Authors: Q. Sun, X. Yang and R. Li
Pistacia chinensis Bunge is a dioecious plant that originated in China, and its sex cannot be identified at the early stage of cultivation by only its appearance. Recent studies show that the seed of P. chinensis is an ideal feedstock for biofuel production. To guide the cultivation of this energy plant scientifically, a new method is urgently needed to i.. Read More»
Authors: D.B. Tian, S.X. Cai, G.C. Pan, Y.F. Zhang and J.H. Xiao
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the rs3795879 polymorphism of the SERPINE2 gene on the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on a systematic meta-analysis. An extensive literature search was performed to retrieve previously published case-control studies on the polymorphisms of SERPINE2 in COPD patients. O.. Read More»
Authors: L.D. Barili, N.M. Vale, L.M. Moura, R.G. Paula, F.F. Silva and J.E.S. Carneiro
We aimed to evaluate 40 common bean cultivars recommended by various Brazilian research institutions between 1970 and 2013 and estimate the genetic progress obtained for grain yield and other agronomic traits. Additionally, we proposed a bi-segmented nonlinear regression model to infer the year in which breeding began to show significant gains in Brazil. .. Read More»
Authors: L.J. Tian, J.H. Cao, X.Q. Deng, C.L. Zhang, T. Qian, X.X. Song and B.S. Huang
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy with no cure currently available. In this study, using two microarray data sets obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we conducted a dysfunctional pathway-enrichment analysis and investigated deregulated genes that are specific to dif.. Read More»
Authors: C. Wang, T.Y. Wang, L.Y. Zhang, X.J. Gao, X.W. Wang and C.J. Jin
Site-directed mutagenesis is an essential technique for investigating the mechanisms of gene regulation on a molecular level, as well as for exploring post-translational modifications and functional structure at the protein level. Polymerase chain reaction combining in vitro synthesis of oligonucleotide primers allows for site-directed mutation to be perf.. Read More»
Authors: L.N. Rickes, M.C. Alvarengo, T.M. Souza, G.L. Garcias and M.G. Martino-Roth
Hairdressers are exposed daily to chemical substances, such as dyes, chemical straighteners and curling chemicals, which can be absorbed, inhaled or possibly ingested. We analyzed the frequency of micronuclei (MNC) in exfoliated cells of the buccal mucosa of 50 hairdressers and 50 controls in Pelotas, RS, Brazil. An assessment.. Read More»
Authors: F.X. Wei, X.F. Hu, B. Xu, M.H. Zhang, S.Y. Li, Q.Y. Sun and P. Lin
To investigate the effect of ammonia (NH3) and humidity on the immune response of broilers, broilers were exposed to 30 or 70 mg/kg atmospheric NH3 for 21 days. Additionally, birds were exposed to 35, 60, and 85% relative humidity (RH). The relative weights of lymphoid organs, serum total protein, serum globulin, serum albumin, serum lysozyme, proliferati.. Read More»
Authors: Y.W. Zhang, M.H. Guo, X.B. Tang, D. Jin and Z.Y. Fang
Bolting and flowering are key processes during the growth and development of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp pekinensis). Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying bolting and flowering is of significance for improving production of the vegetable. A leaf-color change from bright green to gray-green has been observed following differentiation.. Read More»
Authors: H.G. Wang, J.L. Wang, P. Chang, F.L. Cao4, X.C. Liu, Y.B. Ma, G.X. Zhai and H.Q. Gao
We examined the effect of polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene on the risk for essential hypertension in a Han Chinese population through a meta-analysis of data from 15 studies. Associations between increased risk for essential hypertension and 4b/a were obtained in a dominant model and allele contrast .. Read More»
Authors: T.T. Zhao, L.L. Shen, X.L. Zhang, D.Y. Gu, Q. Zhang, X.Y. Huo, C.J. Tang and J.F. Chen
Published data regarding the association between the cytosolic serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT1) C1420T (Leu474Phe) polymorphism and solid tumor risk have shown inconclusive results. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, we performed a meta-analysis of 23 published studies that included 14,409 cancer cases and 16,996 controls. A c.. Read More»