Genome-wide characterization of Remorin gene family and their responsive expression to abiotic stresses and plant hormone in Brassica napus.

KEY MESSAGE: Remorin proteins could be positively related to salt and osmotic stress resistance in rapeseed. Remorins (REMs) play a crucial role in adaptations to adverse environments. However, their roles in abiotic stress and phytohormone responses in oil crops are still largely unknown. In this study, we identified 47 BnaREM genes in the B.napus genome. Phylogenetic relationship and synteny analysis revealed that they were categorized into 5 distinct groups and have gone through 55 segmental duplication events under purifying selection. Gene structure and conserved domains analysis demonstrated that they were highly conserved and all BnaREMs contained a conserved Remorin_C domain, with a variable N-terminal region. Promoter sequence analysis showed that BnaREM gene promoters contained various hormones and stress-related cis-acting elements. Transcriptome data from BrassicaEDB database exhibited that all BnaREMs were ubiquitously expressed in buds, stamens, inflorescences, young leaves, mature leaves, roots, stems, seeds, silique pericarps, embryos and seed coats. The qRT-PCR analysis indicated that most of them were responsive to ABA, salt and osmotic treatments. Further mutant complementary experiments revealed that the expression of BnaREM1.3-4C-1 in the Arabidopsis rem1.3 mutant restored the retarded growth phenotype and the ability to resistance to salt and osmotic stresses. Our findings provide fundamental information on the structure and evolutionary relationship of the BnaREM family genes in rapeseed, and reveal the potential function of BnaREM1.3-4C-1 in stress and hormone response.

A novel rabbit model of atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque established by cryofluid-induced endothelial injury.

Acute thrombosis secondary to atherosclerotic plaque rupture is the main cause of acute cardiac and cerebral ischemia. An animal model of unstable atherosclerotic plaques is highly important for investigating the mechanism of plaque rupture and thrombosis. However, current animal models involve complex operations, are costly, and have plaque morphologies that are different from those of humans. We aimed to establish a simple animal model of vulnerable plaques similar to those of humans. Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. Group A was given a normal formula diet for 13 weeks. Group C underwent surgery on the intima of the right carotid artery with - 80 °C cryofluid-induced injury after 1 week of a high-fat diet and further feeding a 12-week high-fat diet. Group B underwent the same procedure as Group C but without the - 80 °C cryofluid. Serum lipid levels were detected via ELISA. The plaque morphology, stability and degree of stenosis were evaluated through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson trichrome staining, Elastica van Gieson staining (EVG), and oil red O staining. Macrophages and inflammatory factors in the plaques were assessed via immunohistochemical analysis. The serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels in groups B and C were significantly greater than those in group A. No plaque formation was observed in group A. The plaques in group B were very small. In group C, obvious plaques were observed in the blood vessels, and the plaques exhibited a thin fibrous cap, a large lipid core, and partially visible neovascularization, which is consistent with the characteristics of vulnerable plaques. In the plaques of group C, a large number of macrophages were present, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor 1 (LOX-1) were abundantly expressed. We successfully established a rabbit model of vulnerable carotid plaque similar to that of humans through the combination of cryofluid-induced endothelial injury and a high-fat diet, which is feasible and cost effective.

Effects of probucol on contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to explore the effects of probucol on contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) in patients with coronary heart disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: In total, 220 patients undergoing PCI were randomly assigned to either the control group (hydration from 12 hours before to 12 hours after contrast administration; n = 110) or the probucol group (hydration plus probucol 500 mg twice daily 1 day before and 3 days after the operation; n = 110). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of serum creatinine (Scr)-based CIAKI, defined as an absolute increase in Scr by 0.5 mg/dl (44.2 µmol/L) or a relative 25% increase from baseline within 48 to 72 hours after exposure to contrast medium. The secondary outcomes were composite variations in Scr, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) within 48 to 72 hours, and major adverse events during hospitalization or the 7-day follow-up period after PCI. RESULTS: The overall incidence of Scr-based CIAKI was 7.3% (16/220): 5.5% (6/110) in the control group and 9.1% (10/110) in the probucol group (χ = 1.078, P = .298). There were no significant differences in the occurrence rate of major adverse events during hospitalization or the 7-day follow-up period after PCI between the groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that probucol was not an independent protective factor for CIAKI (odds ratio, 1.825; 95% confidence interval, 0.639-5.212; P = .261). However, hydration was an independent protective factor (odds ratio, 0.997; 95% confidence interval, 0.995-0.999; P = .004). CONCLUSION: Probucol cannot effectively reduce the incidence of CIAKI through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative stress effects.