Establishing a 4D-CT lung function related volumetric dose model to reduce radiation pneumonia.

In order to study how to use pulmonary functional imaging obtained through 4D-CT fusion for radiotherapy planning, and transform traditional dose volume parameters into functional dose volume parameters, a functional dose volume parameter model that may reduce level 2 and above radiation pneumonia was obtained. 41 pulmonary tumor patients who underwent 4D-CT in our department from 2020 to 2023 were included. MIM Software (MIM 7.0.7; MIM Software Inc., Cleveland, OH, USA) was used to register adjacent phase CT images in the 4D-CT series. The three-dimensional displacement vector of CT pixels was obtained when changing from one respiratory state to another respiratory state, and this three-dimensional vector was quantitatively analyzed. Thus, a color schematic diagram reflecting the degree of changes in lung CT pixels during the breathing process, namely the distribution of ventilation function strength, is obtained. Finally, this diagram is fused with the localization CT image. Select areas with Jacobi > 1.2 as high lung function areas and outline them as fLung. Import the patient's DVH image again, fuse the lung ventilation image with the localization CT image, and obtain the volume of fLung different doses (V60, V55, V50, V45, V40, V35, V30, V25, V20, V15, V10, V5). Analyze the functional dose volume parameters related to the risk of level 2 and above radiation pneumonia using R language and create a predictive model. By using stepwise regression and optimal subset method to screen for independent variables V35, V30, V25, V20, V15, and V10, the prediction formula was obtained as follows: Risk = 0.23656-0.13784 * V35 + 0.37445 * V30-0.38317 * V25 + 0.21341 * V20-0.10209 * V15 + 0.03815 * V10. These six independent variables were analyzed using a column chart, and a calibration curve was drawn using the calibrate function. It was found that the Bias corrected line and the Apparent line were very close to the Ideal line, The consistency between the predicted value and the actual value is very good. By using the ROC function to plot the ROC curve and calculating the area under the curve: 0.8475, 95% CI 0.7237-0.9713, it can also be determined that the accuracy of the model is very high. In addition, we also used Lasso method and random forest method to filter out independent variables with different results, but the calibration curve drawn by the calibration function confirmed poor prediction performance. The function dose volume parameters V35, V30, V25, V20, V15, and V10 obtained through 4D-CT are key factors affecting radiation pneumonia. Establishing a predictive model can provide more accurate lung restriction basis for clinical radiotherapy planning.

The Interactions between Two Fungal Endophytes Epicoccum layuense R2-21 and Alternaria alternata XHYN2 and Grapevines (Vitis vinifera) with De Novo Established Symbionts under Aseptic Conditions.

In this study, we focused on grapevine-endophyte interactions and reprogrammed secondary metabolism in the host plant due to defense against the colonization of endophytes. Thus, the transcriptional responses of tissue cultured grapevine seedlings (Vitis vinifera L. cv.: Cabernet Sauvignon) to two fungal endophytes Epicoccum layuense R2-21 (Epi R2-21) and Alternaria alternata XHYN2 (Alt XHYN2) at three different time points (6 h, 6 d, 15 d) were analyzed. As expected, a total of 5748 and 5817 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were separately initiated in Epi R2-21 and Alt XHYN2 symbiotic tissue cultured seedlings compared to no endophyte treatment. The up-regulated DEGs at all time points in Epi R2-21- or Alt XHYN2-treated seedlings were mainly enriched in the flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, stilbenoid, diarylheptanoid and gingerol biosynthesis, and circadian rhythm-plant pathways. In addition, the up-regulated DEGs at all sampling times in Alt XHYN2-treated tissue cultured seedlings were enriched in the plant-pathogen interaction pathway, but appeared in Epi R2-21 symbiotic seedlings only after 15 d of treatment. The down-regulated DEGs were not enriched in any KEGG pathways after 6 h inoculation for Epi R2-21 and Alt XHYN2 treatments, but were enriched mainly in photosynthesis-antenna proteins and plant hormone signal transduction pathways at other sampling times. At three different time points, a total of 51 DEGs (all up-regulated, 1.33-10.41-fold) were involved in secondary metabolism, and 22 DEGs (all up-regulated, 1.01-8.40-fold) were involved in defense responses in endophytic fungi symbiotic tissue cultured seedlings. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network demonstrated that genes encoding CHS (VIT_10s0042g00920, VIT_14s0068g00920, and VIT_16s0100g00910) and the VIT_11s0065g00350 gene encoding CYP73A mediated the defense responses, and might induce more defense-associated metabolites. These results illustrated the activation of stress-associated secondary metabolism in the host grapevine during the establishment of fungi-plant endophytism. This work provides avenues for reshaping the qualities and characteristics of wine grapes utilizing specific endophytes and better understanding plant-microbe interactions.

In situ hydrogel enhances non-efferocytic phagocytosis for post-surgical tumor treatment.

Post-surgical efferocytosis of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) originates an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and facilitates abscopal metastasis of residual tumor cells. Currently, few strategies could inhibit efferocytosis while recovering the tumor-eliminative phagocytosis of TAMs. Herein, we developed an in situ hydrogel that contains anti-CD47 antibody (aCD47) and apocynin (APO), an inhibitor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase. This hydrogel amplifies the non-efferocytic phagocytosis of TAMs by (1) blocking the extracellular "Don't eat me" signal of efferocytosis with aCD47, which enhances the receptor-mediated recognition and engulfment of tumor cells by TAMs in the post-surgical tumor bed, and (2) by utilizing APO to dispose of tumor debris in a non-efferocytic manner, which prevents acidification and maturation of efferosomes and allows for M1-polarization of TAMs, leading to improved antigen presentation ability. With the complementary intervention of extracellular and intracellular, this hydrogel reverses the immunosuppressive effects of efferocytosis, and induces a potent M1-associated Th1 immune response against tumor recurrence. In addition, the in situ detachment and distal colonization of metastatic tumor cells were efficiently restrained due to the intervention of efferocytosis. Collectively, the hydrogel potentiates surgery treatment of tumor by recovering the tumor-elimination ability of post-surgical TAMs.

Ultralight Open-Cell Graphene Aerogels with Multiple, Gradient Microstructures for Efficient Microwave Absorption.

Development of high-performance graphene-based microwave absorbing materials with low density and strong absorption is of great significance to solve the growing electromagnetic pollution. Herein, a controllable open-cell structure is introduced into graphene aerogels by the graphene oxide (GO) Pickering emulsion. The open-cell graphene aerogel (OCGA) with multiple microstructures shows a significantly enhanced microwave absorption ability without any additions. A high microwave absorption performance with the minimum value of reflection loss (RLmin) of -51.22 dB was achieved, while the material density was only 4.81 mg/cm3. Moreover, by means of centrifugation, the graphene cells were arranged by their diameter, and a gradient, open-cell graphene structure was first fabricated. Based on this unique structure, an amazing microwave absorption value of -62.58 dB was reached on a condition of ultra-low graphene content of 0.53 wt%. In our opinion, such excellent microwave absorption performance results from multiple reflection and well-matched impedance brought by the open-cell and gradient structure, respectively. In addition, the structural strength of the OCGA is greatly improved with a maximum increase of 167% due to the introduction of cell structure. Therefore, the OCGAs with the gradient structure can be an excellent candidate for lightweight, efficient microwave absorption materials.

Effects of precipitation seasonal distribution on net ecosystem CO2 exchange over an alpine meadow in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau.

Ecosystem carbon balance might be affected by the variability of seasonal distribution of precipitation under global climate change. Using the eddy covariance (EC) technique, long-term observations of ecosystem net CO2 exchange (NEE) were acquired over Lijiang alpine meadow in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau from January 2014 to August 2019. During the wet season (from June to October), Lijiang meadow functioned as a carbon sink (- 37.6 ± 22.5 g C m-2 month-1), while in dry season, the meadow varied between a weak carbon source and sink with an average monthly NEE of - 3.9 ± 11.9 g C m-2 month-1. Monthly CO2 fluxes were mainly controlled by air temperature and soil water content. A large annual variation of CO2 uptake was observed. The annual NEE was - 140.3 g C m-2 year-1 in 2014 while - 247.0 g C m-2 year-1 in 2016. Correspondingly, the precipitation in wet season accounted 90% of annual precipitation in 2014 and 74% of that in 2016 despite the annual precipitation was larger than 1200 mm in both years. More precipitation in dry season can lead to longer period of net CO2 uptake, while more precipitation concentrated in wet season depressed the meadow's light response through the decrease of the magnitude of light-saturated net CO2 exchange (NEEsat) at the onset and the end of growing season.

Genetic Analysis of a Horizontal Resistance Locus BLMR2 in Brassica napus.

Leptosphaeria maculans causes blackleg disease in Brassica napus. The blackleg disease is mainly controlled by resistance genes in B. napus. Previous studies have shown that the blackleg resistant BLMR2 locus that conferred horizontal resistance under field conditions, is located on chromosome A10 of B. napus. The purpose of this study is to fine map this locus and hence identify a candidate gene underlying horizontal resistance. The spectrum of resistance to L. maculans isolates of the resistance locus BLMR2 was analyzed using near isogenic lines, resistant, and susceptible cultivars. The results showed that this locus was horizontally resistant to all isolates tested. Sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR), simple sequence repeats (SSR), and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were developed in the chromosome region of BLMR2 and a fine genetic map was constructed. Two molecular markers narrowed BLMR2 in a 53.37 kb region where six genes were annotated. Among the six annotated genes, BnaA10g11280D/BnaA10g11290D encoding a cytochrome P450 protein were predicted as the candidate of BLMR2. Based on the profiling of pathogen induced transcriptome, three expressed genes in the six annotated genes were identified while only cytochrome P450 showed upregulation. The candidate corresponds to the gene involved in the indole glucosinolate biosynthesis pathway and plant basal defense in Arabidopsis thaliana. The molecular markers identified in this study will allow the quick incorporation of the BLMR2 allele in rapeseed cultivars to enhance blackleg resistance.

Correlation of microbiota in the gut of fish species and water.

To analyze the intestinal microbiota diversity of several important economic fishes in the Loudi area and its correlation with the microbiota of water environment, the high-throughput sequencing based on the bacteria 16S rRNA was used to analyze the intestinal microbiota diversity in fish intestines and water. The results revealed that half of the OTUs in the water sample could be detected in the fish intestine, the proportion of shared OTUs in the intestines of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and water samples was only 22%, and the unique OTU in the LC group was relatively the highest in the fish intestinal group. It can be seen from the analysis in NMDS analysis, the distance between Hypophthalmichthys molitrix group and water group is relatively farthest. Ctenopharyngodon idellus has the highest microbiota richness and diversity (P < 0.05), while the water samples have the lowest microbiota richness (P < 0.05). Firmicutes, Methylocaldum and Bacillus are the prevalent taxonomic unit in the Aristichthys nobilis and Carassius auratus groups, Anaerospora is the prevalent genera in the Hypophthalmichthys molitrix group, Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria have a high relative abundance ratio in the Ctenopharyngodon idellus group, and the prevalent taxonomic unit in the water sample group are Phenylobacterium, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. In conclusion, fish species have different prevalent microbiota. There are a strong correlation between fish intestinal microbiota and the water environment, and the fish with a weak correlation is Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Results of this study will contribute to the prevention and treatment of fish diseases and the fish ecological culturing in Loudi area.

Ion-mediated self-assembly of Cys-capped quantum dots for fluorescence detection of As(iii) in water.

A sensitive As(iii) ion detection method has been developed based on ion-mediated self-assembly of cysteine (Cys)-capped quantum dots (QDs), and fluorescence self-quenching. A variety of Cys-capped core/shell CdTe/CdS QDs were prepared via hydrothermal methods. Based on the coordination binding between the As(iii) ion and cystine groups anchored on the QDs, addition of As(iii) ions led to self-assembly of the Cys-capped QDs, which was accompanied by fluorescence self-quenching. The fluorescence response was attributed to the exciton energy transfer of the QD aggregates. The ion-mediated fluorescence quenching was further exploited for quantitative determination of As(iii) ions in water. A limit of detection (LOD) of 10 ng L-1 (3σ method) and a linear range from 14 to 70 ng L-1 were obtained for the sensing of As(iii) ions. The system was evaluated using a series of interference targets, and demonstrated high selectivity after addition of mask agents. Finally, the proposed method was successfully employed for the detection of As(iii) in a real water sample. The method was sensitive and specific, and shows great promise in quantitative determination of heavy metal ions in lakes and rivers.

Effect of acid on glycoalkaloids and acrylamide in French fries.

The effects of acid soaking as a pre-treatment on the glycoalkaloid and acrylamide levels in raw and cooked potatoes (French fries) were examined. Soaking raw potato cuts in 1.0%, 2.5% or 5.0% acetic acid solutions for at least 8 hours resulted in >90% reduction of α-solanine and α-chaconine in potato samples. Processing of pre-acid soaked potato cuts into French fries resulted in an additional >50% decrease in the glycoalkaloid contents in the samples. Soaking time was found to be a more important factor in reducing glycoalkaloid levels compared to the acid solution concentrations. Over a 95% reduction in acrylamide was also observed in potato cuts pre-soaked in acetic acid before cooking. The reduction in acrylamide formation in the pre-soaked French fry samples was attributed to the lowered pH and the removal of reducing sugars and asparagine in the raw samples prior to cooking. Findings in this study demonstrate that pre-treatment using acid soaking provides a simple and effective way to mitigate glycoalkaloid and acrylamide levels in potatoes.

Effects of Debaryomyces hansenii treatment on intestinal mucosa microecology in mice with antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

AIM: To confirm the effects of Debaryomyces hansenii on intestinal microecology in mice with antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). METHODS: This study took the mucosal microecology as the entry point and an antibiotic mixture was used to induce diarrhea in mice. D. hansenii suspension was used to treat the mice and the bacterial communities of mucosa was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. RESULTS: The Shannon-Wiener index indicated that the sequencing depth is reasonable and reflected the majority of microbial information. The principal coordinate analysis results showed that mice in the treatment group and the normal group had a similar microbial community structure, while differences in microbial community structure were observed between the model group and the treatment group. The inter-group bacterial structures were analyzed at the phylum level and genus level. The results revealed that antibiotic treatment increased the proportion of Proteobacteria and decreased the proportion of Bacteroides, while D. hansenii treatment inhibited the increase in Proteobacteria. Linear discriminant analysis coupled with effect size measurements (LEfSe) suggested d that the beneficial bacteria Candidatus Arthromitus were the only common bacteria in the normal group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The treatment with D.hansenii could contribute to the maintenance of the structure of the mucosal microbiota in comparison with the normal group and inhibit the proliferation of opportunistic bacteria. However, high-dose antibiotic treatment causes mucosal dysbiosis and the proliferation of opportunistic bacteria during the self-recovery period, such as Pseudoalteromonas, Alteromonas, Vibrio.

The effect of phenology on the carbon exchange process in grassland and maize cropland ecosystems across a semiarid area of China.

Phenology plays an important role in the carbon exchange process. Seven years of continuous eddy covariance data across two different ecosystems in a semiarid area were used to investigate the variation in phenology indices, its effect on the carbon exchange process, and responses to climate change. The results showed that there was large annual variation for vegetation phenology. The GSL (growing season length) displayed an obvious increasing trend for the grassland ecosystem during the 7 years, and it was most determined by SOS (the start day of growing season). The growing season was divided into three periods, the recovery period (S1), the stable period (S2), and the senescence period (S3). Both ecosystems had a similar ratio of Re (ecosystem respiration) to GPP (gross primary production) during S1 and S2 periods but a much larger Re/GPP ratio during the last growing period. The inter-annual variation of the peak rate was most responsible for the NEP (net ecosystem production) and its components (GPP and Re) in both ecosystems. The inter-annual variation of recovery rate, GSL and SOS was found to be closely correlated to Re for the grassland ecosystem, while that could not be found for the cropland ecosystem. The temperature in June was most closely correlated with the peak rate of GPP and NEP for grassland ecosystem, with a significant correlation coefficient of -0.90 and -0.82, respectively. Meanwhile, the precipitation in July was found to be closely correlated with GPP for both ecosystems, with a similar correlation coefficient of 0.83. The precipitation and temperature roughly exhibited an inverse effect on vegetation phenology in this semiarid area. The variation of temperature in the early month and precipitation in mid growing season showed a more significant effect on main phenology indicators for the cropland ecosystem than those for grassland ecosystem.

Diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the skull misdiagnosed as skull metastasis in breast cancer patient: one case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Primary intraosseous cavernous hemangiomas (PICHs) of the skull are extremely rare. To date, diffuse cranial hemangioma of skull has not been reported. In cancer patients, it is often misdiagnosed as metastasis. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we presented a case of a 50-year-old female patient suffering from slightly headache who received breast cancer modified radical mastectomy in 2004, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings revealed abnormal lesions of diffuse skull which were misdiagnosed as skull metastasis, and the relevant literatures were also reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the skull is exceedingly rare, and imaging data are not typical. The condition is often misdiagnosed, and pathological evaluation is necessary and important. In cases where the mass cannot be completely removed by surgery, radiotherapy could be beneficial.

Treatment of high-grade gliomas using escalating doses of hypofractionated simultaneous integrated boost-intensity-modulated radiation therapy in combination with temozolomide: A modified Phase I clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that hypofractionated simultaneous integrated boost-intensity-modulated radiation therapy (SIB-IMRT) provided certain survival benefits over other fractionation methods for high-grade gliomas. However, the best hypofractionation mode and its efficacy have not been confirmed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of hypofractionated SIB-IMRT with stepwise escalating doses combined with temozolomide (TMZ) for treating malignant gliomas. METHODS: The patients received concurrent postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. SIB-IMRT was adopted to increase the dose both in the surgical cavity and residual tumor (planning target volume 1). The dose at each fraction was gradually increased from 2.8 Gy/f (total of 20 times), with an escalating dose interval of 0.4 Gy. The planning target volume 2 involved the 2 cm region around surgical cavity, and residual tumor remained unchanged, with 2.5 Gy each time and a total of 50 Gy/20f. TMZ was administered with a dose of 75 mg/m2/day during radiotherapy. Adjuvant TMZ was given at 150-200 mg/m2/day for 5 days every 28 days. A total of 16 patients were enrolled. RESULTS: Three patients exhibited dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), two cases reported Grade 3 headache in the 3.6 Gy/f and 4 Gy/f dose groups, and one patient developed persistent seizures attacks in the 4 Gy/f dose group. Therefore, 4 Gy/f was considered the DLT and the lower dose level of 3.6 Gy/f was regarded as the MTD in the study, with tolerable adverse reactions. The median overall survival (OS) and median progression-free survival (PFS) in this study were 19 and 16 months, respectively. The 1- and 2-year OS and PFS were 86.7%, 31.0% and 73.7%, 26.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It showed that the treatment of high-grade gliomas with hypofractionated SIB-IMRT combined with TMZ had an MTD of 3.6 Gy/f (72 Gy/20f). In addition, the results preliminarily showed improved survival.

The role of NRAGE subcellular location and epithelial-mesenchymal transition on radiation resistance of esophageal carcinoma cell.

BACKGROUND: Neurotrophin receptor-interacting MAGE homolog (NRAGE) has been considered as a tumor suppressor. In the previous study, we established human esophageal carcinoma resistance cell line TE13R120 and found the difference of NRAGE expression between TE13 and TE13R120 cells by gene microarray. Herein, we further discuss the possible molecular mechanism of NRAGE on participating the radiation sensitivity of esophageal carcinoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used colony formation assay to measure the surviving fraction and relevant radiobiological parameters. NRAGE expression was estimated by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Tumor growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) was used for inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in TE13 cells to detect the relationship between NRAGE and EMT; the capacity of cell migration was also assessed by wound healing assay. RESULTS: TE13R120 cells were showed significantly radioresistance compared with TE13. The D0, Dq, and N value of TE13R120 were all higher than those of TE13 (2.499, 1.991, and 2.219 vs. 2.242, 0.854, and 1.645), as well as SF2 (0.734 vs. 0.538). Results of immunofluorescences showed that NRAGE was mainly expressed in the nucleus of TE13R120 cells, but in TE13 cells, it was mainly in cytoplasm. In addition, EMT phenotype was observed in TE13R120 cells and TGF-ß-induced EMT in TE13 cells, E-cadherin expression was decreased, but vimentin was upregulated. Furthermore, TE13 cells have a rising tendency in NRAGE nucleus expression after treatment with TGF-ß. Results of wound healing assay showed that the cell migration of TE13R120 and TGF-ß-induced EMT in TE13 cells were remarkably enhanced. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that NRAGE subcellular localization is related to radiation resistance of esophageal carcinoma cell and EMT may be involved in NRAGE subcellular location.

Evaluating of simulated carbon flux phenology over a cropland ecosystem in a semiarid area of China with SiBcrop.

The cropland ecosystem in semiarid areas is sensitive to climate change. The accurate representation of crop phenology is important for predicting the carbon and water exchange process. The performance of a newly developed phenological model (SiBcrop) for simulations of carbon flux phenology in a semiarid area ecosystem was evaluated. The results showed that the SiBcrop improved the prediction for daily maximum gross primary production (GPP), and the days GPP reached the maximum value were closer to the observation, compared to SiB3. SiBcrop had a better prediction for both monthly total net ecosystem exchange (NEE) in the growing season than in the dormant season in semiarid areas. The day when the cumulative NEE predicted with SiBcrop became positive was closer to the observation. The observed start date of carbon uptake (CUstart) had a larger annual variation than did the end date of carbon uptake (CUend). SiBcrop had a better prediction for CUstart but poor for CUend, compared to SiB3. There was a longer carbon uptake period (CUP) predicted with SiBcrop than the observed results.

Water and carbon dioxide fluxes over an alpine meadow in southwest China and the impact of a spring drought event.

Based on the eddy covariance measurements from June 2011 to December 2013, the seasonal variations and the controls of water and CO2 fluxes were investigated over an alpine meadow in Lijiang, southwest China. The year 2012 had the largest total precipitation among years from 2011 to 2013 (1037.9, 1190.4, and 1066.1 mm, respectively). A spring drought event occurred from March to May 2012, and the peak normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in 2012 was the lowest. Throughout the whole year, net radiation (Rn), vapor pressure deficit, and air temperature (Ta) were the primary controls on evapotranspiration (ET), and R n is the most important factor. The influence of R n on ET was much more in the wet season (R(2) = 0.93) than in the dry season (R(2) = 0.28). In the wet season, the ratio of ET to equilibrium ET (ETeq) (0.92 ± 0.14; mean ± S.D.) did not show a clear seasonal pattern with NDVI when the soil water content (SWC) was usually more than 0.25 m(3) m(-3), indicating that ET could be predicted well by ETeq (or radiation and temperature). On half-hourly and daily scales, photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) and air temperature were the main meteorological factors in determining the net ecosystem production (NEP). The seasonal trends of NEP were closely related with the change of NDVI. The integrated NEP in the 2012 wet season (157.8 g C m(-2) year(-1)) was 19.5 and 23.8 % lower than in the 2011 and 2013 wet season (207.0 and 196.1 g C m(-2) year(-1)). The mean ET/ETeq for each of the wet seasons from 2011 to 2013 was 0.88. The 2012 spring drought and its reduction in NDVI decreased the total NEP significantly but had little effect on the total ET in the wet season. The different response of NEP and ET to the spring drought was attributed to the high SWC and small vapor pressure deficit during the wet season.

Ni(II)/Zn catalyzed reductive coupling of aryl halides with diphenylphosphine oxide in water.

P-Arylation in water has been developed via cross-coupling of aryl halides with diphenylphosphine oxide (Ph(2)P(O)H) and (R(P))-(-)-menthyl benzylphosphinate catalyzed by NiCl(2)·6H(2)O/Zn under relatively mild conditions.

Relationship between NRAGE and the radioresistance of esophageal carcinoma cell line TE13R120.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The mRNA levels of 59 genes, detected by cDNA microarray, were up-regulated in the radioresistant human esophageal cacinoma cell line TE13R120 as compared with its parental cell line TE13 before and after radiation, and the expression of NRAGE gene showed a gradually up-regulating tendency. This study aimed to further detect the differences of NRAGE gene and protein expression and apoptosis between TE13R120 and TE13 cells, and to investigate the relationship between the NRAGE and the radioresistance of TE13R120 cells and its mechanism. METHODS: The two cell lines were irradiated by 6°Co γ-ray at different conditions. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunocytochemistry were used to detect the expression of NRAGE. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the cell apoptosis before and after irradiation. RESULTS: The mRNA level of NRAGE was higher in TE13R120 cells than in TE13 cells before and after irradiation (before radiation: 0.25 ± 0.03 vs. 0.49 ± 0.03; 4 Gy 4 h: 0.31 ± 0.03 vs. 0.53 ± 0.02; 4 Gy 16 h: 0.32 ± 0.04 vs. 0.59 ± 0.04; 4 Gy 24 h: 0.36 ± 0.05 vs. 0.72 ± 0.04; 2 Gy 12 h: 0.32 ± 0.02 vs. 0.64 ± 0.04; 6 Gy 12 h: 0.36 ± 0.02 vs. 0.79 ± 0.05; 10 Gy 12 h: 0.46 ± 0.04 vs. 0.85 ± 0.01; P < 0.01), and the mRNA level of NRAGE was increased gradually with the increase of radiation dose and time in the two cell lines (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). Western blot results showed no difference of NRAGE protein level in cytoplasm between TE13R120 cells and TE13 cells before and after irradiation, but its level in nuclei was higher in TE13R120 cells than in TE13 cells at different radiation time and dosages. Immunocytochemistry showed similar results as Western blot. FCM showed no significant difference in apoptosis rate between TE13R120 and TE13 cells before and after radiation. CONCLUSION: NRAGE may play an important role in the radiation responses of the two cell lines, and may participate in the formation of radioresistance of TE13R120 cells by changing its subcellular localization, but its relationship with cell apoptosis has not been confirmed.

A rice serine carboxypeptidase-like gene OsBISCPL1 is involved in regulation of defense responses against biotic and oxidative stress.

Serine carboxypeptidase-like proteins (SCPLs) comprise a large family of protein hydrolyzing enzymes that play roles in multiple cellular processes. During the course of study aimed at elucidating the molecular basis of induced immunity in rice, a gene, OsBISCPL1, encoding a putative SCPL, was isolated and identified. OsBISCPL1 contains a conserved peptidase S10 domain, serine active site and a signal peptide at N-terminus. OsBISCPL1 is expressed ubiquitously in rice, including roots, stems, leaves and spikes. Expression of OsBISCPL1 in leaves was significantly up-regulated after treatments with benzothiadiazole, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and 1-amino cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, and also up-regulated in incompatible interactions between rice and the blast fungus, Magnaporthe grisea. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants with constitutive expression of OsBISCPL1 were generated and disease resistance assays indicated that the OsBISCPL1-overexpressing plants showed an enhanced disease resistance against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and Alternaria brassicicola. Expression levels of defense-related genes, e.g. PR1, PR2, PR5 and PDF1.2, were constitutively up-regulated in transgenic plants as compared with those in wild-type plants. Furthermore, the OsBISCPL1-overexpressing plants also showed an increased tolerance to oxidative stress and up-regulated expression of oxidative stress-related genes. The results suggest that the OsBISCPL1 may be involved in regulation of defense responses against pathogen infection and oxidative stress.

Functional analysis reveals pleiotropic effects of rice RING-H2 finger protein gene OsBIRF1 on regulation of growth and defense responses against abiotic and biotic stresses.

RING finger proteins comprise a large family and play key roles in regulating growth/developmental processes, hormone signaling and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. A rice gene, OsBIRF1, encoding a putative RING-H2 finger protein, was cloned and identified. OsBIRF1 encodes a 396 amino acid protein belonging to the ATL family characterized by a conserved RING-H2 finger domain (C-X2-C-X15-C-X1-H-X2-H-X2-C-X10-C-X2-C), a transmembrane domain at the N-terminal, a basic amino acid rich region and a characteristic GLD region. Expression of OsBIRF1 was up-regulated in rice seedlings after treatment with benzothaidiazole, salicylic acid, l-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid and jasmonic acid, and was induced differentially in incompatible but not compatible interactions between rice and Magnaporthe grisea, the causal agent of blast disease. Transgenic tobacco plants that constitutively express OsBIRF1 exhibit enhanced disease resistance against tobacco mosaic virus and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci and elevated expression levels of defense-related genes, e.g. PR-1, PR-2, PR-3 and PR-5. The OsBIRF1-overexpressing transgenic tobacco plants show increased oxidative stress tolerance to exogenous treatment with methyl viologen and H2O2, and up-regulate expression of oxidative stress-related genes. Reduced ABA sensitivity in root elongation and increased drought tolerance in seed germination were also observed in OsBIRF1 transgenic tobacco plants. Furthermore, the transgenic tobacco plants show longer roots and higher plant heights as compared with the wild-type plants, suggesting that overexpression of OsBIRF1 promote plant growth. These results demonstrate that OsBIRF1 has pleiotropic effects on growth and defense response against multiple abiotic and biotic stresses.