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Effective tiller number (ETN) directly affects panicle number and is closely related to wheat grain yield. Mining quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with wheat tiller number and analyzing the correlation between tiller number and other important agronomic traits can provide the theoretical basis for molecular breeding. In this study, we first proposed and established a novel genetic analysis framework of "multiple environmental assessments-depth analysis of individual traits-comprehensive evaluation of various traits-friendly marker development-verification in different backgrounds". Using this approach, low-tillering QTLs were identified and validated base on an F6 recombinant inbred line population (MC population) derived from the low-tillering plant msf and Chuannong 16 (CN16), phenotypic data of effective tillers from multiple environments, and a 16K chip-based constructed genetic linkage map. QTL mapping results showed that there were four QTLs controlling tillering on chromosomes 1A, 5A, and 6D, respectively. Qltn.sau-MC-1A was a stable and major low-tillering QTL explaining 13.39%--60.40% of the phenotypic variation rate, and its positive allele was from msf. Phenotypic analysis showed that ETN of the lines carrying the positive allele of Qltn.sau-MC-1A was significantly less than those with the negative alleles. Correlation analysis showed that ETN had a significantly positive correlation with plant height (PH), and a significantly negative correlation with thousand kernel weight (TKW), kernel number per spike (KNPS), kernel weight per spike (KWPS), and flag leaf width (FLW), but no significantly correlation with flag leaf length (FLL) and anthesis date (AD). Genetic analysis showed that positive allele of Qltn.sau-MC-1A had a significant effect on increasing KNPS, KWPS, and TKW, but delaying AD. Validation results in different backgrounds suggested that the ETN of lines carrying positive alleles from Qltn.sau-MC-1A could be significantly decreased. Collectively, we established a new genetic mapping approach and further used it to identify and validate a major QTL controlling low-tiller number, Qltn.sau-MC-1A, which laid a foundation for further fine mapping and understanding the mechanism of tiller formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: Human schistosomiasis is caused by schistosome, with annual loss of over 70 million disability adjusted life years in the world. China is endemic with Schistosoma japonicum and large-scale chemotherapy with praziquantel has become the mainstay of control in China since 1990s. However, the control effects of mass treatment in the field have been uneven. Moreover, mass treatment has come into a wide use in other countries with limited health resources. Therefore, a better understanding of the control effect of mass treatment is in an urgent need. Methods: We performed a systematic search of the literature to investigate the control efficiency of annual community-wide treatment (ACWT, treatment to an entire community without any preliminary screening) with a single dose of PZQ (40 mg kg−1 bodyweight) against schistosome in humans in China. Three Chinese literature databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang and Chinese Scientific Journal Databases, and the PubMed were searched. Pooled prevalence ratios (prevalence after to before treatment) were used to assess effect. Our protocol is available on PROSPERO (No. CRD42013003628). Results: 22 articles were included. Meta-analyses on data from 18 studies on one round of ACWT, 17 studies on two consecutive rounds and 6 studies on three consecutive rounds were performed. The results showed control effects of ACWT plus other measures were statistically significant, with prevalence ratios being 0.38 (0.31, 0.46) for one round, 0.28 (0.22, 0.35) for two rounds and 0.22 (0.10, 0.46) for three rounds. When ACWT was performed alone or with health education only, the values for one and two rounds were 0.389 (0.307, 0.492) and 0.348 (0.300, 0.403), respectively. Conclusions: The control effect of ACWT alone or with other measures is significant and increases with the number of rounds. Such program is recommended in high endemic areas and the criteria yet merit further assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid growth of an aging population creates challenges regarding age-related diseases, including AKI, for which both the prevalence and death rate increase with age. The molecular mechanism by which the aged kidney becomes more susceptible to acute injury has not been completely elucidated. In this study, we found that, compared with the kidneys of 3-month-old mice, the kidneys of 20-month-old mice expressed reduced levels of the renal protective molecule sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and its cofactor NAD + Supplementation with nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), an NAD + precursor, restored renal SIRT1 activity and NAD + content in 20-month-old mice and further increased both in 3-month-old mice. Moreover, supplementation with NMN significantly protected mice in both age groups from cisplatin-induced AKI. SIRT1 deficiency blunted the protective effect of NMN, and microarray data revealed that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling activation associated with renal injury in SIRT1 heterozygotes. In vitro , SIRT1 attenuated the stress response by modulating the JNK signaling pathway, probably via the deacetylation of a JNK phosphatase, DUSP16. Taken together, our findings reveal SIRT1 as a crucial mediator in the renal aging process. Furthermore, manipulation of SIRT1 activity by NMN seems to be a potential pharmaceutical intervention for AKI that could contribute to the precise treatment of aged patients with AKI., (Copyright © 2017 by the American Society of Nephrology.)

Objective: To clone and express the DBL domain of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein MSPDBL2(DBL2), and investigate its antigenicity., Methods: The DBL2 fragment was amplified by PCR and cloned into pET28a vector. The recombinant pET28a-DBL2 plasmid was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) and protein expression was induced by IPTG. The expressed product was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography, and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting., Results: DBL2 gene fragment of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein MSPDBL2 (950 bp) was obtained by PCR. The recombinant pET28a-DBL2 plasmid was identified by PCR, double enzyme digestion, and DNA sequencing. The recombinant DBL2 protein was expressed in an inclusion body form with Mr 340,000 after being induced with IPTG. Moreover, the purified recombinant DBL2 protein was recognized by sera from patients with falciparum malaria., Conclusion: The recombinant pET28a-DBL2 plasmid has been constructed. The purified rDBL2 protein shows adequate antigenicity.

Objective: To analyze the risk factors related to survival time of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to establish a prediction model on survival time., Methods: From 2004 - 2006, 184 patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in the Affiliated Hospital to the Nantong Medical College. Related risk factors were analyzed, using the Buckley-James model. Both actual and predicted survival time were compared by log-rank test., Results: Through Buckley-James model analysis, data showed that KPS, clinical stage, treatment and pre-treatment hemoglobin were main influencing factors on survival time. Regression equation appeared to be lnMONTH=0.0108 KPS+0.0238 HB+0.4614 IIIb+0.8027 IIIa+0.3869 (radiotherapy+chemotherapy)+0.507 (radiotherapy + operation) + 0.6082 (chemotherapy + operation) - 2.098. There was no statistical difference between the prediction and the actual models of survival time by log-rank test (P=0.575>0.05)., Conclusion: KPS, clinical stage, treatment and pre-treatment hemoglobin might be associated. Both the prognosis of patients with advanced NSCLC and the prediction model seemed to have practical significances.