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PIRA-PCR ( rimer- ntroduced estriction nalysis PCR) was developed to detect isolates of Fusarium graminearum with moderate resistance to carbendazim, a methyl benzimidazole carbamate (MBC)-group fungicide. Two primer pairs were designed and synthesized according to the nucleotide sequence of the β2-tubulin gene from F. graminearum. Fragments of 164 bp were amplified by nested PCR from isolates differing in carbendazim sensitivity. A HindIII restriction enzyme recognition site was introduced artificially by inner primers to detect a mutation at codon 167, and TaaI ( Tsp4CI) restriction enzyme was used to detect a mutation at codon 200. The sensitivity of isolates to carbendazim was determined by analyzing electrophoresis patterns of the resulting PCR products after simultaneous digestion with both HindIII and TaaI. Results from PIRA-PCR and a conventional method (mycelial growth on agar) were identical but PIRA-PCR required only 7–8 h while the conventional method required 5–7 days. This study demonstrates that PIRA-PCR not only monitors the appearance of moderately resistant isolates, but can be useful for detecting genotypes of F. graminearum with moderate resistance to carbendazim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungicide JS399-19 is a novel cyanoacrylate fungicide active against Gibberella zeae, and has been marketed in China for control of fusarium head blight (FHB) on wheat. Forty-three isolates sensitive to fungicide JS399-19 were collected from three commercial wheat fields in China. Forty-five isolates resistant to JS399-19, obtained from five sensitive isolates by selection for resistance to JS399-19, were selected. Three sensitivity levels were identified: sensitive (S), moderately resistant (MR) and highly resistant (HR) to JS399-19, based on a previous study. Eight isolates representing the three sensitivity-level phenotypes were randomly selected for a study on the inheritance of JS399-19 resistance by analysing the sensitivity of hybrid F1 progeny. A nitrate-non-utilizing mutant ( nit) was used as a genetic marker to confirm that individual perithecia were the result of outcrossing. Five crosses were assessed: S × S, S × HR, MR × HR, HR × HR and MR × S. In crosses between parents with different sensitivity levels, such as S × HR, MR × HR and MR × S, the progeny fitted a 1:1 segregation ratio of the two parental phenotypes. No segregation was observed in the crosses S × S and HR × HR. It was concluded that the MR and HR phenotypes in G. zeae were conferred by different allelic mutations within the same locus. In these isolates, resistance to JS399-19 was not affected by modifying genes or cytoplasmic components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies indicate the distribution of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related genes A (MICA) and B (MICB) alleles and haplotypes varies widely between different ethnic populations and geographic areas. It is meaningful to investigate allelic frequencies and establish a genetic database. In this study, we firstly reported the polymorphic variation of MICA/B in 187 healthy, unrelated Tujia individuals in Zhangjiajie region, China. Using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific priming (PCR-SSP) and sequencing-based typing (PCR-SBT), we identified eight MICA-sequence alleles, four MICA-short tandem repeat variants, and 13 MICB variants, of which MICA(∗)008:04 (29.41%), MICA(∗)A5 (29.68%), MICA(∗)A5.1 (29.68%) and MICB(∗)005:02 (39.57%) were the most frequent. Linkage disequilibrium analysis further revealed MICB(∗)005:02-MICA(∗)019 (13.10%) and MICB(∗)002-MICA(∗)008:04 (9.89%) as the most common two-locus haplotypes. Data comparison by neighbor-joining dendrograms and principal component analysis to verify allelic frequencies in other Chinese and Asia ethnic groups showed that the Zhangjiajie Tujias were genetically closer to the Guangdong Han population, based on MICA loci variability. Our results provide new information about the MICA/B gene polymorphism in Chinese Tujia population, which will form the basis for future studies on the potential role of MICA/B in allogeneic organ transplantation and disease susceptibility in related ethnic groups., (Copyright © 2016 American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

One hundred eighty-seven Tujia individuals from Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China were genotyped at the MICA and MICB loci using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific priming and sequencing-based typing methods. MICA and MCB genotypes are consistent with expected HW proportions. These genotype data are available in the Allele Frequencies Net Database., (Copyright © 2016 American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Zhuang ethnic minority is the largest minority group in China. Here, we report for the first time the polymorphisms of MICA and MICB in a healthy Zhuang population of 209 unrelated individuals. Using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific priming (PCR-SSP) and sequencing-based typing (PCR-SBT), 13 MICA-sequence alleles and 5 MICA-STR alleles, as well as 11 MICB alleles were detected, among which MICA(∗)010, MICA(∗)A5 and MICB(∗)005:02 were the most frequent alleles. Linkage disequilibria was investigated and the most common two-locus haplotypes were MICB(∗)005:02-MICA(∗)010 and MICB(∗)014-MICA(∗)045. These results suggest informative genetic markers for investigating origins and evolution of MHC class I region haplotypes in Zhuang population., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: To establish a pigmentation spot model on human skin and to assess whitening efficacy for whitening products by this established pigmentation spot model., Methods: Twenty subjects between 20 and 45 years old with skin phototype III or IV were selected. Three consecutive daily UV exposures were performed on buttocks of the subjects as follows: Day 1=1 minimal erythema dose (MED), Day 2=0.5 MED and Day 3=0.5 MED. After the first UV exposure, a selected whitening product was applied to the subjects twice a day on UV exposure area. The application of the whitening product to subjects on the exposed areas was continued till Day 27. CM2500d chromameter, Maxmeter MX18 and visual evaluation were used to assess changes of skin color., Results: A pigmentation spot model after UV exposure was established. The measurement of the pigment spot showed that L* value declined abruptly at Day 3 and then slowly reached to a lowest point at Day 6. L* value of the pigment spot almost remained at the same level until Day 20, thereafter increased slowly. The a* value showed an abrupt increase at Day 3 and slowly reached to a maximal level at Day 6. The a* value slowly declined toward its baseline level. Likewise, the erythema index also increased significantly at Day 3, and reached to a maximal level at Day 6 and then slowly declined. However, L*, a* and erythema indices did not return to their baseline levels during the 27-day period of this study. On the other hand, b* value started to increase from Day 3 and such increase was observed continuously to Day 27. Melanin index also showed a slow increase during the first 3 days. It started to increase rapidly from Day 3 and a to maximal level at Day 9 and maintain at a plateau till Day 27 (with an exception at Day 13). To assess the whitening product by this pigmentation spot model, DeltaL, Deltab*, and DeltaM values were analyzed. It showed that absolute DeltaL value and Deltab*value of whitening products were lower than those values of the vehicle of the whitening product at each checkpoint, while DeltaM value of the whitening product was lower only at Day 9 and Day 20, although no statistically significant differences was found. The visual results also strongly supported that the whitening product enhanced the decrease of pigmentation., Conclusion: This study showed that repeated UV exposure was able to induce a long extensive period of pigment formation. The resulted pigmentation spot was able to maintain at an elevated level till Day 20. Clinical subjective evaluations together with combined objective instrument measurements were still important to assess whitening and spot-removing ability of a material due to the instrument limitation for color differentiations. This kind of pigmentation spot model can be used to assess whitening efficacy for whitening or spot-removing products. In addition, the combinations of subjective and objective methods were able to serve as advisable references to assess the whitening efficacy of products.

Study Objectives: To assess the frequencies of three polymorphisms at amino acid positions 16, 27, and 164 of the beta(2)-adrenoceptor (beta(2)-AR) gene and their effects on COPD patients., Design: Prospective, case-control study, Patients: Sixty-five patients with COPD and 41 healthy subjects were included., Measurements: Polymorphisms of the beta(2)-AR coding block were delineated using an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach. The allele-specific PCR technique was verified by direct dideoxy sequencing of PCR products. Pulmonary function tests were performed in all patients., Results: The Arg16 beta(2)-AR polymorphism was less prevalent in COPD patients than in healthy populations (p = 0.01). A significant correlation (p < 0.018) between the Gln27 beta(2)-AR polymorphism and FEV(1) percent predicted value was found. Patients with the Gln27 polymorphism had a higher percentage of low FEV(1) percent predicted than did patients with the GlnGlu and GluGlu variants., Conclusions: The polymorphism of Gly16 may increase the patient's susceptibility to the development of COPD. The Gln27 beta(2)-AR polymorphism may be associated with the severity of COPD in a Chinese population.

To search for non-genetic risk factors for Type 1 diabetes among Chinese, a total of 117 Type 1 diabetes patients identified from the Taipei Type 1 Diabetes Registry and 193 frequency-matched controls with normal glucose tolerance were recruited. The controls were selected from classmates or colleagues of cases with similar distributions of age, sex, and parental and individual educational levels. Information on Type 1 diabetes risk factors was obtained through standardized interviews according to a structured questionnaire administered by two trained nurses. In the univariate analyses, the order of pregnancy of the study subject, the number of spontaneous and induced abortions reported by the mother before giving birth to the study subjects, the duration of breast-feeding and monthly family income were significantly associated with Type 1 diabetes in a dose-response manner. There was a U-shaped relationship with Type 1 diabetes for birth weight and paternal age at the conception of the study subjects. After further adjustment for multiple risk factors through logistic regression analysis, the biological gradient for pregnancy order, duration of breast-feeding, and the U-shaped relationship for paternal age remained statistically significant.

The uncommon allele (TNF2) of a polymorphism in the promoter region of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene has been reported to be increased in Caucasian systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (associated with HLA-DR3). To investigate whether TNF2 contributes towards susceptibility to Chinese SLE patients (not associated with HLA-DR3), 100 patients with SLE and 107 controls were studied. The frequency of TNF2 allele in controls was 0.140. There was a strong association between TNF2 allele and HLA-DR3 (P < 10(-8)) in controls. The frequency of TNF2 allele in SLE patients was 0.15. There was no difference in frequencies of TNF2 allele between patients and controls. This finding strongly suggests that TNF2 does not play a direct role in the susceptibility of SLE.

The influence of social and biologic factors on sudden infant death was studied in a large Chinese population. Data from all birth certificates in Taiwan from 1988 to 1992 were merged with death certificate data for postneonatal deaths from sudden infant death syndrome and suffocation. The Cox's proportional hazard model was used to compute multivariate adjusted relative risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals. Age difference of parents of more than 10 years was associated with a relative risk (RR) of 1.8 (multivariate adjusted, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-2.3). Better than elementary education for the father was protective (adjusted RR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-1.0, p < 0.05), and college education of the mother elevated the risk (adjusted RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.4, p < 0.05). Infants born second to fourth had an adjusted RR of 1.7 (95% CI 1.5-1.9), and infants born fifth or higher had a RR of 2.3 (95% CI 1.5-3.4). The multivariate adjusted RR for low birth weight and prematurity were 2.3 (95% CI 1.9-2.8) and 1.2 (95% CI 1.0-1.5), respectively. Data from this 5-year cohort in Taiwan emphasize biologic and social variables as important risk factors of sudden infant death in Chinese babies.

Background: Breast cancer is increasing rapidly in Taiwan. A geographic variation, international comparison and migrant study has become essential for the development of hypotheses to account for this., Materials and Methods: Age-adjusted mortality rates of breast cancer patients from all precincts and townships of Taiwan were calculated for a geographic variation study, and summarized for an international comparison. Age-specific and adjusted incidence rates of breast cancer in Taipei City were used for a migrant study., Results: Age-adjusted mortality from breast cancer was highest in the Taipei and lowest in aboriginal areas. Oriental countries have significantly lower mortality rates from breast cancer but the incidence of breast cancer among Chinese women, and the difference between younger and older age groups has increased together with the degree of westernization in residential areas. Chinese women were found to have lower incidence rates than white women of the same area. We concluded that diet, reproductive behavior, and hereditary factors are involved in the development of breast cancer.

In order to examine the chronological changes in genetic variance and heritability of arterial systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP of Chinese infants in Taiwan, a total of 339 same-sexed twin neonates born in four major general teaching hospitals in Taipei City were studied. Based on placentation and 12 red blood cell antigens, 274 monozygotic (MZ) and 65 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs were identified and followed up to the age of one year. Both SBP and DBP were measured by Doppler blood pressure monitor. Within-pair mean squares of SBP and DBP were consistently smaller in MZ than DZ twins at ages one month and over. The findings remained unchanged after the adjustment for the effects of age, sex, gestational age, placentation and physical state during blood pressure measurement. Falconer's heritability indices for adjusted SBP and DBP at ages two months and over ranged from 0.29 to 0.55 and from 0.27 to 0.45, respectively. The study indicates an important genetic influence on blood pressure during infancy.

In order to examine the genetic variance and heritability of serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides, a total of 349 pairs of same-sexed twin neonates born in four major general teaching hospitals in Taipei City were studied. Based on the placental pattern and 12 red blood cell antigens, 271 monozygotic (MZ) and 78 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs were identified. There was a significant genetic variance for total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides both unadjusted and adjusted for sex, gestational age and placentation. The unadjusted heritability of total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides was 0.59, 0.30, 0.25 and 0.75, respectively; while the corresponding adjusted heritability was 0.74, 0.38, 0.31, and 0.49, respectively. Intrapair variance of serum lipids was not significantly different between monochorionic and dichorionic MZ twins.

We tested by radioimmunoassay the sera of 22,707 male Chinese government employees in Taiwan for HBsAg and found 15.2% to be positive. Almost all were confirmed as carriers by follow-up testing 1 year later. This paper presents HBsAg positivity rates of these men according to the province of China from which they originated, and compares the rates with published provincial mortality rates for primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Moderate variation in carrier rates between provinces was observed with high prevalence in men from provinces south of the Yangtze River. There was positive correlation between HBsAg prevalence and primary hepatocellular carcinoma incidence giving further support to the possibility of a causal relationship.

A total of 852 healthy Chinese children from 1 month to 14 years of age were investigated for lactose malabsorption using the breath hydrogen test. A lactose load of 2 g/kg was administered to 528 children and 1 g/kg to another 324 children. The incidence of lactose malabsorption was significantly different among various age groups and between the two different lactose dosages. While the incidence of malabsorption increased strikingly from the age of 3 to the age of 5 years, the age effect remained constant after the age of 6 years. The lactose load of 2 g/kg induced a higher incidence of malabsorption in study subjects than 1 g/kg did, and the dose effect increased for those aged below 5 years and decreased above 5 years. Small-intestinal lactase was also studied in 34 children aged from 2 months to 15 years. The lactase activity was highest in children 2 years old or younger, gradually decreasing with increasing age. In conclusion, lactase activity in Chinese children decreases gradually after 3 years of age, a finding that correlates well with the results of the breath hydrogen test.

In order to reassess the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors in the development of myopia in Chinese schoolchildren, 90 pairs of MZ and 36 pairs of like-sex DZ twins were enrolled for detailed ophthalmological examination about their ocular refractions. Corneal curvatures and axial lengths were also measured. With equivalent settings of the range for concordance, corneal curvatures showed higher concordance rate (84%) than ocular refractions (65%) and axial lengths (59%) in MZ twins. F-test on the intrapair variances between MZ and DZ twins revealed a significant hereditary role in determining the ocular refraction and its optical components. The degree of genetic determination was expressed by heritability indices, which were derived from intraclass correlation coefficients. The diversity of sample ages and refractions, while making the obtained data difficult to further explore the gene-environment interaction, led to the observation of more intrapair differences with age and myopic progression in MZ twins.