Integrated analysis of metabolome, transcriptome, and bioclimatic factors of Acer truncatum seeds reveals key candidate genes related to unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and potentially optimal production area.

Background: Lipids found in plant seeds are essential for controlling seed dormancy, dispersal, and defenses against biotic and abiotic stress. Additionally, these lipids provide nutrition and energy and are therefore important to the human diet as edible oils. Acer truncatum, which belongs to the Aceaceae family, is widely cultivated around the world for its ornamental value.

Combined genome-wide association studies and expression quantitative trait locus analysis uncovers a genetic regulatory network of floral organ number in a tree peony ( Andrews) breeding population.

Great progress has been made in our understanding of floral organ identity determination and its regulatory network in many species; however, the quantitative genetic basis of floral organ number variation is far less well understood for species-specific traits from the perspective of population variation. Here, using a tree peony ( Andrews, Paeoniaceae) cultivar population as a model, the phenotypic polymorphism and genetic variation based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis were analyzed. Based on 24 phenotypic traits of 271 representative cultivars, the transcript profiles of 119 cultivars were obtained, which indicated abundant genetic variation in tree peony.

The Effects of Chinese Medicine QRD, Antibiotics, and Probiotics on Therapy and Gut Microbiota in Septic Rats.

Sepsis is a common and often treacherous medical emergency with a high mortality and long-term complications in survivors. Though antibiotic therapy can reduce death rate of sepsis significantly, it impairs gut microbiota (GM), which play imperative roles in human health. In this study, we compared the therapeutic effects of antibiotics, probiotics, and Chinese medicine QRD on the survival rates of septic model and observed the GM characteristics of experimental rats 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.

The effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on the relative expression of the lipid metabolism genes in mouse cholesterol gallstone models.

Background: Many studies indicate that gallstone formation has genetic components. The abnormal expression of lipid-related genes could be the basis for particular forms of cholesterol gallstone disease. The aim of this study was to obtain insight into lipid metabolism disorder during cholesterol gallstone formation and to evaluate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on the improvement of bile lithogenicity and its potential influence on the transcription of lipid-related genes.

Hepatic Autophagy Deficiency Compromises Farnesoid X Receptor Functionality and Causes Cholestatic Injury.

Autophagy is important for hepatic homeostasis, nutrient regeneration, and organelle quality control. We investigated the mechanisms by which liver injury occurred in the absence of autophagy function. We found that mice deficient in autophagy because of the lack of autophagy-related gene 7 or autophagy-related gene 5, key autophagy-related genes, manifested intracellular cholestasis with increased levels of serum bile acids, a higher ratio of tauromuricholic acid/taurocholic acid in the bile, increased hepatic bile acid load, abnormal bile canaliculi, and altered expression of hepatic transporters.

Protective Effects of Yinchenhao Decoction on Cholesterol Gallstone in Mice Fed a Lithogenic Diet by Regulating LXR, CYP7A1, CYP7B1, and HMGCR Pathways.

The study attempted to elucidate whether lipid genes are closely associated with lipid metabolic abnormalities during the lithogenic time and how Yinchenhao Decoction (YCHD) works on the transcriptions of lipid genes against cholesterol gallstone model. C57BL/6J mice fed on lithogenic diet (LD) were used for model establishment and randomized into 5 groups. All groups received LD for different weeks with isometrically intragastric administration of YCHD or NS.

Hepatitis C virus genotypes and subtypes circulating in Mainland China.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) exhibits global genotypic diversity. HCV genotyping plays an important role in epidemiological studies and clinical management. Herein, we report the results of HCV genotype and subtype detection in a large number of clinical samples, as performed by an independent laboratory in China.

Direct Detection and Identification of Bacterial Pathogens from Urine with Optimized Specimen Processing and Enhanced Testing Algorithm.

Rapid and accurate detection and identification of microbial pathogens causing urinary tract infections allow prompt and specific treatment. We optimized specimen processing to maximize the limit of detection (LOD) by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and evaluated the capacity of combination of MALDI-TOF MS and urine analysis (UA) for direct detection and identification of bacterial pathogens from urine samples. The optimal volumes of processed urine, formic acid/acetonitrile, and supernatant spotted onto the target plate were 15 ml, 3 μl, and 3 μl, respectively, yielding a LOD of 1.

Prevalence and Genotype Distribution of HPV Infection in China: Analysis of 51,345 HPV Genotyping Results from China's Largest CAP Certified Laboratory.

Introduction: The prevalence of cervical Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection varies greatly worldwide and data regarding HPV prevalence and genotypes in China are limited.

Methods: HPV testing results were retrospectively examined at KingMed Diagnostics, the largest independent pathology laboratory in China, from January 2011 to June 2014. All testing was performed using the 26 HPV Genotyping Panel of Tellgenplex (TM) xMAP™ HPV DNA Test assay (TELLGEN, Shanghai, China).

Gene Expression Analysis Indicates Divergent Mechanisms in DEN-Induced Carcinogenesis in Wild Type and Bid-Deficient Livers.

Bid is a Bcl-2 family protein. In addition to its pro-apoptosis function, Bid can also promote cell proliferation, maintain S phase checkpoint, and facilitate inflammasome activation. Bid plays important roles in tissue injury and regeneration, hematopoietic homeostasis, and tumorigenesis.

Prevalence of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection in China: Analysis of 671,163 Human Papillomavirus Test Results From China's Largest College of American Pathologists-Certified Laboratory.

Objectives: This study on human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in China's largest independent laboratory accredited by the international Laboratory Accreditation Program of the College of American Pathologists extends previous reports on cervical screening test results from this Chinese facility.

Methods: A retrospective laboratory database search from 2007 to 2014 documented high-risk HPV test results using either Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2; Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) or multiplex polymerase chain reaction fluorescence testing (MPFT) methods.

Results: During the study period, HPV testing steadily increased, with 643,702 HC2 and 27,641 MPFT HPV tests performed.

International telepathology consultation: Three years of experience between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and KingMed Diagnostics in China.

Background: Telepathology is increasingly being employed to support diagnostic consultation services. Prior publications have addressed technology aspects for telepathology, whereas this paper will address the clinical telepathology experience of KingMed Diagnostics, the largest independent pathology medical laboratory in China. Beginning in 2012 the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and KingMed Diagnostics partnered to establish an international telepathology consultation service.

Nationwide prevalence of human papillomavirus infection and viral genotype distribution in 37 cities in China.

Background: Type-specific high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infection is related to cervical carcinogenesis. The prevalence of hrHPV infection varies geographically, which might reflect the epidemiological characteristics of cervical cancer among different populations. To establish a foundation for HPV-based screening and vaccination programs in China, we investigated the most recent HPV prevalence and genotypic distributions in different female age groups and geographical regions in China.

SUMOylation alterations are associated with multidrug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The development of multidrug resistance (MDR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may markedly reduce the efficacy of its chemotherapeutic treatment. However, the mechanism regulating the development of MDR in these tumors remains unknown. Given the emerging role of small ubiquitin‑like modifier (SUMO)ylation in tumorigenesis, the possibility that it may also be involved in MDR development was investigated.

Preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of a nitric oxide-inducible lactate dehydrogenase from Staphylococcus aureus.

Recent studies have indicated that Staphylococcus aureus can survive the nitrosative stress (caused by the radical nitric oxide; NO.) mounted by the immune system of the infected host. It does this by expressing a nitric oxide-inducible L-lactate dehydrogenase (Sa-LDH-1).