the surgical implantation during pearl production. These results suggest that pm-PAP is a constitutive and inducible protein that may be involved in the immune defense of pearl oyster.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of a pearl oyster (Pinctada martensii) heat shock protein 90 (HSP90).

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is an important molecular chaperone required for proper folding of cellular proteins, and thus, it plays an essential role in protecting cells from damage during stress. In this study, an HSP90 cDNA designated PmHSP90 was cloned from the mantle tissue of the pearl oyster Pinctada martensii using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) coupled with the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) approach. PmHSP90 cDNA was 2584 bp in length, including an open reading frame of 2160 bp, which encodes a polypeptide of 719 amino acid residues, with predicted molecular mass and isoelectric point of 83.0 kDa and 4.87, respectively. Multiple-sequence alignment indicated that HSP90 is highly conserved among species, and PmHSP90 showed 89% sequence identity to Crassostrea gigas HSP90. Five conserved amino acid blocks defined as HSP90 protein family signatures were also observed in PmHSP90, indicating that PmHSP90 may be a cytosolic member of the HSP90 family. Expression levels of PmHSP90 were detected in various tissues of P. martensii and in hemocytes under three different stress conditions using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The results demonstrate that PmHSP90 mRNA is constitutively expressed in all the tested tissues and may be involved in the immune response against thermal stress, lipopolysaccharide stimulation, and nucleus insertion operations. Studies on PmHSP90 are a valuable source to further explore the immune system in pearl oysters during the production of pearls, and may enhance our knowledge of molluscan innate immunity.

Molecular characterization of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in pearl oyster Pinctada martensii.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is a key signaling adaptor molecule for tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and Toll-like receptor/interleukin-1 receptor family members. It signals the upstream receptors and is involved in a wide range of biological functions, such as immunity and bone metabolism. In this report, the TRAF6 gene from the pearl oyster Pinctada martensii (designated as PmTRAF6) was identified and characterized. The obtained full-length PmTRAF6 cDNA was 2273 bp, containing a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of 297 bp, a 3'-UTR of 128 bp with a 42-bp poly (A) tail, and an open reading frame of 1848 bp that encoded 616-amino acid residues. The deduced protein sequence of PmTRAF6 contained a conserved TRAF family motif including a RING-type zinc finger, two TRAF-type zinc fingers, and a coiled-coil region followed by one meprin and TRAF homology domain. Multiple-sequence alignment indicated that TRAF6 was highly conserved among species, and PmTRAF6 showed 53% sequence identity to Azumapecten farreri and Mizuhopecten yessoensis. Furthermore, an amino acid sequence containing a low-complexity region was inserted in the TRAF6s from mollusk. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that PmTRAF6 was constitutively expressed in all tissues studied, with the most abundant mRNA expression in hepatopancreas and gill in P. martensii. After lipopolysaccharide stimulation, the expression of PmTRAF6 mRNA was dramatically upregulated. These results suggested that the obtained PmTRAF6 was a member of the TRAF6 family and perhaps involved in the innate immune response of pearl oyster.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA loci from the peanut worm, Sipunculus nudus.

Sipunculus nudus, the peanut worm, is the best known species in its genus. This unsegmented subtidal marine worm is consumed in some parts of Asia and is also used as fish bait. We found 20 microsatellite DNA markers for S. nudus. The number of alleles per polymorphic locus ranged from two to seven in a sample of 39 individuals. Observed and expected heterozygosities per polymorphic locus varied from 0.103 to 1.000 and from 0.307 to 0.771, respectively. Five loci showed significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after sequential Bonferroni's correction. No significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was found. These microsatellite markers will provide useful tools for investigating genetic population structure, population history and conservation management of S. nudus.