Transcriptomics and Plant Hormone Analysis Reveal the Mechanism of Branching Angle Formation in Tea Plants ().

The branching angle of tea plants is a key factor in determining their branching structure, which significantly affects yield, suitability for mechanical harvesting, and overall plant architecture. However, the mechanisms underlying branching angle formation in tea plants remain unclear. In this study, we explored the mechanism of branching angle formation in tea plants by analysing the transcriptome and plant hormone levels of tea plant cultivars with different branching angles.

Evaluation the Application of Karyotype Analysis and Chromosome Microarray in Prenatal Diagnosis.

Background: We aimed to compare the difference of the chromosomal abnormalities using karyotype analysis and chromosomal microarray (CMA) as well as to evaluate their application in different prenatal diagnosis indications.

Methods: Overall, 3007 pregnant women with prenatal diagnosis indications from Medical Genetics Department of Linyi Women and Children's Health Care Hospital, who underwent standard G-banded karyotype analysis and CMA, were enrolled from 2018-2022. G-banded karyotype analysis and CMA were undergone simultaneously.

Chromosomal abnormalities detected by chromosomal microarray analysis and pregnancy outcomes of 4211 fetuses with high-risk prenatal indications.

With the gradual liberalization of the three-child policy and the development of assisted reproductive technology in China, the number of women with high-risk pregnancies is gradually increasing. In this study, 4211 fetuses who underwent chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) with high-risk prenatal indications were analysed. The results showed that the overall prenatal detection rate of CMA was 11.

Prenatal detection of chromosome 7q deletion with duplication: A case report and literature review.

Rationale: With advances in prenatal diagnostic techniques, chromosomal microdeletions and microduplications have become the focus of prenatal diagnosis. 7q partial monosomy or trisomy due to a deletion or duplication of the 7q end is relatively rare and usually originates from parents carrying a balanced translocation.

Patient Concerns: Noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPT) showed a fetus with partial deletion and duplication of chromosome 7q.

Gene mutation analysis and genetic counseling for patients with non-syndromic hearing loss in Linyi region.

Through gene mutation analysis of patients with non-syndromic hearing loss (NSHL) correct genetic counseling for patients with NSHL and their family members were provided. A total of 116 patients suffering from NSHL were selected, and Sanger sequencing was applied to analyze 31 mutation sites in four deafness genes [gap junction β-2 (), solute carrier family 26, member 4 (), and mitochondria 12S ribosomal ribonucleic acid ()]. Based on detection results, for the families with reproductive needs, amniotic fluid was extracted from pregnant women during proper gestational weeks to identify fetal genotypes and predict hearing state.

Community-based stroke system of care improves patient outcomes in Chinese rural areas.

Background: Building effective and efficient stroke care systems is a key step in improving prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this stroke system of care on stroke management during a 2-year follow-up.

Methods: A stroke system of care was developed from November 2009 to November 2010 in three townships in Ganyu County.

Triterpenoids with antiplatelet aggregation activity from Ilex rotunda.

Phytochemical studies on the barks of Ilex rotunda Thunb. had resulted in the isolation of seven previously undescribed triterpenoids, rotundinosides E-K, along with sixteen known ones. The structures of previously undescribed compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and the sugar moieties were further identified by HPLC and GC after acid hydrolysis.

Palladium-catalyzed highly regioselective hydroaminocarbonylation of aromatic alkenes to branched amides.

Pd(t-BuP) has been successfully identified as an efficient catalyst for the hydroaminocarbonylation of aromatic alkenes to branched amides under relatively mild reaction conditions. With hydroxylamine hydrochloride as an additive, both aliphatic and aromatic amines could be used as coupling partners for the present reaction, leading to production of branched amides in high yields with excellent regioselectivities.

Investigation on the differences of accumulating Escherichia coli in three types of shellfish species, involving in the environmental factors.

This study investigated accumulation of Escherichia coli and aerobic colony count in three types of shellfish species. The results indicated that the capability of accumulating E. coli and aerobic colony count for Sinonovacula constricta was stronger than that for Meretrix meretrix and Tegillarca granosa, and capability of accumulating E.

New clerodane diterpenoids from Croton crassifolius.

Two new clerodane diterpenoids (1-2), one new clerodane diterpenoid alkaloid (3), as well as thirteen known compounds were isolated from Croton crassifolius. The structures of new compounds were established by a combination of spectroscopic methods, including HRMS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, (1)H (1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compound 3 is firstly reported as the clerodane-type diterpenoid alkaloid in natural products.

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy caused by the homoplasmic ND1 m.3635G>A mutation in nine Han Chinese families.

In this report, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON)-associated mitochondrial m.3635G>A (p.S110N, ND1) mutation.

[The analysis of mitochondrial DNA haplogroups and variants for Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy in Chinese families carrying the m.14484T >C mutation].

The m.14484T>C mutation in mitochondrial ND6 gene (MT-ND6) is a primary mutation underlying the development of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) , but by itself not enough to cause visual loss. To explore the role of mitochondrial haplogroups on the expression of LHON for the people carrying the m.

Mitochondrial haplotypes may modulate the phenotypic manifestation of the LHON-associated ND1 G3460A mutation in Chinese families.

To investigate the pathophysiology of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), a cohort of 1164 Han Chinese subjects with LHON were screened for ND1 G3460A mutation. A total of 295 subjects from 16 Han Chinese families carrying the G3460A mutation underwent a clinical and genetic evaluation and molecular analysis of mitochondrial (mt)DNA. The incidence of G3460A mutation was 1.

Frequency and spectrum of mitochondrial ND6 mutations in 1218 Han Chinese subjects with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy.

Purpose: To investigate the molecular pathogenesis of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) in Chinese families.

Methods: A cohort of 1218 Han Chinese subjects with LHON and 316 control subjects underwent the clinical and genetic evaluation and molecular analysis of mitochondrial (mt)DNA.

Results: The age at onset of optic neuropathy in these subjects ranged from 5 to 55 years, with the average of 18 years.

HIV impairs TNF-alpha mediated macrophage apoptotic response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The factors that contribute to the exceptionally high incidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) disease in HIV(+) persons are poorly understood. Macrophage apoptosis represents a critical innate host cell response to control MTb infection and limit disease. In the current study, virulent live or irradiated MTb (iMTbRv) induced apoptosis of differentiated human U937 macrophages in vitro, in part dependent on TNF-alpha.

Pneumocystis-mediated IL-8 release by macrophages requires coexpression of mannose receptors and TLR2.

Interaction with the unique fungus Pneumocystis (Pc) promotes IL-8 release by human alveolar macrophages (AM), although the receptor(s) mediating IL-8 release have not been identified. TLR2 recognizes fungal components and mediates release of host defense cytokines and chemokines, although whether TLR2 mediates signaling in response to Pc is not known. In the current study, Pc induced IL-8 release by human AM, and AM pretreatment with anti-TLR2 neutralizing antibody reduced IL-8 release.

HIV impairs TNF-alpha release in response to Toll-like receptor 4 stimulation in human macrophages in vitro.

The molecular mechanisms for increased risk of bacterial pneumonia in HIV+ persons remain incompletely understood. Recognizing the critical role of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling in host defense, this study showed that human U937 macrophage stimulation by the TLR4-specific ligand, lipid A (biologically active component of bacterial LPS), promoted TNF-alpha release through extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation. In contrast, HIV+ U1 macrophages had significantly reduced TNF-alpha release (despite preserved TLR4 expression) and reduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, whereas TNF-alpha release was intact via a TLR4-independent pathway.

Negative regulatory role of mannose receptors on human alveolar macrophage proinflammatory cytokine release in vitro.

Alveolar macrophages (AM) are critical components of lung innate immunity and contribute to an effective host response to Pneumocystis pneumonia. Recognition of unopsonized Pneumocystis organisms by human AM is mediated predominantly via mannose receptors and results in phagocytosis, release of reactive oxygen species, and activation of the nuclear transcription factor (NF)-kappaB. However, the AM host defense genes activated by Pneumocystis have not been defined.

Cdc42 and RhoB activation are required for mannose receptor-mediated phagocytosis by human alveolar macrophages.

Human alveolar macrophages (AMs) phagocytose Pneumocystis (Pc) organisms predominantly through mannose receptors, although the molecular mechanism mediating this opsonin-independent process is not known. In this study, using AMs from healthy individuals, Pc phagocytosis was associated with focal F-actin polymerization and Cdc42, Rac1, and Rho activation in a time-dependent manner. Phagocytosis was primarily dependent on Cdc42 and RhoB activation (as determined by AM transfection with Cdc42 and RhoB dominant-negative alleles) and mediated predominantly through mannose receptors (as determined by siRNA gene silencing of AM mannose receptors).

Pneumocystis activates human alveolar macrophage NF-kappaB signaling through mannose receptors.

Alveolar macrophages (AM) represent important effector cells in the innate immune response to the AIDS-related pathogen Pneumocystis, but the early AM host defense signaling events are poorly defined. Using AM from healthy individuals, we showed in the present study that Pneumocystis organisms stimulate AM NF-kappaB p50 and p65 nuclear translocation in a time-dependent and multiplicity-of-infection-dependent manner as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and immunofluorescence microscopy and that NF-kappaB nuclear translocation is associated with I-kappaB phosphorylation. Importantly, competitive inhibition of mannose receptor and targeted short interfering RNA-mediated gene suppression of mannose receptor mRNA and protein is associated with complete elimination of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation in response to Pneumocystis.