Non-linear genetic diversity and notable population differentiation caused by low gene flow of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] along longitude gradients.

BACKGROUND: Environmental variation related to ecological habitat is the main driver of plant adaptive divergence. Longitude plays an important role in the formation of plant population structure, indicating that environmental differentiation can significantly shape population structure. METHODS: Genetic diversity and population genetic structure were estimated using 105 expressed sequence tag-derived simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) loci. A total of 249 C. dactylon (L.) Pers. (common bermudagrass) individuals were sampled from 13 geographic sites along the longitude (105°57'34″-119°27'06″E). RESULTS: There was no obvious linear trend of intra-population genetic diversity along longitude and the intra-population genetic diversity was not related to climate in this study. Low gene flow (Nm = 0.7701) meant a rich genetic differentiation among populations of C. dactylon along longitude gradients. Significantly positive Mantel correlation (r = 0.438, P = 0.001) was found between genetic distance and geographical interval while no significant partial Mantel correlation after controlling the effect of mean annual precipitation, which indicated geographic distance correlated with mean annual precipitation affect genetic distance. The genetic diversity of C. dactylon with higher ploidy level was higher than that with lower ploidy level and groups of individuals with higher ploidy level were separated further away by genetic distance from the lower ploidy levels. Understanding the different genetic bases of local adaptation comparatively between latitude and longitude is one of the core findings in the adaptive evolution of plants.

Morphological variation in Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., and its relationship with the environment along a longitudinal gradient.

BACKGROUND: Geographical variation in morphological traits may reflect evolutionary patterns of morphological adaptability along environmental gradients. Comprehensive information on longitudinal patterns of morphological trait variation is very meaningful to explore morphological diversity and evolutionary trends in widespread bermudagrass. METHODS: To explore the spatial patterns of morphological traits, we investigated 10 morphological traits of bermudagrass and 10 soil nutrient indexes and collected local climate data for 13 different regions from 119°E to 105°E along the latitude 34°N. RESULTS: Considerable variations in morphological traits were observed at different longitudes, and the variations in most of the evaluated traits within populations were lower than those among populations. All of the 13 different longitudinal sites were divided into three groups based on morphological traits by cluster analysis. The major sources of diversity at the different longitudes were leaf length of the erect shoot, leaf width of the erect shoot, and the internode lengths of the erect shoot and stolon as determined by principal component analysis. Pearson correlation analysis also indicated that longitude was significantly and negatively correlated with these traits as well. Mean average rainfall was significantly correlated with leaf length of the erect shoot and the internode lengths of the erect shoot and stolon, while mean average temperature was only significantly correlated with internode length of the erect shoots. Available sulfur was significantly correlated with internode length of the erect shoot, plant height, and reproductive branch height, while the exchangeable Ca was significantly correlated with internode lengths of the erect shoot and stolon. Soil pH was significantly correlated with the internode length of the stolon. Longitude is an important factor that affects morphological trait variation in wild bermudagrass, and the leaves of the erect shoot and the internode length enlarged significantly with the collection sites moving from east to west. CONCLUSION: Different combinations and interactions of environmental factors (soil and climate) along a longitudinal gradient may have strong effects on one or more morphological traits of bermudagrass.

ARPC4 promotes bladder cancer cell invasion and is associated with lymph node metastasis.

The significance of actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 4 (ARPC4) expression in bladder cancer, and its potential role in the invasion and migration of bladder cancer cells, has yet to be determined. This study was to identify the correlation between ARPC4 and lymph node metastasis, and to determine the role of ARPC4 in the invasive migration of T24 bladder cancer cells. One hundred and ninety-eight bladder cancer tissues and 40 normal bladder and lymph node tissues were examined. Tissue microarrays were constructed and subjected to immunohistochemical stating for ARPC4. Multiple logistic analysis was used to determine risk factors associated with bladder cancer metastasis. ARPC4 expression in T24 bladder cancer cells was suppressed using small interfering RNA and changes in protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis. The proliferation of bladder cancer cells after knocking down of ARPC4 was determined by cell counting kit-8. The effects of ARPC4 knockdown on T24 cell invasion and migration was determined using transwell and wound healing assays. Immunofluorescence analysis was performed to examine changes in pseudopodia formation and actin cytoskeleton structure. The expression of ARPC4 was elevated in bladder cancer tissues than normal tissues (84.3% vs 27.5%, P < 0.001). The multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that the level of ARPC4, as a risk factor, was correlated with lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.05). ARPC4 knockdown attenuated proliferation, migration, invasion, and pseudopodia formation in T24 cells. ARPC4 expression, as a risk factor, is associated with lymphatic metastasis and is upregulated in bladder cancer tissues in comparison with normal tissues. Inhibition of ARPC4 expression significantly attenuates the proliferation, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer cell, possibly due to defects in pseudopodia formation.

Upregulation of Arp2 expression is associated with the prognosis and prediction of lymph node metastasis in bladder urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Upregulation of actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 2 (Arp2) is observed in various tumors, but its expression pattern has not been revealed in bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Arp2 expression in the pathological features and the prognosis as well as lymph node metastasis of BUC. METHODS: A total of 228 tissue specimens from BUC patients who underwent a radical cystectomy were collected. In addition, 40 lymph node specimens and 40 normal bladder tissue specimens as controls were used. All of the specimens were used to construct a tissue microarray and were subsequently subjected to immunohistochemical staining for Arp2 expression. Logistic and Cox regression analyses and Kaplan-Meier curve analysis were applied to analyze the relation between Arp2 expression and multiple clinical features of patients with BUC. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining observation showed that Arp2 was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of positive cells and that Arp2 expression in BUC was significantly higher than that in normal bladder tissues. Arp2 expression in BUC tissues was associated with tumor size, tumor multiplicity, tumor stage, tumor grade, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that Arp2 expression was an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis of BUC (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that increased Arp2 expression was associated with a shortened recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of BUC patients after radical cystectomy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Arp2 is significantly upregulated in BUC tissues when compared with normal bladder tissues, and that Arp2 expression is an independent predictor for lymph node metastasis, RFS, and OS.

Fasudil inhibits proliferation and collagen synthesis and induces apoptosis of human fibroblasts derived from urethral scar via the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway.

Fasudil has shown antifibrotic effects in various fibrotic diseases. However, its effects on human urethral fibroblasts are unknown. This study evaluated the effects of fasudil on cellular proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and collagen synthesis in human fibroblasts derived from urethral scar tissues. Human urethral scar fibroblasts were cultured by explant and incubated for 24 h or 48 h with fasudil (12.5, 25, 50 µmol/L) with or without transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1, 10 ng/mL), or left untreated (control). Cell proliferation and migration was determined by MTT assay and Transwell chambers, respectively. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), myosin light-chain phosphatase (MLCP), LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1), phospho-cofilin (p-cofilin), collagen I, and collagen III were determined by Western blot. Compared with the control group, TGF-ß1 was associated with a significant increase in urethral fibroblast proliferation and migration, and α-SMA, MLCP, LIMK1, p-cofilin, collagen I, and collagen III levels. Compared with the control group, fasudil (with or without TGF-ß1), significantly and negatively correlated, in a dose-dependent manner, with the proliferation and migration of urethral fibroblasts, as well as α-SMA, MLCP, LIMK1, p-cofilin, collagen I, and collagen III levels. Moreover, fasudil significantly induced apoptosis of fibroblasts induced by TGF-ß1. Higher concentrations of fasudil (50 µmol/L) were associated with greater cell apoptosis without TGF-ß1 stimulation compared with the normal control group. Fasudil, with or without TGF-ß1 stimulation, may inhibit human urethral fibroblasts proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and collagen synthesis via the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway.

[Risk factors of ISUP Modified Gleason score upgrading after radical prostatectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors upgrading the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Gleason score using the specimens from preoperative prostatic biopsy and radical prostatectomy. METHODS: A total of 164 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer by biopsy underwent radical prostatectomy. We retrospectively analyzed their age, prostate volume, preoperative PSA level, PSA density (PSAD) , the time interval between biopsy and surgery, the number of positive punctures, positive surgical margin, seminal vesicle invasion, lymphatic invasion, and Gleason scores from biopsy and prostatectomy. We also determined the predictors of Gleason score upgrading by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 164 cases analyzed, 95 (57.93% ) showed a consistency between the Gleason score of preoperative prostatic biopsy and that after radical prostatectomy, 55 (33.54% ) increased and 14 (8.52%) decreased after prostatectomy as compared with preoperative biopsy. The prostate volume (P < 0.01) and biopsy score (P < 0.05) were independent predictors of Gleason score upgrading. The risk of Gleason score upgrading was 27 times higher in the patients with the prostate volume ≤ 25 ml and 9 times higher in the 25-40 ml group than in the > 60 ml group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Low Gleason score of biopsy (≤ 6) and small prostate volume (≤ 40 ml) may be the predictors of Gleason score upgrading after radical prostatectomy.

Large-sized bilateral axillary artery aneurysms in a patient with marfan syndrome: a case report.

A 46-year-old man presented with large bilateral aneurysm of the axillary arteries combined with Marfan syndrome. Treatment consisted of axillary aneurysm resection and vessel replacement. Postoperative computed tomographic angiography confirmed good flow in the bilateral axillary artery, and the patient recovered without complication.

[Clinical selection of endovascular stenting and carotid endarterectomy in treatment of carotid artery stenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore reasonable clinical decision in treating carotid artery stenosis under different conditions. METHODS: The data of 133 carotid artery stenosis patients were retrospectively analyzed. Of the patients, 46 cases were treated with carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS), 87 patients received carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The length of hospital stay and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) grade before and after treatment in both groups were observed; the forward flow were assessed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) before and after treatment; the degree of carotid artery stenosis were determined by using ultrasound during 3 to 24 months after treatment in both groups; the cumulative incidence of major cardiovascular events was concentrated, including appearance of death, stroke or myocardial infarction during 30 days after CAS and CEA and death or homonymy stroke during 31 days to 2 years. RESULTS: Significant difference was found in hospital stay and when NIHSS exceed 20 after treatment between the two groups (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference in the forward flow before and after treatment in both groups; the carotid artery stenosis had been improved significantly after the operation in both groups; the cumulative incidence of major cardiovascular events in CEA group was significantly higher than in CAS group in 30 days after the operation (P < 0.05), but no statistical difference in 31 days to 2 years after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: CAS and CEA has equivalent effects in treating carotid artery stenosis, and should be selected according to the location of stenosis, etiological factors and the condition of opposite carotid artery.