Functional study of the soybean stamen-preferentially expressed gene GmFLA22a in regulating male fertility.

China has a high dependence on soybean imports, yield increase at a faster rate is an urgent problem that need to be solved at present. The application of heterosis is one of the effective ways to significantly increase crop yield. In recent years, the development of an intelligent male sterility system based on recessive nuclear sterile genes has provided a potential solution for rapidly harnessing the heterosis in soybean.

NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis Pathway Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Keratitis.

Purpose: Fungal keratitis is a sight-threatening corneal infection caused by fungal pathogens, and the pathogenic mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine whether NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis contributes to () keratitis and explore the underlying mechanism.

Methods: An mouse model of keratitis and an culture model of human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) challenged with heat-killed (HKCA) were established in this study.

Progress on genic male sterility gene in soybean.

Male sterility refers to the phenomenon that stamens cannot grow normally and produce viable pollen grains in plants. Hybrid seed production by taking advantage of the trait of male sterility is an effective and quick strategy to increase crop yield. Up to date, the yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.

Targeting neuronal and glial cell types with synthetic promoter AAVs in mice, non-human primates and humans.

Targeting genes to specific neuronal or glial cell types is valuable for both understanding and repairing brain circuits. Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are frequently used for gene delivery, but targeting expression to specific cell types is an unsolved problem. We created a library of 230 AAVs, each with a different synthetic promoter designed using four independent strategies.

Functional characterization of CEP250 variant identified in nonsyndromic retinitis pigmentosa.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common manifestation of inherited retinal diseases with high degree of genetic, allelic, and phenotypic heterogeneity. CEP250 encodes the C-Nap1 protein and has been associated with various retinal phenotypes. Here, we report the identification of a mutation (c.

Retinal miRNAs variations in a large cohort of inherited retinal disease.

Background: Although great efforts have been paid on identification of genetic predisposition in the inherited retinal disease (IRD), genetic causes of a large proportion of patients remain a mystery. This dilemma makes us attempt to speculate that genetic components other than coding genes might be an additional pool predisposing IRD. In this study, we aim to perform a mutational screening in a large cohort of IRD patients with a particular focus on retina-specific or abundant microRNAs (miRs).

Mutations in LRP5,FZD4, TSPAN12, NDP, ZNF408, or KIF11 Genes Account for 38.7% of Chinese Patients With Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose: Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a severe hereditary retinal disorder characterized by defects in retinal vascular development. To date, six genes have been reported to be responsible for this disease, including LRP5, FZD4, TSPAN12, NDP, ZNF408, and KIF11. The purpose of our study was to investigate the genetic defects in Chinese patients with FEVR through mutational analyses of 31 pedigrees.

Laparoendoscopic single-site ureteroureterostomy with intraoperative retrograde ureteroscopy-assisted technique for benign proximal and middle ureteral strictures: a single-center experience.

Objective: To report a minimally invasive and reproducible technique that greatly facilitates the identification of the stricture during laparoendoscopic single-site ureteroureterostomy (LESS-UU) for benign proximal and middle ureteral strictures, using the intraoperative retrograde ureteroscopy-assisted technique.

Patients And Methods: Between April 2011 and January 2013, 13 patients with a benign proximal or middle ureteral stricture underwent LESS-UU at our institution. A combination of diuretic renal scans, antegrade/retrograde ureteropyelography and/or computed tomography, and stent placement or exchange was preoperatively performed to assess all patients.

Retroperitoneoscopic upper pole nephroureterectomy in duplex kidney: focus on the role of dilated upper pole ureter.

Purpose: To describe our technique and experience with retroperitoneoscopic upper pole nephroureterectomy in duplex kidney, focusing on the role of dilated upper ureter.

Materials And Methods: From November 2004 to August 2011, retroperitoneoscopic upper pole nephroureterectomy was performed in 31 patients with a duplex kidney by a single, experienced laparoscopic surgeon. We developed our own surgical technique to suit this technically challenging procedure.

Laparoendoscopic single-site retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma: case selection, surgical technique, and short-term outcome.

Purpose: To present our experience with case selection and operative skills of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma and evaluate its feasibility.

Patients And Methods: Between June 2011 and December 2012, we performed LESS retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy for 16 patients with pheochromocytoma. In all patients, the diameter of the pheochromocytoma was less than 4.

Transperitoneal mini-laparoscopic pyeloplasty and concomitant ureteroscopy-assisted pyelolithotomy for ureteropelvic junction obstruction complicated by renal caliceal stones.

Objective: To present our experience of combining transperitoneal mini-laparoscopic pyeloplasty (mini-LP) and concomitant ureteroscopy-assisted pyelolithotomy (U-P) for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) complicated by renal caliceal stones in the same session.

Methods: Between May 2007 and December 2011, mini-LP and concomitant U-P was performed in nine patients with UPJO and ipsilateral renal caliceal stones. Stone location and burden were preoperatively assessed.

Retroperitoneal laparoendoscopic single-site ureterolithotomy and ureteroureterostomy for retrocaval ureter with ureteral calculus: first case report.

A 53-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of intermittent right flank pain. Radiological imaging confirmed the diagnosis of retrocaval ureter (RCU) and ureteral calculus. Retroperitoneal laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) ureterolithotomy and ureteroureterostomy was successfully performed.