Sequence variants in the autophagy gene IRGM and multiple other replicating loci contribute to Crohn's disease susceptibility

A genome-wide association scan in individuals with Crohn's disease by the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium detected strong association at four novel loci. We tested 37 SNPs from these and other loci for association in an independent case-control sample. We obtained replication for the autophagy-inducing IRGM gene on chromosome 5q33.1 (replication P = 6.6 x 10(-4), combined P = 2.1 x 10(-10)) and for nine other loci, including NKX2-3, PTPN2 and gene deserts on chromosomes 1q and 5p13.     

Microwave sintering effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-51at%Ni shape memory alloys

Ti-51at%Ni shape memory alloys (SMAs) were successfully produced via a powder metallurgy and microwave sintering technique. The influence of sintering parameters on porosity reduction, microstructure, phase transformation temperatures, and mechanical properties were investigated by optical microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), compression tests, and microhardness tests. Varying the microwave temperature and holding time was found to strongly affect the density of porosity, presence of precipitates, transformation temperatures, and mechanical properties. The lowest density and smallest pore size were observed in the Ti-51at%Ni samples sintered at 900℃ for 5 min or at 900℃ for 30 min. The predominant martensite phases of β2 and β19' were observed in the microstructure of Ti-51at%Ni, and their existence varied in accordance with the sintering temperature and the holding time. In the DSC thermograms, multi-transformation peaks were observed during heating, whereas a single peak was observed during cooling; these peaks correspond to the presence of the β2, R, and β19' phases. The maximum strength and strain among the Ti-51at%Ni SMAs were 1376 MPa and 29%, respectively, for the sample sintered at 900℃ for 30 min because of this sample's minimal porosity.     

Phylogenetic investigation on five genera of tintinnid ciliates （Ciliophora, Choreotrichia）, based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences

The phylogenetic relationship among tintinnid ciliates are relatively poorly studied based on molecular data. In the present work, seven species belonging to five genera of the order Tintinnida (Amphorellopsis acuta, Codonellopsis nipponica, Favella taraikaensis, Stenosemella nivalis, Tintinnopsis beroidea, Tintinnopsis cylindrica and Tintinnopsis lohmanni) were analyzed using the information on their small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using Bayesian inference (BI), maximum parsimony (MP), neighbor-joining (NJ), and least-squares (LS) methods. Generally, similar topologies were revealed with high or moderate supports, in which the main results show that (1) all tintinnids analyzed belong to a single assemblage; (2) congeners in Tintinnopsis do not cluster together, which indicates that the lorica-based definition for this genus is not consistent with the SSU rRNA phylogeny; (3) A. acuta groups with Tintinnidium mucicola but not with Eutintinnus, indicating that the traditional family Tintinnidae might be a paraphyletic group; (4) Stenosemella and Codonellopsis are clearly most related and possibly even merged into one genus regarding their similar morphology and molecular analyses, and possession of a hyaline collar is the only characteristic of the genus.     

Reconsideration of the phylogenetic positions of three stichotrichous genera Holosticha, Anteholosticha and Pseudokeronopsis （Spirotrichea： Ciliophora） inferred from complete SSU rRNA gene sequences

The small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene for six marine stichotrichs, Pseudokeronopsis carnea, P. flava, Holosticha heterofoissneri, H. diademata, H. bradburyae and Anteholosticha manca, was sequenced and characterized. Using this molecular information, the phylogenetic positions of three related genera, Pseudokeronopsis, Holosticha and Anteholosticha were determined. The results indicate that the family Urostylidae is clearly separated from the family Pseudokeronopsidae. The present phylogenetic analyses unambiguously placed Pseudokeronopsis close to Holosticha, and support the conclusion that these genera should be regarded as the members of the order Urostylidae within the stichotrich clade. Furthermore, the results of this study also support the monophyly of the genus Pseudokeronopsis,the redefinition of Holosticha s. str. and the placement of Anteholosticha in a clade separate from Holosticha.