A pot experiment was conducted to study effect of drought stress on leaf physiological characteristics and growth of one year old Stellaria dichotoma seedlings. The result showed that plant height and shoot dry weight significantly decreased with decrease in soil water content; however, root length and root dry weight increased at light drought stress and decreased at severe drought stress. The result also showed that with the decrease of soil water content, proline content in S. dichotoma leaves decreased then increase, while solube protein content decreased. Activities of SOD and POD in S. dichotoma leaves significantly decreased as soil water content decreased, while activity of CAT significantly decreased at severe drought stress. Membrane permeability in S. dichotoma leaves increased, while MDA content decreased then increased as soil water decreased. These results suggest that S. dichotoma had osmotic stress resistance ability and reactive oxygen scavenging capacity at light drought stress, which caused S. dichotoma growth was no inhibited at a certain extent drought stress.
Droughts ; Plant Leaves ; enzymology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; enzymology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Proline ; metabolism ; Seedlings ; enzymology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Stellaria ; enzymology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Water ; metabolism

Objective To investigate early Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation and the outcome of preemptive therapy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods From January 2007 to January 2009, totally 277 patients after allo-HSCT were studied (haploidentical 116,unrelated 75, matched sibling 86). Conditioning regimens were mainly busulfan (BU) + cyclophosphamide ( CY)/fludarabine(Flu) or total body irradiation (TBI) + CY/Flu. Antihuman thymocyte globulin (ATG)was added in haploidentical and unrelated transplants. Plasma EBV DNA was monitored once to twice weekly in the first 3 months after allo-HSCT with real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR). EBV viremia was diagnosed when EBV DNA was more than 5 × 102 copies/ml but without symptoms. Acyclovir (10 mg/kg, intravenous drip, 8 h) was used for preemptive therapy and immnuo-suppressants were decreased if possible. Results Totally 33 patients ( 11.9% ) developed EBV viremia with a median time at day 44 (day 19 to day 84). The incidences of EBV viremia in the transplants from matched sibling,haploidentical, unrelated donors were 0, 15.5%, 20. 0%, respectively. There was no significant difference between haploidentical and unrelated transplants ( P = 0. 09 ), but much less EBV viremia was seen in matched sibling transplant ( P = 0. 001 ). Twenty of 33 patients ( 60. 6% ) had complete response to preemptive therapy. The median time to reach EBV DNA negative in plasma was 11 (4-56) d. The median duration of preemptive therapy was 21 (14-60) d. Both univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that haploidentical and unrelated transplants, acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) were the risk factors for EBV viremia. Two-year overall survival in the patients with EBV viremia was significantly lower than that without EBV viremia (54. 2% vs 72. 1%, P = 0. 006 ). Conclusions Our large clinical study has demonstrated that preemptive therapy with acyclovir that is guided by EBV viremia is effective in majority of the patients with high-risk for EBV reactivation after allo-HSCT, which may further decrease the risk for developing life-threatening EBV disease or post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder. Haploidentical and unrelated transplants, acute GVHD are the risk factors for EBV viremia which has negative impact on survival.

OBJECTIVE: To accumulate experience for dated forensic matter analysis, for example, Mummy. METHODS: DNA are extracted by methods of phenol-chloroform and are purified by Wizard DNA clean-up system. The STRs locus are ampolification with Promega Powerplus 16 system. The mtDNA hypervariable region 1 (HV1) is amplificated by '3 pair primers'. The products were sequenced with 377 DNA sequencer. RESULTS: The STRs locus very distinctness and mtDNA sequence is correct. CONCLUSION It is a valuable method for special forensic matters.
Base Sequence ; DNA/genetics* ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics* ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mummies ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods*

OBJECTIVETo analyse the clinical features, diagnostic methods and risk factors of cytomegalovirus (CMV) enteritis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

METHODSAnalysis was made on 24 cases of CMV enteritis after allo-HSCT in Beijing Daopei Hospital from Aug. 2007 to Jul. 2009, including clinical data, endoscopic diagnosis, histopathological and virological results, and the association between CMV enteritis with viremia and graft-versus-host disease(GVHD).

RESULTS87.5% of the patients were over 18 years old. The median time to diagnosis of CMV enteritis was 63 days after HSCT. The mucosal lesions in enteroscopic examination had no significant differences between CMV enteritis and gastrointestinal GVHD complicated with the enteritis. The methods used in diagnosis included histopathology (32.1%) and virology (92.9%). The copies of CMVDNA in mucosal samples greater than 10(5)/10(6) PBNC was better diagnosis. A number of risk factors were compared between the survival and death groups: type of transplant, conditioning regimen, the time span of ganciclovir prophylaxis therapy, grade II-IV GVHD before enteritis, the time of diagnosis as GVHD, using MP > or = 1 mg/kg to treat GVHD, the time between GVHD and enteritis, CMV viremia before enteritis, the time of diagnosis as enteritis, CMVDNA quantitation, and there were no any statistic differences.

CONCLUSIONCytomegalovirus enteritis should be carefully diagnosed by histopathology and virology through endoscopic examination. It is better to undertake pan-colon endoscopy as well as terminal ileum examination for more accurate diagnosis. PCR can significantly improve the detection rate. CMVDNA detection in patients' stool may be helpful to diagnosis, especially for those patients who can not stand the endoscopy examination.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cytomegalovirus ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; etiology ; DNA, Viral ; isolation & purification ; Enteritis ; etiology ; virology ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the polymorphisms of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease genes using Taqman single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping kits.

METHODSA total of 2000 subjects were recruited from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (GBCS), and 15 SNPs were detected using Taqman SNP genotyping kits and an ABI 7900HT real time PCR system. The data were tested for the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and then compared with the data of the Chinese population from the International HapMap Project (HapMap_HCN).

RESULTS(1) All genotype data of the 15 SNPs were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg rules. (2) The significant differences were observed among two SNPs, rs4220 and rs5368 and the HapMap_HCN (rs4220 28.2% vs 17.8%; chi(2) = 4.891, P = 0.028; rs5368 22.1% vs 32.2%, chi(2) = 5.137, P = 0.024). Comparing other gene bank data, such as AFD-CHN-PANEL, the Allele Frequency Database (ALFRED) and JBIC-allele, it would be most likely that our observations represent differences between the Northern and Southern populations in China.

CONCLUSIONSuch Biobank study provided a useful platform for the study of the role of genetic and environmental determinants on cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Biological Specimen Banks ; statistics & numerical data ; Brain Diseases ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; epidemiology ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo explore the mutations of 15 short tandem repeat (STR) loci in PlowerPlex16 System which are world-widely used in parentage testing.

METHODSMutations of 15 STR loci in PlowerPlex16 System were investigated in 1921 parentage testing cases from Chinese population.

RESULTSIn 1921 parentage cases, seventy cases (3.644%) were found to have mutations. Among these were one case with double mutations (D21S11 and PentaD) and another case with two different mutations (D7S820 and D16S539) in two children. The total number of mutated STR loci observed was 72 over 3764 meiosis with a mutation rate of 0.128% +/- 0.1104% x 10(-3). The highest mutation rate was 0.292% at vWA and D21S11. No mutation was observed at TH01 or at TPOX. The mutated alleles coming from father were five times more than those from mother. The majority (98.611%) of mutated alleles were the results of one-step mutation. The ratio of one-step gain versus loss was 1.826:1. There was only one multiple-step mutation with a double-repeat gain observed at PentaD locus. In the PlowerPlex16 System, nine loci, namely D8S1179, Penta D, D13S317, D16S539, D7S820, D5S818, D3S1358, TH01 and TPOX, have lower mutation rates and are more suitable for parentage testing.

CONCLUSIONMutation of STR is relatively common and often makes parentage testing more complicated. Selecting stable STR locus with low mutation rate is more important in parentage testing.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Genetics, Population ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the applicability of the polymorphic marker closely linked with beta-globin gene for the preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in couples at risk of having child with beta-thalassemia.

METHODSSingle cell multiplex nested PCR which coamplifies the beta-globin gene and the closely linked polymorphic marker, HumTHO1 gene, was applied in six clinical PGD cycles for four couples with beta-thalassemia.

RESULTSIn six clinical PGD cycles, a total of 44 embryos were biopsied and 44 blastomeres were obtained. Forty-one blastomeres were amplified and thirty-five embryos were given definite diagnoses. Fourteen embryos were transferred back to the uterus of the patients and one pregnancy went on well and ended with one live healthy birth, which confirmed the results of PGD. The average amplification efficiency of single blastomere was 89.7% and the average allele drop-out(ADO) rate was 14.4%. The coamplification of HumTHO1 could help to detect the existence of ADO and contamination.

CONCLUSIONThis is the first report on unaffected pregnancy resulting from PGD using multiplex nested PCR in China. The simultaneous amplification of polymorphic marker closely linked to beta-globin gene(HumTHO1) could help to resist the risk of misdiagnosis in PGD caused by ADO and contamination.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; methods ; beta-Globins ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of thoracoscopic cardiac surgical procedures under extracorporeal circulation.

METHODSFrom May 2000 to May 2006, 674 patients received thoracoscopic cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation. These procedures included atrial septal defect occlusion for 238 patients, ventricular septal defect occlusion for 380 patients and mitral valve replacement for 56 patients. Thirty degree thoracoscopes and femoral extracorporeal circulation were used. The aorta was cross-clamped and the myocardium was protected by coronary perfusion with cold crystal or blood cardioplegia.

RESULTSThe operation succeed in 645 patients (96%, 645/674). Enlarging the incision was performed in 28 patients. Operation time was from 1.8 h to 5.6 h with the mean of (2.8 +/- 1.2) h. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was from 56 min to 198 min with the mean of (78 +/- 2.3) min. Aortic cross-clamp time was from 8 min to 96 min with the mean of (31 +/- 19) min. The volume of chest drainage was (140 +/- 46) ml. None but one postoperative death occurred, the mortality was 0.15%. Postoperative complications occurred in 48 cases (7%), including bleeding in 8 patients, leakage in 5 patients (reoperation in 2 patients) and hemo-pneumothorax in 33 patients. One patient died postoperatively from cerebral hemorrhage (0.15%, 1/647).

CONCLUSIONThoracoscopic cardiac surgical procedures for atrial septal defect occlusion, ventricular septal defect occlusion and mitral valve replacement is feasible and safe.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Extracorporeal Circulation ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; surgery ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; surgery ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Mitral Valve ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracoscopy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic polymorphisms of 12 X chromosome short tandem repeat (X-STR) loci of Investigator Argus X-12 amplification kit in Guangdong Han population.

METHODSDNA samples from 200 unrelated individuals (100 males and 100 females) and 103 families (59 father-mother-daughter trios and 44 mother-son duos) were extracted and amplified with fluorescence labeled multiplex PCR system. PCR products were separated and genotyped with capillary array electrophoresis.

RESULTSOne hundred and thirty-seven alleles,including 9 off ladder alleles (OL allele) were observed at the 12 X-STR loci in the population. Six mutations were observed in 162 meioses. The combined power of discrimination (DP) was 0.999 999 997 in males and 0.999 999 999 in females, and the combined mean exclusion chance (MEC) was 0.999 999 988 in the trio cases and 0.999 998 013 in the duo cases.

CONCLUSIONInvestigator-Argus X-12 amplification system is highly polymorphic in Guangdong Han population and it is powerful for personal identification and paternity testing.

Alleles ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; Female ; Gene Amplification ; Gene Frequency ; Genetics, Population ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Mutation ; Paternity ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Records as Topic

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution and genetic pattern of heteroplasmy of mtDNA control region among Chinese Han population. METHODS: The human mtDNA control region was amplified into 6 amplicons overlapped partially each other. Then these amplicons were analyzed by DHPLC which we developed to detect low heteroplasmic signals. RESULTS: There were 51 heteroplasmic cases (34%) found from different tissues of 150 unrelated individuals of the Chinese Han population. mtDNA heteroplasmy shows non-uniform distribution in various tissues. The highest occurrence of heteroplasmy was in brain tissues (50/150) and myocardium (48/150), the lowest was in bone tissues (22/150). 36 sites of heteroplasmy were identified in our samples. Three sites of mtDNA heteroplasmy rarely co-existed in one individual. No sex differences were detected in the frequency of mtDNA heteroplasmy. No change in the mtDNA heteroplasmy profile was detected of blood samples from the same individuals within 2 years. Individuals older than 41 years showed a heteroplasmy frequency significantly higher than their younger counterparts. Members from the same maternal pedigree in a family can share the same sites of mtDNA heteroplasmy but may have different heteroplasmy contents at those sites. CONCLUSION DHPLC is a highly sensitive technique in detecting heteroplasmy. mtDNA heteroplasmy widely exists in the Chinese Han population. The results shown here could potentially have a guidable value in forensic individual identification and parentage testing.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian People/genetics* ; Base Sequence ; Blood Stains ; Child ; China/ethnology* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; DNA Mutational Analysis/methods* ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Genetic Heterogeneity ; Hair/chemistry* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Genetic/genetics* ; Young Adult