Paeoniae Radix Alba, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine derived from the dried roots of Paeonia lactiflora, is mainly produced in Anhui, Zhejiang, Sichuan, Shandong, and Hunan provinces. Since this plant has been cultivated for a long period, various cultivars have been formed in different producing areas. Based on systematic herbal textual research and a review of local chronicles, this study investigated the germplasm resources of medicinal P. lactiflora in the five main producing areas of Paeoniae Radix Alba. Furthermore, it outlined the cultivation history and current status of the germplasm resources of medicinal P. lactiflora in these regions. The results indicated that among the 12 medicinal cultivars of P. lactiflora, 8 cultivars were monopetalous red flowers, which are consistent with the medicinal germplasm highly regarded throughout history in ancient medical books. Additionally, there are cultivars with monopetalous white flowers, polypetalous white flowers, and polypetalous pink flowers in the main producing areas, indicating the rich germplasm resources of medicinal P. lactiflora in China. This paper provides a survey basis for the germplasm conservation and rational resource utilization of high-quality medicinal P. lactiflora.
Paeonia/genetics* ; China ; Plants, Medicinal/genetics* ; History, 20th Century ; History, Ancient ; History, 21st Century ; History, 19th Century ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Flowers/growth & development* ; History, 17th Century ; History, 18th Century

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children. The global prevalence of pediatric NAFLD from general populations is 7.6%. In obese children, the prevalence is higher in Asia. NAFLD has a strong heritable component based on ethnic difference in the prevalence and clustering within families. Genetic polymorphisms of patatin-like phospholipase domain–containing protein 3 (PNPLA3), transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2, and glucokinase regulatory protein (GCKR) are associated with the risk of NAFLD in children. Variants of PNPLA3 and GCKR are more common in Asians. Alterations of the gut microbiome might contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD. High fructose intake increases the risk of NAFLD. Liver fibrosis is a poor prognostic factor for disease progression to cirrhosis. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetic resonance proton density fat fraction are more accurate for steatosis quantification than ultrasound. Noninvasive imaging methods to assess liver fibrosis, such as transient elastography, shear-wave elastography, and magnetic resonance elastography are useful in predicting advanced fibrosis, but they need further validation. Longitudinal follow-up studies into adulthood are needed to better understand the natural history of pediatric NAFLD.
Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Disease Progression ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques ; Epidemiology ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fructose ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Genetics ; Glucokinase ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Microbiota ; Natural History ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Phospholipases ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Prevalence ; Protons ; Ultrasonography

China ; Classification ; Fungi ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; History, 20th Century ; Mycology ; history

OBJECTIVETo apply single nucleotide polymorphism microarray (SNP array) for the detection of genome-wide copy number variations(CNVs) in fetuses with malformations and women with an adverse reproductive history, and to explore the correlation of rare CNVs with the clinical manifestations.

METHODSAmniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood samples were collected from 314 women with singleton pregnancy. SNP array was performed on samples where chromosomal abnormalities were excluded after G-banding analysis.

RESULTSPathological CNVs were detected in 8.91% (28/314) of all samples, which included 11 duplications, 9 deletions, 4 loss of heterozygosity (LOH), and 4 conjoined deletions and duplications. The sizes of duplications and deletions were between 0.47 Mb and 16.7 Mb, and between 0.16 Mb and 13.3 Mb, respectively. Fifteen CNVs were mapped to the regions of microdeletion or microduplication syndromes or regions associated with clinical manifestations, while the remainder 13 were considered benign or variant of uncertain significance.

CONCLUSIONA proportion of fetuses with malformations and women with an adverse reproductive history may be attributed to CNVs, half of which are mapped with to the regions of well known syndromes. SNP array may facilitate discovery of new syndromes and provide a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Disorders ; diagnosis ; embryology ; genetics ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Female ; Fetal Diseases ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Reproductive History ; Young Adult

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease whose prevalence has reached global epidemic proportions. Although the disease is relatively benign in the early stages, when severe clinical forms, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma, occur, they result in worsening the long-term prognosis. A growing body of evidence indicates that NAFLD develops from a complex process in which many factors, including genetic susceptibility and environmental insults, are involved. In this review, we focused on the genetic component of NAFLD, with special emphasis on the role of genetics in the disease pathogenesis and natural history. Insights into the topic of the genetic susceptibility in lean individuals with NAFLD and the potential use of genetic tests in identifying individuals at risk are also discussed.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Fibrosis ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease* ; Genetics ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; Natural History ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* ; Prevalence ; Prognosis

Animals ; Genetics, Population ; history ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Human Genetics ; history ; Humans

Animals ; China ; Genetics ; history ; Goldfish ; genetics ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century

The development history and fundamental experience of transgenic crops (Genetically modified crops) breeding in China for near 30 years were reviewed. It was illustrated that a scientific research, development and industrialization system of transgenic crops including gene discovery, transformation, variety breeding, commercialization, application and biosafety assessment has been initially established which was few in number in the world. The research innovative capacity of transgenic cotton, rice and corn has been lifted. The research features as well as relative advantages have been initially formed. The problems and challenges of transgenic crop development were discussed. In addition, three suggestions of promoting commercialization, speeding up implementation of the Major National Project of GM Crops, and enhancing science communication were made.
China ; Crops, Agricultural ; genetics ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Oryza ; Plant Breeding ; history ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; Zea mays

Analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) extracted from Ascaris is very important for understanding the phylogenetic lineage of the parasite species. When aDNAs obtained from a Joseon tomb (SN2-19-1) coprolite in which Ascaris eggs were identified were amplified with primers for cytochrome b (cyt b) and 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene, the outcome exhibited Ascaris specific amplicon bands. By cloning, sequencing, and analysis of the amplified DNA, we obtained information valuable for comprehending genetic lineage of Ascaris prevalent among pre-modern Joseon peoples.
Adult ; Animals ; Ascariasis/diagnosis/history/*parasitology ; Ascaris/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Base Sequence ; Cytochromes b/genetics ; DNA Primers/genetics ; DNA, Helminth/*genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial/*genetics/history ; Female ; Fossils/history/parasitology ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mummies/history/*parasitology ; Ovum/chemistry/classification ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the completeness of pedigree and of number of pedigree analysis to know the acceptable familial history in Korean women with ovarian cancer. METHODS: Interview was conducted in 50 ovarian cancer patients for obtaining familial history three times over the 6 weeks. The completeness of pedigree is estimated in terms of familial history of disease (cancer), health status (health living, disease and death), and onset age of disease and death. RESULTS: The completion of pedigree was 79.3, 85.1, and 85.6% at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd time of interview and the time for pedigree analysis was 34.3, 10.8, and 3.1 minutes, respectively. The factors limiting pedigree analysis were as follows: out of contact with their relatives (38%), no living ancestors who know the family history (34%), dispersed family member because of the Korean War (16%), unknown cause of death (12%), reluctance to ask medical history of relatives (10%), and concealing their ovarian cancer (10%). The percentage of cancers revealed in 1st (2%) and 2nd degree (8%) relatives were increasing through surveys, especially colorectal cancer related with Lynch syndrome (4%). CONCLUSION: Analysis of pedigree at least two times is acceptable in Korean woman with ovarian cancer from the first study. The completion of pedigree is increasing, while time to take family history is decreasing during three time survey.
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Age of Onset ; Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis/genetics ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Medical History Taking/*methods ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ovarian Neoplasms/*genetics/pathology ; Pedigree ; Young Adult