Subtle regulation of cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt mediated by MAPKK family members.

Verticillium wilt caused by soil-borne fungus of Verticillium dahliae Kleb. is one of the most devastating diseases of cotton. Since the hierarchically organized mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade plays pivotal roles in signaling plant defense against pathogen attack, and the key nodes of MAPKKs (MKKs) may serve as for the convergence and divergence of signals in MAPK cascades, the possible relations between MAPK signaling and cotton Verticillium resistance were examined in this study.

Triptolide induces autophagy and apoptosis through ERK activation in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

To investigate the effects of triptolide (TPI) on proliferation, autophagy and death in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, and to elucidate the associated molecular mechanisms, intracellular alterations were analyzed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry assays. The results of the MTT assay revealed that TPI significantly reduced the MCF-7 cell survival rate when the concentration was >10 nmol/l. TPI activated a caspase cascade reaction by regulating Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma 2 expression, and promoted programmed cell death via the mitochondrial pathway.

Longitudinal intrinsic optical imaging of cortical blood perfusion and tissue damage in focal photothrombosis stroke model.

A thorough understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics of blood supply and tissue viability is of great importance in stroke researches. In the current study, vascular and cellular responses to focal ischemia were monitored with optical coherence tomography on chronic rat photothrombotic stroke model. The 3D mapping of blood perfusion and cellular scattering were achieved by analyzing the temporal dynamics and depth attenuation of intrinsic backscattered light respectively.

Responses and recovery assessment of continuously cultured Nitrosomonas europaea under chronic ZnO nanoparticle stress: Effects of dissolved oxygen.

Although the antibacterial performances of emerging nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively explored in the nitrifying systems, the impacts of dissolved oxygen (DO) levels on their bio-toxicities to the nitrifiers and the impaired cells' recovery potentials have seldom been addressed yet. In this study, the physiological and transcriptional responses of the typical ammonia oxidizers - Nitrosomonas europaea in a chemostat to the chronic ZnO NP exposure under different DO conditions were investigated. The results indicated that the cells in steady-growth state in the chemostat were more persevering than batch cultured ones to resist ZnO NP stress despite the dose-dependent NP inhibitory effects were observed.

2D-QSAR study, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation studies of interaction mechanism between inhibitors and transforming growth factor-beta receptor I (ALK5).

Transforming growth factor type 1 receptor (ALK5) is kinase associated with a wide variety of pathological processes, and inhibition of ALK5 is a good strategy to treat many kinds of cancer and fibrotic diseases. Recently, a series of compounds have been synthesized as ALK5 inhibitors. However, the study of their selectivity against other potential targets remains elusive.

Prescription Optimization and Oral Bioavailability Study of Salvianolic Acid Extracts W/O/W Multiple Emulsion.

The purpose of this study is to develop a new method of preparing salvianolic acid extracts (SAE) water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) multiple emulsion (ME). SAE injection is used in the treatment of brain infarct and promotion of blood circulation in China. However, the injection is not convenient, and the oral preparation has poor bioavailability.

Anesthesia Quality and Patient Safety in China: A Survey.

Unlabelled: There has been no nationwide investigation into anesthesia quality and patient safety in China. The authors surveyed Chinese anesthesiologists about anesthesia quality by sending a survey to all anesthesiologist members of the New Youth Anesthesia Forum via WeChat. The respondents could choose to use a mobile device or desktop to complete the survey.

Copper- and Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions for the Synthesis of N-Fused Benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole Derivatives via Substituted trans-1,2-Diiodoalkenes, 1H-Benzo[d]imidazole-2-thiols, and Halobenzenes.

Two transition metal (Cu and Pd)-catalyzed C-S, C-N, and C-C bond cross-coupling reactions for the preparation of N-fused benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole derivatives were developed. A variety of 3-substituted and 2,3-disubstituted benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles were efficiently and conveniently synthesized from the coupling reaction via trans-1,2-diiodoalkenes, 1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-thiols, and halobenzenes in moderate to excellent yields.

Conversion from long-term cultivated wheat field to Jerusalem artichoke plantation changed soil fungal communities.

Understanding soil microbial communities in agroecosystems has the potential to contribute to the improvement of agricultural productivity and sustainability. Effects of conversion from long-term wheat plantation to Jerusalem artichoke (JA) plantation on soil fungal communities were determined by amplicon sequencing of total fungal ITS regions. Quantitative PCR and PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis were also used to analyze total fungal and Trichoderma spp.

[Ion distribution, absorption and translocation characteristics of Alhagi sparsifolia in adaptation to saline habitat.].

In order to explore the adaptive capacity of Alhagi sparsifolia to soil salinity (mild, mo-derate, severe saline soil), the distribution, adsorption and translocation characteristics of Na, K, Ca, Mg in different organs of A. sparsifolia, which is a dominant native vegetation in southern edge of Tarim basin, were investigated. The results showed that when grown on a mild and moderate saline soil, Na distribution in different organs of A.

Regional anesthesia practice in China: a survey.

Study Objective: Neuraxial anesthesia has been widely used in China. Recently, Chinese anesthesiologists have applied nerve stimulator and ultrasound guidance for peripheral nerve blocks. Nationwide surveys about regional anesthesia practices in China are lacking.

Research progress of photoperiod regulated genes on flowering time in rice.

Rice flowering regulation is an extremely complex process, which is controlled by genetic factors and external environment. Photoperiodic regulatory pathway is pivotal to control flowering in rice, in which florigen genes Hd3a and RTF1 are at the core and they are regulated by upstream Hd1-dependent, Ehd1-dependent, as well as both Hd1- and Ehd1-independent pathways. The three pathways bring a variety of light signal information together to Hd3a and RTF1 for further integration, and then transmit the signals in the form of florigen to the downstream flowering related genes.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of the codrug of Leonurine and Aspirin as cardioprotective agents.

The novel codrugs of Leonurine and Aspirin, compounds 545 and 503 have been synthesized and evaluated on their cardioprotective effects. Preliminary pharmacological studies showed that both compounds 545 and 503 were able to increase cell viability of hypoxia-induced H9c2 cells, and compound 545 exhibited at least ten fold potency than 503 and their parent drugs (Leonurine and Aspirin). Further mechanisms studies indicated that the cardioprotective effect of 545 due to its (1) anti-oxidative ability by increasing SOD and CAT enzymes activity and decreasing MDA content and LDH leakage rate, (2) anti-apoptosis activity by regulating apoptosis-associated proteins expression during hypoxia, (3) anti-inflammatory effect by suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators.

Physicochemical properties of starches and expression and activity of starch biosynthesis-related genes in sweet potatoes.

The functional properties of starches from six sweet potato varieties containing various starch components and structures were studied in an attempt to identify starch sources for industrial uses. Tainan 18 (TNN18) with high-amylose (AM) starch exhibited high setback and breakdown viscosities, high water solubility at 85°C but low swelling volume at 65°C, and high hardness and adhesiveness; in contrast, the low-AM starch of Tainung 31 (TNG31) had opposite characteristics. Seven genes related to starch biosynthesis were tested, and GBSS, SS, SBEII, ISA, and AGPase were highly expressed in TNN18 and TNG31; however, transcript levels in DBE and SBE were extremely low.

Isolation of Endogenously Assembled RNA-Protein Complexes Using Affinity Purification Based on Streptavidin Aptamer S1.

Efficient isolation of endogenously assembled viral RNA-protein complexes is essential for understanding virus replication mechanisms. We have developed an affinity purification strategy based on an RNA affinity tag that allows large-scale preparation of native viral RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). The streptavidin-binding aptamer S1 sequence was inserted into the 3' end of dengue virus (DENV) 5'-3' UTR RNA, and the DENV RNA UTR fused to the S1 RNA aptamer was expressed in living mammalian cells.

Transcriptome profiling shows gene regulation patterns in a flavonoid pathway in response to exogenous phenylalanine in Boesenbergia rotunda cell culture.

Background: Panduratin A extracted from Boesenbergia rotunda is a flavonoid reported to possess a range of medicinal indications which include anti-dengue, anti-HIV, anti-cancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Boesenbergia rotunda is a plant from the Zingiberaceae family commonly used as a food ingredient and traditional medicine in Southeast Asia and China. Reports on the health benefits of secondary metabolites extracted from Boesenbergia rotunda over the last few years has resulted in rising demands for panduratin A.

Genetic differentiation revealed by selective loci of drought-responding EST-SSRs between upland and lowland rice in China.

Upland and lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) represent two of the most important rice ecotypes adapted to ago-ecosystems with contrasting soil-water conditions. Upland rice, domesticated in the water-limited environment, contains valuable drought-resistant characters that can be used in water-saving breeding.

Genomic organization and promoter analysis of a transcriptional repressor gene from Fenneropenaeus chinensis.

In this study, we cloned and sequenced genomic sequences from a Fenneropenaeus chinensis transcriptional repressor gene, FcTR. The FcTR gene is 2,671 bp in length and has four exons and three introns. The 873 bp promoter contains several transcription factor binding sites, including a TATA box and a cyclic AMP-responsive element.

Identification of sex-linked DNA markers by AFLP in Portunus trituberculatus.

To investigate the mechanism of sex determination of crabs, amplified fragment-length polymorphism DNA analysis was applied to identify sex-specific markers for Portunus trituberculatus. Eleven pairs of primers were used to amplify DNA isolated from male and female crabs. A total of 481 and 499 fragments were amplified for females and males, respectively, and the ratios of polymorphic fragments were 20.

Decoding complex patterns of genomic rearrangement in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Elucidating the molecular basis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is crucial to developing targeted diagnostics and therapies for this deadly disease. The landscape of somatic genomic rearrangements (GRs), which can lead to oncogenic gene fusions, remains poorly characterized in HCC. We have predicted 4314 GRs including large-scale insertions, deletions, inversions and translocations based on the whole-genome sequencing data for 88 primary HCC tumor/non-tumor tissues.

Cloning of Hsp21 gene and its expression in Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis in response to WSSV challenge.

In the present study, a DNA sequence encoding a small heat shock protein gene (FcHsp21) in the Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis, was cloned, and its expression was analyzed after white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection. The FcHsp21 gene contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 555 bp in length, encoding a 184 amino acid protein with a theoretical size of about 21 kDa and a predicted isoelectric point of 5.38.

Omics evidence: single nucleotide variants transmissions on chromosome 20 in liver cancer cell lines.

Cancer genomics unveils many cancer-related mutations, including some chromosome 20 (Chr.20) genes. The mutated messages have been found in the corresponding mRNAs; however, whether they could be translated to proteins still requires more evidence.

Whole-genome sequencing identifies recurrent mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most deadly cancers worldwide and has no effective treatment, yet the molecular basis of hepatocarcinogenesis remains largely unknown. Here we report findings from a whole-genome sequencing (WGS) study of 88 matched HCC tumor/normal pairs, 81 of which are Hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive, seeking to identify genetically altered genes and pathways implicated in HBV-associated HCC. We find beta-catenin to be the most frequently mutated oncogene (15.

Dendrimer-encapsulated copper as a novel oligonucleotides label for sensitive electrochemical stripping detection of DNA hybridization.

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of a novel electrochemical label for sensitive electrochemical stripping detection of DNA hybridization based on dendrimer-encapsulated copper. The generation 4.5 (G 4.

Genomic organization and promoter characterization of FcCTL, a C-type lectin-like protein in Fenneropenaeus chinensis.

Diseases caused by viruses are the greatest challenge to worldwide shrimp aquaculture. C-type lectins may play an important role in shrimp immunity. The gene encoding FcCTL, a C-type lectin-like protein, was isolated from Fenneropenaeus chinensis and characterized.