ABSTRACT Objectives: The effects of weightlessness on the liver were studied using a tail suspension (TS) male mouse model. Methods: The effects of 0-, 2- and 4-week TS (CON, TS2 and TS4 groups) on glycogen and lipid content, as well as on the molecular processes of the synthesis and degradation pathways, were examined. Results: (1) The number of glycogenosomes under ultrastructure and the glycogen content were considerably larger in the TS4 group than in the other two groups. (2) In the TS4 group, glycogen synthase activity remained constant while glycogen phosphorylase activity dropped, indicating that glycogen breakdown was reduced. (3) The livers of the TS2 group had the highest lipid and triglyceride content, indicating lipid buildup in the liver at this time. (4) In the TS2 group, the activities of the fatty acid synthesis-related factors acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase increased, while hepatic lipase decreased, indicating that lipid synthesis increased, while decomposition decreased. (5) In the TS2 group, the protein expression of glucose transporters 1 and 2 increased. Conclusions: From TS2 weeks to TS4 weeks, the main energy consumption mode in the livers of mice transitioned from glucose metabolism to lipid metabolism as glucose use decreased. Level of evidence II; Comparative prospective study.

RESUMEN Objetivos: Se estudiaron los efectos de la antigravedad en el hígado utilizando un modelo de ratón macho en prueba de suspensión de la cola (TS, tail suspension). Métodos: Se examinaron los efectos de la TS a las 0, 2 y 4 semanas (grupos CON, TS2 y TS4) sobre el contenido de glucógeno y lípidos, así como sobre los procesos moleculares de las vías de síntesis y degradación. Resultados: (1) El número de glucogenosomas ultraestructurales y el contenido de glucógeno fueron expresivamente más altos en el grupo TS4 que en los otros dos grupos. (2) En el grupo TS4, la actividad de la glucógeno sintasa se mantuvo constante, mientras que la actividad de la glucógeno fosforilasa disminuyó, lo que indica que la degradación del glucógeno se redujo. (3) Los hígados del grupo TS2 presentaron el mayor contenido de lípidos y triglicéridos, lo que indica la acumulación de lípidos en el hígado en ese momento. (4) En el grupo TS2, la actividad de los factores relacionados con la síntesis de ácidos grasos acetil-CoA carboxilasa y ácido graso sintasa aumentó, mientras que la lipasa hepática disminuyó, indicando que la síntesis de lípidos aumentó mientras que la descomposición disminuyó. (5) En el grupo TS2, la expresión proteica de los transportadores de glucosa 1 y 2 aumentó. Conclusiones: Desde la semana TS2 hasta la semana TS4, el principal modo de consumo de energía en el hígado de los ratones pasó del metabolismo de la glucosa al metabolismo de los lípidos a medida que disminuía el uso de la glucosa. Nivel de Evidencia II, Estudio retrospectivo comparativo.

RESUMO Objetivos: Os efeitos da antigravidade no fígado foram estudados usando um modelo de camundongo macho com a suspensão pela cauda (TS, tail suspension). Métodos: Foram examinados os efeitos da TS em 0, 2 e 4 semanas (grupos CON, TS2 e TS4) sobre o conteúdo de glicogênio e lipídios, bem como nos processos moleculares das vias de síntese e degradação. Resultados: (1) O número de glicogenossomos ultraestruturais e o teor de glicogênio foram expressivamente maiores no grupo TS4 do que nos outros dois grupos. (2) No grupo TS4, a atividade de glicogênio sintase permaneceu constante, enquanto a atividade de glicogênio fosforilase caiu, indicando que a degradação do glicogênio foi reduzida. (3) Os fígados do grupo TS2 tiveram o maior teor lipídico e de triglicérides, indicando acúmulo de lipídios no fígado no momento. (4) No grupo TS2, a atividade dos fatores relacionados com a síntese de ácidos graxos acetil-CoA carboxilase e ácido graxo sintase aumentaram, enquanto a lipase hepática diminuiu, indicando que a síntese de lipídios aumentou, enquanto a decomposição diminuiu. (5) No grupo TS2, a expressão proteica dos transportadores de glicose 1 e 2 aumentou. Conclusões: De TS2 semanas para TS4 semanas, o principal modo de consumo de energia no fígado de camundongos passou do metabolismo da glicose para o metabolismo lipídico, à medida que o uso de glicose diminuiu. Nível de evidência II, Estudo retrospectivo comparativo.

Abstract Immature Litsea mollis fruits (ILMFs) are widely used as cold appetizers and seasonings in China. The free and bound volatile components of ILMFs from five distinct regions of China were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with headspace solid phase microextraction (SPME) in the present work. The results reveal sixty six free-form volatiles and fifty two bound-form volatiles in ILMFs and terpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated terpenes are the dominate components. In addition, sixty-seven volatile compounds are found in Litsea mollis fruit for the first time. The free α-pinene, eucalyptol, linalool, α,β-citral, geraniol and citronellal, and bound β-myrcene, α-citral, geraniol, citronellal and eugenol are the major odor contributors of ILMFs. Multivariate statistical analysis indicates that the free and bound volatiles profiles of ILMFs of Fujian and Guangxi in southern China are similar and those of Yunnan and Sichuan in southwestern China are similar. The odor profiles of all of the ILMFs are floral, fruity and herbaceous.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the association between plasma Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) levels and visceral fat area (VFA) among Chinese young men. Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study involved 156 Chinese male subjects, aged 18–45 years, who visited the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao (Hebei, China) in 2014 for annual health check-up. Participants were categorized into: low (VFA < 75.57 cm2), medium (75.57 cm2 ≤ VFA<100.37 cm2), and high (VFA ≥ 100.37 cm2) (n = 52/group). We estimated VFA and plasma H2S levels by using bioelectrical impedance analysis and a fluorescence probe-based approach, respectively. The associations of H2S with VFA and obesity anthropometric measures were assessed. Results: In the high VFA group, the body mass index (BMI, 30.4 ± 2.45 kg/m2), total body fat (TBF, 27.9 ± 3.23 kg), plasma H2S (3.5 μmol/L), free fatty acid (FFA, 0.6 ± 0.24 mmol/L), triglyceride (TG, 2.0 mmol/L), and total cholesterol (TC, 5.5 ± 1.02 mmol/L) levels were significantly higher than that of those of the low and medium VFA groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Plasma H2S levels were found to be inversely correlated with VFA, TBF, waist circumference, BMI, FFA, LnFINS, LnHOMA-IR, LnTG, TC, and LDL-C (P < 0.05). Multiple backward stepwise regression analysis revealed an inverse correlation of plasma H2S levels with FFA (β = −0.214, P = 0.005) and VFA (β = −0.429, P < 0.001), independent of adiposity measures and other confounding factors. Conclusion: VFA was independently and inversely associated with plasma H2S levels among Chinese young men. Therefore, determining plasma H2S levels could aid in the assessment of abnormal VAT distribution.

In order to increase the specific surface area of Pt-Rh-Pd / Al2O3 automotive three-way catalyst and improve its low-temperature reduction performance, Ce, Zr, and La were added to the Pt-Rh-Pd / Al2O3 catalyst to prepare the fibrous Pt-Rh-Pd / CeO2-ZrO2-La2O3-Al2O3 catalyst via an electrospinning technique. The fibrous catalysts were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDS, H2-TPR and BET analysis. The catalytic effect of the catalyst on automobile exhaust was also studied. Results revealed that the surface of catalysts is mainly mesoporous. Ce, Zr and La can remarkably increase the specific surface area of the Pt-Rh-Pd / Al2O3 catalyst. The specific surface area of the catalyst prepared with Pt Rh Pd molar ratio of 0.75:0.01:1 is 301.5816 m2 g-1, and the average diameter of which is 790 nm. In addition, the reaction temperature of the catalyst is approximately 220 °C, which shows good low-temperature reduction performance. Moreover, the Pt-Rh-Pd / CeO2-ZrO2-La2O3-Al2O3 catalyst has a catalytic conversion efficiency for NOX of 90.0% in automobile exhaust, a catalytic conversion efficiency for CO of 88.8%, and a catalytic conversion efficiency for SO2 of 75%.

Abstract This study optimized using a headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) method for extracting volatile aroma compounds, terpenoids in particular, from Litsea mollis Hemsl. immature fruit (LMIF). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to separate and identify volatile terpenoids in LMIF. The types of SPME fiber coating, salt addition, and desorption time were optimized by single factor-experiments to determine the range of extraction temperature. Built on insights from the single factor-experiments, the response surface methodology was further used to optimize the extraction temperature, extraction time, and equilibrium time of HS-SPME. The results showed that the optimal HS-SPME conditions for extracting volatile terpenoids from LMIF were: 50/30 μm of DVB/CAR/PDMS SPME fiber, 2.0 g of added sodium chloride, desorption at a temperature of 250 °C for 3 min, extraction and equilibrium temperature of 46 °C, extraction time of 36 min, and equilibrium time of 20 min. Under the above conditions, the predicted value of extraction was 66.92, while the experimental value was 65.78. The prediction value matched well with the experimental value with good repeatability. The designed model was proven to be valid, which can be applied for future extraction of aroma compounds from IMIF.

RESUMEN Este estudio analiza el ciclo de erupción de las rocas volcánicas basado en tecnología de realidad virtual con el fin de revelar la distribución espacial de las rocas volcánicas y la relación genética entre diferentes conjuntos litológicos y, además, guiar efectivamente la exploración volcánica. Se definió la depresión de falla Xujiaweizi y la depresión de Yingshan en la cuenca Songliao como el área de investigación. El método de visión monocular de la tecnología de realidad virtual se utilizó para recopilar datos del área de estudio, y se construyó la escena dinámica tridimensional del área de estudio. Con base a esto, además de los pasos de investigación y la base de división del ciclo de erupción volcánica, se estudia el ciclo de erupción volcánica del área. De acuerdo con las características de la actividad volcánica, la secuencia de facies volcánicas y la combinación de ritmo de roca en la depresión de la falla Xujiaweizi, las tres secciones de la formación Yingcheng se dividen en tres períodos de erupción de acuerdo con la relación de contacto entre los estratos sedimentarios y las rocas volcánicas en el período eruptivo intermitente. Y1C1, Y1C2, Y1C3, Y3C1, Y3C2 y Y3C3 están, respectivamente, de abajo hacia arriba. Las rocas volcánicas de Yingshan, en la depresión de Yingshan, se dividen en tres ciclos y seis períodos. Cada etapa tiene diferencias significativas y la intensidad de la erupción es diferente. El rendimiento general se mejora gradualmente y el ciclo interno se caracteriza por primero fuerte y luego débil.

ABSTRACT The eruption cycle of volcanic rocks based on virtual reality technology is studied to reveal the spatial distribution of volcanic rocks and the genetic relationship between different lithologic assemblages, and effectively guide volcanic exploration. Taking Xujiaweizi fault depression and Yingshan depression in Songliao Basin as the research area, the monocular vision method of virtual reality technology is used to collect data from the study area. Then, the three-dimensional dynamic scene of the study area was constructed. Based on this, combined with the research steps and division basis of the volcanic eruption cycle, the eruption cycle of the volcanic region in the study area is studied. According to the characteristics of volcanic activity, volcanic facies sequence, and rock rhythm combination in Xujiaweizi fault depression, the first and three sections of Yingcheng formation are divided into three eruption periods according to the contact relationship between sedimentary strata and volcanic rocks in the eruptive intermittent period. Y1C1, Y1C2, Y1C3, Y3C1, Y3C2, and Y3C3 are respectively from bottom to top. Yingshan volcanic rocks in Yingshan depression are divided into three cycles and six periods. Each stage has significant stages and differences, and the eruption intensity is different. The overall performance is gradually enhanced, and the internal cycle is characterized by the first strong and then weak.

SUMMARY: This study aimed to examine the differences in bone microarchitecture between different regions of the atlas in 28 dry atlas specimens using micro-CT, in order to explain the mechanism of the predilection sites of atlas fractures from the morphological point of view. A total of 28 dry specimens of intact adult atlas were randomly selected, scanned by micro-CT, and divided into a region from the anterior arch midpoint (AAM) to the lateral masses (LM), a LM region, and a region from the LM to the posterior arch midpoint (PAM). Trabecular thickness, separation, number, connectivity, and structure model index were measured for each of the three regions using the built-in software of the CT scanner. Trabecular thickness was all measured to be 0.11 ± 0.00 mm for AAM to LM, LM, and LM to PAM. Trabecular separation: AAM to LM > LM to PAM > LM. Trabecular number: LM > LM to PAM > AAM to LM. Connectivity: LM > LM to PAM > AAM to LM. Structure model index: LM > LM to PAM > AAM to LM. A lower trabecular number and connectivity and higher trabecular separation were seen in the anterior and posterior arches of the atlas, in which higher fracture rates were reported. By contrast, a higher trabecular number and connectivity and lower trabecular separation were seen in the lateral masses, in which lower fracture rates were reported.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo examinar las diferencias en la microarquitectura ósea entre diferentes regiones del atlas en 28 muestras de atlas secas utilizando micro-CT, con el fin de informar el área de mayor frecuencia en las fracturas de atlas, desde el punto de vista morfológico. Se seleccionaron al azar un total de 28 muestras secas de atlas adultos intactas las que se escanearon por micro-CT y se dividieron en una región desde el punto medio del arco anterior (MAA) hasta las masas laterales (ML), una región ML y una región desde el ML hasta el punto medio del arco posterior (MAP). Se midió el grosor trabecular, la separación, el número, la conectividad y el índice del modelo de estructura para cada una de las tres regiones utilizando el software incorporado del escáner CT. El grosor trabecular se midió en 0,11 ± 0,00 mm para MAA a ML, ML y ML a MAP. Separación trabecular: MAA a ML> ML a MAP> ML. Número trabecular: ML> ML a MAP> MAA a ML. Conectividad: ML> ML a MAP> MAA a ML. Índice del modelo de estructura: ML> ML a MAP> MAA a ML. Se observó un menor número de estructuras trabeculares y conectividad y una mayor separación trabecular en los arcos anterior y posterior del atlas, en los que se informaron tasas de fracturas más altas. Por el contrario, se observó un mayor número de estructuras trabeculares y conectividad, y una menor separación trabecular en las masas laterales, en las que se observó un número menor de fracturas.

SUMMARY: This study aimed to investigate the sagittal spinal-pelvic morphological changes, as well as the relationship between pelvic anatomical changes and the spinal-pelvic plane in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), in order to provide guidelines for orthopedic surgery in AIS. X-ray data were collected for retrospective analysis from 30 patients diagnosed as AIS in the Departments of Radiology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University and the Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Medical Hospital from April 2014 to November 2018, along with 30 normal adolescents as control. Pelvic parameters, including pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), and sacral slope (SS), a spinal parameter, lumbar lordosis (LL), and anatomical parameters, including sacral width (SW) and femoral head- sacrum distance (FH-S), were measured. The spinal-pelvic parameters were compared between AIS patients and normal controls and also between male and female AIS patients. Pearson correlation was performed to analyze correlation between spinal-pelvic parameters and between spinal-pelvic parameters and anatomical parameters in both AIS patients and normal controls. PT was significantly lower in AIS patients than in normal controls (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was found in the other spinal-pelvic parameters, i. e. , LL, PI, and SS. There was a significant difference in PT between sexes in AIS patients. SS was significantly correlated with LL in EIA patients (P < 0.05, r > 0.5). SS was significantly correlated with LL and PI, and PT with LL, PI, and SS in normal controls (all P < 0.05), and there was no significant correlation between the other sagittal spinal-pelvic parameters (P > 0.05). FH-S was significantly correlated with LL, PI, SS, and PT in AIS patients (all P < 0.05). AIS affects some of the sagittal spinalpelvic parameters and anatomical parameters. In AIS, there is a significant correlation between the spinal-pelvic parameters, and the anatomical parameter is significantly correlated with multiple spinal-pelvic parameters.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los cambios morfológicos sagitales de la columna vertebral-pélvica, así como la relación entre los cambios anatómicos pélvicos y el plano espinal-pélvico en pacientes con escoliosis idiopática adolescente (EIA), con el fin de proporcionar pautas para la cirugía ortopédica en AIS. Se obtuvieron los datos de rayos X para el análisis retrospectivo de 30 pacientes diagnosticados como EIA en los Departamentos de Radiología del hospital Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University y el hospital Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Medical Hospital, desde abril de 2014 hasta noviembre del 2018, junto con 30 adolescentes normales como control. Se midieron los parámetros pélvicos, que incluyeron incidencia pélvica (IP), inclinación pélvica (P) y pendiente sacra (PS), un parámetro espinal, lordosis lumbar (LL) y parámetros anatómicos, que incluyeron el ancho sacro (AS) y la distancia del sacro cabeza femoral (FH-S). Los parámetros espinalpélvicos se compararon entre los pacientes con EIA y los controles normales, como también entre pacientes con EIA masculinos y femeninos. La correlación de Pearson se realizó para analizar la correlación entre los parámetros espinal-pélvicos y entre los parámetros espinal-pélvicos y los parámetros anatómicos tanto en pacientes con EIA como en controles normales. PT fue significativamente menor en pacientes con EIA que en los controles normales (P <0,05), mientras que no se encontraron diferencias significativas en los otros parámetros espinal-pélvicos, i. mi. , LL, PI y SS. Hubo una diferencia significativa en PT en pacientes de ambos sexos con EIA. SS se correlacionó significativamente con LL en pacientes con EIA (P <0,05, r> 0,5). SS se correlacionó significativamente con LL y PI, y PT con LL, PI y SS en controles normales (todos P <0,05), y no hubo correlación significativa entre los otros parámetros sagitales de la columna vertebral-pélvica (P> 0,05) FH-S se correlacionó significativamente con LL, PI, SS y PT en pacientes con EIA (todos P <0,05). EIA afecta algunos de los parámetros sagitales de la columna vertebral-pélvica y los parámetros anatómicos. En EIA, existe una correlación significativa entre los parámetros espinal-pélvicos, y el parámetro anatómico se correlaciona significativamente con múltiples parámetros espinales-pélvicos.

SUMMARY: This study aimed to investigate the micro-anatomical morphology of ossicular chain in term fetus using micro-CT, in order to analyze the parameters of internal ossicular structure that may affect sound conduction.Four ossicular chains from two term fetuses were scanned by micro-CT. The related structural parameters of the trabeculae within the incus and malleus were calculated and compared. The fine anatomical structure of the auditory ossicles was analyzed.The microstructure of each auditory ossicles in term fetuses was clearly revealed by micro-CT. A marrow cavity was observed in the incus and malleus. In statistical analysis of the structural parameters of trabeculae in the incus and malleus, significant differences were found in BS/BV and Tb.Th (P < 0.05). Micro-CT enables the visualization of internal ossicular structure. The auditory ossicles in term fetus has good bone quality. The obtained bone structure data will help to clarify the physiological functions of normal fetal auditory ossicles.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la morfología microanatómica de la cadena osicular en el feto a término con micro-CT, con el fin de analizar los parámetros de la estructura osicular interna que pueden afectar la conducción del sonido. Cuatro cadenas osiculares de dos fetos a término fueron examinadas por micro-CT. Se calcularon y compararon los parámetros estructurales relacionados de las trabéculas dentro de los incus y malleus. Se analizó la estructura anatómica fina de los osículos. Se observó claramente la microestructura de cada osículo en los fetos y la cavidad medular en el incus y el malleus. En el análisis estadístico de los parámetros estructurales de las trabéculas en el incus y el malleus, se encontraron diferencias significativas en BS / BV y Tb.Th (P <0,05). Micro-CT permite la visualización de la estructura osicular interna. Los osículos en el feto a término tienen buena calidad ósea. Los datos obtenidos de la estructura ósea ayudarán para aclarar las funciones fisiológicas de los osículos auditivos fetales normales.

OBJECTIVE: Explore the feasibility and safety of transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects using a wire-drifting technique (WT) in children. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 121 pediatric patients diagnosed with perimembranous ventricular septal defects who underwent interventional treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from Dec 2011 to Dec 2014. Based on the method used for arteriovenous loop establishment during the procedure, the patients were divided into a conventional technique (CT) group and a WT group. RESULTS: In total, 51 of the 53 patients (96.2%) in the CT group and 66 of the 68 patients (97.1%) in the WT group achieved procedural success, with no significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). The CT group showed a nonsignificantly higher one-time success rate of arteriovenous loop establishment (94.3% vs. 91.2%, p>0.05). The procedure time was 46.0 (14.0) min and 46.5 (10.0) min in the CT and WT groups, respectively. The CT procedure was discontinued in the 2 cases (3.8%) of intraprocedural atrioventricular block in the CT group. In the one case (1.9%) of postprocedural atrioventricular block in the CT group, a permanent pacemaker was implanted to resolve third-degree atrioventricular block three months after the procedure. In the WT group, no cases of intraprocedural atrioventricular block occurred, and one case (1.5%) of postprocedural atrioventricular block occurred. In this case, intravenous dexamethasone injection for three days returned the sinus rhythm to normal. Aggravated mild to moderate tricuspid regurgitation was observed in 2 patients (3.8%) in the CT group during the 2-year follow-up period; aggravated tricuspid regurgitation was not observed in the WT group. During the 2-year follow-up period, there was no evidence of residual shunting in either group. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects with the WT is safe and effective in children.

The objective of this study was to estimate and compare the growth curve parameters for live weight of standard black, brown, mahogany, Hedlund white and sapphire minks. The data were collected from five colour types in the period from seven days to 24 weeks of age. Three hundred mink (about 60 of each colour types) were used. Six different non-linear models, namely Logistic, Gompertz, Brody, Richards, Bridges, and Janoschek were used to define the growth curves of the mink. Models were compared using coefficients of determination (R² values), the Akaike's information criterion (AIC) and the Bayesian information criterion (BIC). The R² were high for all models, ranging from 0.923 to 0.985 for different breeds of mink. Comparing the models by AIC, BIC values and the residuals showed the following results. Three of the models fitted the growth curves very well. Colour type differences were observed in the growth parameters of mink. The brown, mahogany and sapphire was observed to be late maturing and lighter at maturity, while the standard black and Hedlund white had a higher growth rate, reached maturity earlier and attained a heavier mature weight

Microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), in expressed sequence tags (ESTs) provide an opportunity for low cost SSR development. We looked for EST-SSRs in 403,511 ESTs (generated by 454 sequencing and representing 70,654 contigs and 52,082 singletons) from soybean globular stage embryos. Among 122,736 unique ESTs, 3,729 contained one or more SSRs. In total, 3,989 SSRs were identified including 304 mono, 1,374 di, 2,208 tri, 70 tetra, 13 penta and 20 hexanucleotide SSRs. Thirty three EST-SSRs were selected for primer design and polymorphism analysis using twenty soybean cultivars and one wild-type soybean. Successful amplification was obtained using 21 of these primer pairs, 11 of which detected polymorphisms in these soybean cultivars. These results demonstrated that 454 high throughput sequencing is a powerful tool for molecular marker development. From the 3,989 identified SSRs we expect to obtain a large number of makers with polymorphism among different soybean cultivars, which would be useful for analysis of genetic diversity and maker assisted selection in the soybean breeding programs.

Making use of the gene resources of wild type peanuts is a way to increase the genetic diversity of the cultivars. Marker assisted selection (MAS) could shorten the process of inter-specific hybridization and provide a possible way to remove the undesirable traits. However, the limited number of molecular markers available in peanut retarded its MAS process. We started a peanut ESTs (Expressed Sequence Tags) project aiming at cloning genes with agronomic importance and developing molecular markers. In this study we found 610 ESTs that contained one or more SSRs from 12,000 peanut ESTs. The most abundant SSRs in peanut are trinucleotides (66.3%) SSRs and followed by dinucleotide (28.8%) SSRs. AG/TC (10.7%) repeat was the most abundant and followed by CT/GA (9.0%), CTT/GAA (7.4%), and AAG/TTC (7.3%) repeats. Ninety-four SSR containing ESTs were randomly selected for primer design and synthesis, of which 33 pairs could generate good amplification and were used for polymorphism assessment. Results showed that polymorphism was very low in cultivars, while high level of polymorphism was revealed in wild type peanuts.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a cell-surface receptor that activates innate and adaptive immune responses. Recognizing a broad class of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), TLR4 is implicated as a receptor mediating cellular activation in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a cell-wall component of gram-negative bacteria, which is the principal PAMP of TLR4. TLR4 is a candidate gene for resistance to a large number of diseases. Human models, in particular, suggest TLR4 to be a candidate gene associated with resistance to sepsis, immunodeficiencies, atherosclerosis and asthma. In this study the bovine TLR4 mRNA and genomic DNA were sequenced and their gene structures were determined through alignment of the genomic DNA sequence to the mRNA sequence. Its mRNA sequence consisted of a 2526-bp open reading frame (ORF) flanked by a 470-bp 5'-untranslated region (UTR) and a 743-bp 3'-UTR; and its genomic DNA is 11,013-bp in length and includes the three exons and two introns. Thirty-one single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected by sequencing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products from 15 cattle, consisting of five randomly selected individuals from Chinese Simmental, Holstein and Sanhe cattle breeds each. Sixteen of these SNPs were in coding regions (cSNP). However, the 3'-untranslated region was comparatively conservative and no SNP was found in it. The SNP (g.8664C>T) found in the Toll IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain of the bovine TLR4 gene leads to amino acid substitution from Thr (C allele) to Ile (T allele). Three hundred and ninety seven cows from Chinese Simmental, Holstein and Sanhe cattle breeds were genotyped for SNP (g.8664C>T) using the method of created restriction site PCR together with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) by Hinf I. An association study between the SNP and somatic cell score (SCS) in the three breeds showed that the SCS of individuals with a CC genotype was significantly lower than that of the TT genotype.