Influence of Endogenous Bacteria on Behavioral Responses in Leptocybe invasa: An Analysis of mVOCs.

Microorganisms within insects play a vital role in maintaining the basal physiological functions of the insects, with olfactory signals as critical components of insect survival strategies. Leptocybe invasa (L. invasa), an invasive alien pest inflicting significant damage to eucalyptus trees, harbors a rich and varied bacterial community within its body. However, the impact of its endogenous bacteria and their microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (mVOCs) on the behavioral preferences of L. invasa remains unexplored to date. This study focused on nine cultivable and dominant endogenous bacterial strains within L. invasa. Using a Y-tube olfactometer, we investigated the behavioral responses of female L. invasa to the mVOCs emitted by these bacteria. Concurrently, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to quantify the mVOCs produced by these endogenous bacteria. Our findings revealed that Staphylococcus sp. exhibited the highest attractiveness of L. invasa, whereas Microbacterium sp. and E. cloacae exerted the most significant avoidance effects. The analysis of the mVOCs further highlighted the significance of aldehyde compounds, notably 2,3,6-trichlorobenzaldehyde, and alkane compounds, such as eicosane, in mediating the repellency and attraction effects. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the invasion mechanism of L. invasa and provide a scientific basis for developing novel biopesticides or elicitors.

Electrochemical oxidation of carbamazepine in water using enhanced blue TiO2 nanotube arrays anode on porous titanium substrate.

In this study, a blue TiO2 nanotube arrays anode on porous titanium substrate (Ti-porous/blue TiO2 NTA) was successfully fabricated by facile anodization and in situ reduction, and was used to investigate the electrochemical oxidation of carbamazepine (CBZ) in aqueous solution. The surface morphology and crystalline phase of the fabricated anode were characterized by SEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy and XPS, and the electrochemical analysis confirmed that blue TiO2 NTA on Ti-porous substrate had larger electroactive surface area, better electrochemical performance and higher ⋅OH generation ability than that on Ti-plate substrate. The removal efficiency of 20 mg L-1 CBZ in 0.05 M Na2SO4 solution reached 99.75% at 8 mA cm-2 after 60 min electrochemical oxidation, and the rate constant was 0.101 min-1 with low energy consumption. EPR analysis and free radical sacrificing experiments showed that ⋅OH played a key role in the electrochemical oxidation. The possible oxidation pathways of CBZ were proposed through the identification of degradation products, and the main reactions may involve deamidization, oxidization, hydroxylation and ring-opening. Compared with Ti-plate/blue TiO2 NTA anode, Ti-porous/blue TiO2 NTA anode displayed excellent stability and reusability, and is promising to be used in the electrochemical oxidation of CBZ in wastewater.

Safety and Viral Shedding of Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) in Chinese Healthy Juveniles and Adults: A Phase â Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety and viral shedding of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in Chinese healthy juveniles and adults. A total of 80 Eligible volunteers were divided into two age groups (≥18 and 3-17 years old). Volunteers were randomly and equally assigned to the experimental group and placebo-controlled group by ratio of 3:1 in each age group. Vaccination was carried out in steps. Totally, 34 (56.67%) adverse events and 24 (40.00%) adverse reactions of the LAIV group were reported. Most adverse reactions were grade 1 and grade 2, and the incidence of adverse reactions that grade 3 was 5%. The most common local reaction was runny nose/nasal congestion (n = 4, 6.67%). And the most common general reaction was fever (n = 10, 16.67%). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of total adverse reactions, different grades of adverse reactions, and symptoms between the experimental group and placebo-controlled group. No severe adverse events were reported. Three subjects (5.00%) had been detected vaccine strains on the 3rd day after LAIV vaccination; one was type B and the other two were H3N2. Four subjects (6.67%) had been detected with vaccine strains on the 7th day after LAIV vaccination, all were H3N2. There were no subjects detected carrying the influenza virus on the 15th day after vaccination. There were no statistically significant differences in the positive rate of vaccine strains of influenza virus between the experimental group and placebo-controlled group. The vaccine was well tolerated and not associated with increased rates in adverse reactions or the occurrence of severe adverse events. Pathogenicity of shed vaccine virus to surrounding people was not observed. Thus, Phase Ⅱ study can be carried out as scheduled.

Key LncRNAs Associated With Oxidative Stress Were Identified by GEO Database Data and Whole Blood Analysis of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Patients.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a major cause of low back pain, but the onset and progression of IDD are unknown. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has been validated to play a critical role in IDD, while an increasing number of studies have linked oxidative stress (OS) to the initiation and progression of IDD. We aim to investigate key lncRNAs in IDD through a comprehensive network of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) and to identify possible underlying mechanisms. Methods: We downloaded IDD-related gene expression data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and obtained differentially expressed-lncRNAs (DE-lncRNA), -microRNAs (DE-miRNA), and -messenger RNAs (DE-mRNA) by bioinformatics analysis. The OS-related lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA interaction axis was constructed and key lncRNAs were identified based on ceRNA theory. We performed gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses on mRNAs regulated by lncRNAs in the ceRNA network. Single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to reveal the immune landscape. Expression of key lncRNAs in IDD was assessed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: In this study, 111 DE-mRNAs, 20 DE-lncRNAs, and 502 DE-miRNAs were identified between IDD patients and controls, and 16 OS-related DE-lncRNAs were also identified. The resulting lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network consisted of eight OS-related DE-lncRNA nodes, 24 DE-miRNA nodes, 70 DE-mRNA nodes, and 183 edges. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that the ceRNA network may be involved in regulating biological processes related to cytokine secretion, lipid, and angiogenesis. We also identified four key lncRNAs, namely lncRNA GNAS-AS1, lncRNA MIR100HG, lncRNA LINC01359, and lncRNA LUCAT1, which were also found to be significantly associated with immune cells. Conclusion: These results provide novel insights into the potential applications of OS-related lncRNAs in patients with IDD.

Bacterial diversity of Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from different geographical conditions in China.

Insects harbor numerous endosymbionts, including bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses, which could affect the ecology and behavior of their hosts. However, data regarding the effect of environmental factors on endosymbiotic bacteria of Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) are quite rare. In this study, we assessed the diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria of L. invasa from 10 different geographic populations collected across China through the Illumina MiSeq platform. A total of 547 OTUs were generated, which were annotated into 19 phyla, 33 classes, 75 orders, 137 families, and 274 genera. The dominant bacteria detected in L. invasa were Rickettsia, and Pantoea, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Bacillus were also annotated among each population. Nevertheless, the endosymbiotic bacterial abundance and diversity varied among different populations, which was related to the local climate (annual mean high temperature). The bacterial function prediction analysis showed that these endosymbiotic bacteria were concentrated in metabolism, such as carbohydrate, amino acid, and energy metabolism. Overall, the results provide a comprehensive description of the endosymbiotic bacteria in 10 different populations of an important eucalyptus pest L. invasa, and help to understand the endosymbiotic bacterial diversity and adaptation of various conditions.

Genetic diversity analysis of the invasive gall pest Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Apodemidae) from China.

Leptocybe invasa Fisher et LaSalle is a global invasive pest that seriously damages Eucalyptus plants. Studying the genetic diversity, genetic structure and introgression hybridization of L. invasa in China is of great significance for clarifying the breeding strategy, future invasion and diffusion trends of L. invasa in China and developing scientific prevention and control measures. Genetic diversity and phylogenetic analyses of 320 L. invasa female adults from 14 geographic populations in China were conducted using 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci (SSRs) and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences (COIs). (1) The Bayesian phylogenetic tree and haplotype network diagram showed that only haplotype Hap3 existed in L. invasa lineage B in China, while haplotypes Hap1 and Hap2 existed in lineage A, among which haplotype Hap2 was found for the first time. The nucleotide and haplotype diversities of lineage A were higher than those of lineage B. (2) The SSR genetic diversity of the Wuzhou Guangxi, Ganzhou Jiangxi and Panzhihua Sichuan populations was higher than that of the other 11 populations, and the SSR genetic diversity of lineage A was higher than that of lineage B. (3) The AMOVA analysis of mitochondrial COI data showed that 75.55% of the variation was among populations, and 99.86% of the variation was between lineages, while the AMOVA analysis of nuclear SSR data showed that 35.26% of the variation was among populations, and 47.04% of the variation was between lineages. There were obvious differences in the sources of variation between the COI and SSR data. (4) The optimal K value of COI and SSR data in structure analysis was 2, and PCoA analysis also divided the dataset into two obvious categories. The UPMGA phylogenetic tree based on SSR data clustered 14 geographic species into two groups. The results of genetic structure analysis supported the existence of two lineages, A and B, in China. (5) Structural analysis showed that there was obvious introgressive hybridization in Wuzhou Guangxi, Ganzhou Jiangxi, Panzhihua Sichuan and other populations. These results suggest that lineage introgressive hybridization has occurred in the L. invasa population in China. The introgressive hybridization degree and genetic diversity of lineage A are obviously higher than those of lineage B. Lineage introgressive hybridization may be the driving force for further L. invasa invasion and diffusion in China in the future.

Comparison of bacterial diversity and abundance between sexes of Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from China.

BACKGROUND: Insects harbor a myriad of microorganisms, many of which can affect the sex ratio and manipulate the reproduction of the host. Leptocybe invasa is an invasive pest that causes serious damage to eucalyptus plantations, and the thelytokous parthenogenesis, low temperature resistance, protection in galls, generation overlap and small body of L. invasa contribute to its rapid invasion and population growth. However, the endosymbiotic bacterial composition, abundance and sex differences of L. invasa remain unclear. Therefore, this research aimed to identify the bacterial communities in L. invasa adults and compare them between the sexes of L. invasa lineage B. RESULTS: The Illumina MiSeq platform was used to compare bacterial community composition between females and males of L. invasa by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. A total of 1,320 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained. These OTUs were subdivided into 24 phyla, 71 classes, 130 orders, 245 families and 501 genera. At the genus level, the dominant bacteria in females and males were Rickettsia and Rhizobium, respectively. CONCLUSION: The endosymbiotic bacteria of L. invasa females and males were highly diverse. There were differences in the bacterial community of L. invasa between sexes, and the bacterial diversity in male specimens was greater than that in female specimens. This study presents a comprehensive comparison of bacterial communities in L. invasa and these data will provide an overall view of the bacterial community in both sexes of L. invasa with special attention on sex-related bacteria.

Electroacupuncture protects rats from ischemic brain injury via coffilin in mice.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to study the expression level of cofilin after electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment, using ischemic brain injury model in mice. In addition, infarct volume and neurological functions were measured to understand whether electroacupuncture stimulation could restore the functions of the brain. METHODS: Total of 36 mice was randomly divided into three groups: sham group, middle cerebral artery occlusion model (MACO), and middle cerebral artery occlusion model pretreated with EA (MACO + EA). Mice were stimulated at "Baihui (G20)" and "Dazhui (G14)" 24 hours before focal cerebral ischemia. Infarct volume and neuronal function of brain tissue were scored among different experimental groups. The expression level of cofilin and phosphocofilin of brain tissue were evaluated by using Western blot analysis. TUNEL assay was performed to determine the degree of cell apoptosis. RESULTS: Compared with the sham group, the level of cofilin was dramatically reduced in the MACO group. EA pretreatment could reduce the protein level of cofilin, while EA therapy could also upregulate the protein level of phosphocofilin. Improved neuronal function, smaller infarct volume, and reduced neuronal apoptosis were observed among the mice underwent EA before middle artery occlusion. CONCLUSION: Our results from Western blot analysis and TUNEL assay might suggest that the upregulation of cofilin was concerned with the EA protects rats from ischemic brain injury. Cofilin might be a potential target for developing drugs against brain ischemia.

A multi-event combination maintenance model based on event correlation.

Due to the complexity of large production systems, maintenance events are diverse, simultaneous and dynamic. Appropriate maintenance management of complex large production systems can guarantee high availability and save maintenance costs. However, current maintenance decision-making methods mainly focus on the maintenance events of single-components and series connection multi-components; little research pays attention to the combination maintenance of different maintenance events. Therefore, this paper proposes a multi-event combination maintenance model based on event correlation. First, the maintenance downtime and cost of three types of maintenance events under different maintenance beginning times and degrees are analysed. Then, shared maintenance downtime and cost models are established by maintenance event correlations. In addition, a multi-event combination maintenance model is constructed to achieve the goal of the highest availability and the lowest cost rate in both the decision-making cycle and the remaining life. Moreover, a particle swarm optimization algorithm based on interval segmentation for model solving is designed. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the model.

Self-marked HCN gas based FBG demodulation in thermal cycling process for aerospace environment.

The thermal cycling process experienced by spacecraft during orbital operation would lead to deterioration of the demodulation performance of fiber Bragg grating (FBG). A new demodulation method based on Fabry-Perot (F-P) filter and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas is proposed to improve the performance. The method skillfully utilizes the self-marked HCN absorption lines as absolute wavelength references. In the thermal cycling environment whose temperature ranging from 5°Cto 65°C,the fluctuation of demodulation wavelength reduces to ± 2.6 pm, which is improved by 3.1 times compared with traditional method. The proposed method also shows a good robustness in the cases of weak light source intensity and poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of HCN spectrum.

Lysine­specific demethylase 2 contributes to the proliferation of small cell lung cancer by regulating the expression of TFPI­2.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of lysine­specific demethylase 2 (LSD2) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and explore its underlying regulatory mechanism. Cell growth was tested by MTT assay and mRNA and protein expression was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q­PCR) and western blot analysis, respectively. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was used to investigate the degree of H3K4me2 enrichment in the promoter region of tissue factor pathway inhibitor­2 (TFPI­2). SCLC tissues and cell lines presented significantly higher expression of LSD2 and DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) and lower expression of TFPI­2 compared with the controls. In H1417 cells LSD2 overexpression increased the mRNA and protein expression of DNMT3B, while inhibiting the mRNA and protein expression of TFPI­2. Following transfection with short interfering (si) RNA­DNMT3B, the expression of TFPI­2 increased in H1417 cells. The results of ChIP demonstrated that compared with the controls, H3K4me1 enrichment in the TFPI­2 promoter region was to a lower degree in the H1417 cells with LSD2 overexpression and a higher degree in the H1417 cells with LSD2 silencing. MTT assays revealed that LSD2 overexpression significantly promoted the growth of H69, DMS­114 and H1417 cells, which was contradictory to the effect on LSD2 silencing. Compared with the LSD2 overexpression cells, SCLC cells with simultaneous overexpression of LSD2 and TFPI­2 demonstrated a decreased proliferation. These results suggest that LSD2 achieves a promoting effect on SCLC by indirectly regulating TFPI­2 expression through the mediation of DNMT3B expression or through the regulation of the demethylation of H3K4me1 in the promoter region of the TFPI­2 gene.

Characterizing the transcriptome and microsatellite markers for almond (Amygdalus communis L.) using the Illumina sequencing platform.

BACKGROUND: The almond tree (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) is an important nut tree grown in subtropical regions that produces nutrient-rich nuts. However, a paucity of genomic information and DNA markers has restricted the development of modern breeding technologies for almond trees. RESULTS: In this study, almonds were sequenced with Illumina paired-end sequencing technology to obtain transcriptome data and develop simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. We generated approximately 64 million clean reads from the various tissues of mixed almonds, and a total of 42,135 unigenes with an average length of 988 bp were obtained in the present study. A total of 27,586 unigenes (57.7% of all unigenes generated) were annotated using several databases. A total of 112,812 unigenes were annotated with the Gene Ontology (GO) database and assigned to 82 functional sub-groups, and 29,075 unigenes were assigned to the KOG database and classified into 25 function classifications. There were 9470 unigenes assigned to 129 Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways from five categories in the KEGG pathway database. We further identified 8641 SSR markers from 48,012 unigenes. A total of 100 SSR markers were randomly selected to validate quality, and 82 markers could amplify the specific products of A. communis L., whereas 70 markers were successfully transferable to five species (A. ledebouriana, A. mongolica, A. pedunculata, A. tangutica, and A. triloba). CONCLUSIONS: Our study was the first to produce public transcriptome data from almonds. The development of SSR markers will promote genetics research and breeding programmes for almonds.

Parasitoids of the eucalyptus gall wasp Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in China.

Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) is an invasive pest in Eucalyptus plantations throughout the world. Potential biological control agents for L. invasa were investigated in the Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Jiangxi, and Sichuan provinces of China, where Eucalyptus spp. have been severely damaged by the eucalyptus gall wasp. Three hymenopteran parasitoids of L. invasa were identified: Quadrastichus mendeli Kim & La Salle (Eulophidae), Aprostocetus causalis La Salle & Wu (Eulophidae), and Megastigmus viggianii Narendran & Sureshan (Torymidae); M. viggianii is newly recorded in China. The percentages of parasitization by Q. mendeli, A. causalis, and M. viggianii were 2.96%-19.53%, 2.30%-26.38%, and 24.93%, respectively. The longevity and body length of females were significantly greater than for males in A. causalis and M. viggianii. No males of Q. mendeli were found in China. These parasitoids could be used as biological agents for L. invasa in China.

The investigation of glucose metabolism and insulin secretion in subjects of chronic hepatitis B with cirrhosis.

AIMS: To investigate the situations of abnormal glucose metabolism and dysfunction of pancreatic islet beta cells in subjects of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with cirrhosis. METHODS: 106 hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive subjects with liver cirrhosis as well as with different grade of Child-Pugh and 37 healthy subjects were included in this study. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), C-peptide and insulin release test were detected. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were analyzed periodically for 2 h after oral glucose loading. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the level of fasting plasma glucose and C-peptide between cirrhosis group and control group (P>0.05). The levels of OGTT 2 h glucose, insulin and C peptide were significantly higher in cirrhosis group than control group (P<0.01). Peak plasma glucose levels were obtained at 60 min in normal group and cirrhosis group. The peak insulin and C-peptide response occurred at 60 min in normal group, whereas it was delayed to 120 min in cirrhosis group. There was a significant difference between two groups in the pattern of plasma glucose levels at corresponding time points (P<0.05). The OGTT 2 h glucose and insulin levels were positively correlated with Child-Pugh Score (r1 = 0.389, r2 = 0.508, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings implied that there was a certain degree of insulin resistance and abnormal glucose metabolism in the patients with liver cirrhosis.

Visual discrimination of phenolic group ß2-agonists and the ultrasensitive identification of their oxidation products by use of a tyrosinase-based catalytic reaction.

The fast, visual discrimination of ß2-agonist drugs is needed for the on-site screening of various types of ß2-agonists in blood and urine samples. We developed a simple, rapid, one-step colorimetric method to detect phenolic ß2-agonists by use of a tyrosinase catalytic reaction, which involved the oxidation of the phenol group on the benzene rings of ß2-agonists. The enzymatic oxidation products of ß2-agonists with phenolic groups exhibited different color transitions based on the different substituent groups on the aromatic ring, whereas ß2-agonists with the aniline group or the resorcinol group remained colorless. This visual color discrepancy has been used to intuitively and conveniently differentiate the phenolic group ß2-agonists, such as ractopamine, isoxsuprine, ritodrine, and fenoterol. The oxidation products of these compounds have been identified using mass spectrometry, and the possible reaction mechanisms between ß2-agonists and tyrosinase have been deduced. The parameters that govern the analytical performance of the reaction product, including the pH of the buffer solution, the concentration of tyrosinase, and the incubation time, have been studied and optimized using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy and electrochemical methods. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the absorbance intensity and electrochemical signal were found to increase proportionally to the concentrations of the phenolic group ß2-agonists, which gave a quantitative description of the ß2-agonists in solution.

[Immunological parameters on prophase of severe hepatitis B].

OBJECTIVE: To study cellular and humoral immune status on prophase of severe hepatitis B (PSHB). METHODS: 56 cases of PSHB patients, 40 cases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and 20 cases of healthy volunteers were enrolled for detection of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD3-/CD19+ (B cells) lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. Serum IgG and complement C3 was detected by immunoturbidimetry and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Compared with CHB group and healthy control group, percentage of lymphocyte subsets CD8+ were significantly lower in PSHB group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). While the percentage of lymphocyte subsets CD4+ and ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in PSHB group was obviously higher than those in CHB group (P < 0.+01 or P < 0.05). In addition, There was no significant difference on the percentage of B cell and level of serum IgG between PSHB group and CHB group (P > 0.05, while the level of serum complement C3 in PSHB group were significantly lower than those in CHB group and healthy control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PSHB has a certain degree of cellular immune dysfunction, which characterized by cellular immune function hyperfunction and humoral immune suppression.

[The characteristics of immunocompetent cells in peripheral blood on prophase of severe hepatitis B].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of immunocompetent cells in peripheral blood on prophase of severe hepatitis B (PSHB). METHODS: 48 cases of PSHB patients, 35 cases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and 20 cases of healthy volunteers were enrolled for detection of CD3+, CD3+/ CD4+, CD3+/CD8+ and CD4+/CD25+/CD45+ lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. The absolute numbers of each lymphocyte subset were calculated and analyzed statistically. Results Compared with CHB group and healthy control group, The absolute numbers of circulating CD3+, CD8+ T cells and CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were significantly lower in PSHB group( P < 0. 01 or P < 0.05). There was no significant difference on the absolute numbers of circulating CD4+ T cells between PSHB group and CHB group (P > 9.05), while the percentage of lymphocyte subsets CD4+ in PSHB group was significantly higher than that in CHB group (P < 0.05). In addition, CD4+/CD8+ ratio in PSHB were significantly higher than those in the CHB group and healthy control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PSHB has a certain degree of cellular immune dysfunction, which characterized by CD4+ T cells dominated and the decline of absolute numbers of CD8+ T cells and CD4+ CD25+ Tregs.

No association of the MTHFR gene A1298C polymorphism with the risk of prostate cancer: A meta-analysis.

Various studies have demonstrated that the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism contributes to the risk of prostate cancer, while other studies have provided conflicting findings. In the present study, we carried out a comprehensive meta-analysis with the aim of determining whether there is a significant association of the MTHFR gene A1298C polymorphism with the susceptibility of prostate cancer. Studies on the MTHFR gene A1298C polymorphism and prostate cancer were retrieved using the electronic PubMed database without any restriction on language through Aug 21, 2011. Data were abstracted by a standardized protocol. Crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the strength of association. The analyses were conducted with Review Manager software version 4.2. Nine case-control studies were identified, including 2,723 prostate cancer patients and 3,442 controls. Overall, no significant associations were found between the MTHFR gene A1298C polymorphism and prostate cancer (codominant models: CC vs. AA, OR=1.03, 95% CI 0.79-1.34, P=0.84; AC vs. AA, OR=1.04, 95% CI 0.93-1.16, P=0.46; dominant model: AC + CC vs. AA, OR=1.04, 95% CI 0.94-1.15, P=0.48; recessive model: CC vs. AC + AA, OR=1.02, 95% CI 0.76-1.35, P=0.91; allele model: C vs. A, OR=1.04, 95% CI 0.90-1.19, P=0.61). Similarly, in the subgroup analyses by DNA source, ethnicity, control source, pathological stage and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, no significant associations were observed. Our meta-analysis suggests that the MTHFR gene A1298C polymorphism is not associated with the risk of prostate cancer.

[Simultaneous determination of water-soluble vitamins C, B1, B2 and B6 in almonds by high performance liquid chromatography].

A method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of four water-soluble vitamins C, B1, B2 and B6 in almond by high performance liquid chromatography. The contents of vitamins C, B1, B2 and B6 in almonds in Pucheng County, Shaanxi Province were determined under optimized conditions as follows. In the first step, the sample was prepared by acid hydrolysis. In the second step, the separation was performed on an Inertsil ODS-3 column (25 cm x 4.6 mm i. d. , 5.0 microm) with a mobile phase of 0.05 mol/L KH2PO4 (pH 6.0)-methanol (70: 30, v/v) and a detection wavelength at 265 nm. The linear ranges of four vitamins were within 5.0 - 50.0 mg/L (r = 0. 999 0 - 0. 999 7). At the spike level ranged between 5.0 - 20.0 mg/kg, the average recoveries of the four vitamins in the Pucheng almond ranged from 91.77% to 99.30% with relative standard deviations between 0.31% and 1.98%. For vitamins B2 and B1, the contents were found to be 4.27 - 4.53 mg/kg and 0.799 - 0.838 mg/kg, respectively, while vitamins C and B6 were not discovered in Pucheng almonds. The method is simple, rapid, reproducible and accurate.