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This study was conducted to identify new quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that have stable effects for eating and cooking quality (ECQ) of rice. Three recombinant inbred line populations of indica rice were each planted in two years. Three traits for ECQ, amylose content (AC), gel consistency (GC) and alkali spreading value (ASV), were measured for QTL analysis. A total of 13 QTLs were detected, including four for AC, six for ASV and three for GC. Two QTLs, qGC4 in the interval RM16252–RM335 on the short arm of chromosome 4 and qGC6.2 in the Alk region, were validated in a population derived from a residual heterozygote that was homozygous at the major locus Wx. In the absence of segregation at the Wx locus, qGC4 and qGC6.2 had additive effects of 2.46 and 8.18 mm, respectively, offering a potential for improving GC property of rice varieties. Comparison between qGC4 and previous results suggests that qGC4 is likely a new QTL for GC, providing a candidate for gene cloning and functional characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T(15;17) is the most common chromosomal aberration in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), leading to the formation of PML-RARα fusion gene. In a small subset of patients with APL, the RARα gene is fused with different partners. Here, we report a rare APL case with STAT5B-RARα fusion transcript. Cytomorphologic and immunophenotypic analyses showed typical features of APL. However, cytogenetic analysis showed normal karyotype, and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed PML-RARα negative. Quantitative RT-PCR also showed PML-RARα negative but STAT5B-RARα positive and sequencing analysis confirmed the result. Molecular markers including FLT3, NPM1, c-Kit and C/EBPα mutation were all negative. To our knowledge, this is the first APL patient with STAT5B-RARα in Chinese population and the fifth patient around the world according to published paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in mediating the effects of electrical stimulation of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) on apoptosis and proliferation induced by gastric ischaemia–reperfusion injury (GI/RI). 2. To investigate the effects of electrical stimulation of the hypothalamic PVN on gastric mucosal apoptosis and proliferation in response to ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R), we used a GI/RI model by clamping the coeliac artery for 30 min and then reperfusing the artery for 30 min or 1, 3 or 6 h. We used immunohistochemistry and western blotting to investigate the expression, activation and distribution of ERKs and the dynamic changes in their downstream cellular factors Bcl-2 and Bax at different times subsequent to electrical stimulation of the PVN in the I/R-injured gastric mucosa. 3. Electrical stimulation of the PVN markedly attenuated GI/RI at 30 min and 1 and 3 h after reperfusion. Electrical stimulation decreased gastric mucosal apoptosis, increased gastric mucosal proliferation and promoted the expression and activation of phosphorylated (p)-ERK1/2 30 min after reperfusion. Electrical stimulation increased the expression of Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of Bax at 30 min and 1 and 3 h after reperfusion. In contrast, inhibition of ERK1/2 activity by the specific upstream mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059 produced similar effects at 1 h after reperfusion in rats subjected to I/R with or without electrical stimulation of the PVN. Administration of PD98059 aggravated gastric mucosal injury, increased apoptosis, decreased proliferation in gastric mucosal cells, decreased the expression and activity of p-ERK1/2 and Bcl-2 expression and increased Bax expression. 4. These results indicate that the PVN protects against GI/RI and that this protection is associated with the inhibition of cellular apoptosis and the promotion of proliferation in the gastric mucosa, probably by activating the ERK pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]