Genetic Engineering for Enhancing Sugarcane Tolerance to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses.

Sugarcane, a vital cash crop, contributes significantly to the world's sugar supply and raw materials for biofuel production, playing a significant role in the global sugar industry. However, sustainable productivity is severely hampered by biotic and abiotic stressors. Genetic engineering has been used to transfer useful genes into sugarcane plants to improve desirable traits and has emerged as a basic and applied research method to maintain growth and productivity under different adverse environmental conditions. However, the use of transgenic approaches remains contentious and requires rigorous experimental methods to address biosafety challenges. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) mediated genome editing technology is growing rapidly and may revolutionize sugarcane production. This review aims to explore innovative genetic engineering techniques and their successful application in developing sugarcane cultivars with enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses to produce superior sugarcane cultivars.

Effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine Ping Chuan Ke Li for the management of mild/moderate persistent asthma.

This study assessed the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal medicine Ping Chuan Ke Li (PCKL) for the treatment of patients with mild/ moderate persistent asthma.A total of 108 eligible patients with persistent asthma were included and were divided into a treatment group and a control group in this retrospective study. All 108 patients underwent oral montelukast. Additionally, subjects in the treatment group also received PCKL therapy. All patients in both groups were treated for a total of 1 month. The primary outcome of lung function was evaluated by the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC). The secondary outcome of quality of life was assessed by St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Moreover, adverse events (AEs) were also recorded in this study. All outcome measurements were assessed after 1-month treatment.After 1-month treatment, patients in the treatment group did not demonstrate better outcome in the improvement of lung function, measured by FEV1 (P =.57, table 2), and FEV1/FVC (P =.29); and enhancement of quality of life, measured by SGRQ scale (total, P =.37; symptom, P =.32; activity, P =.39; impact, P =.83). In addition, no AEs differ between 2 groups.The results of this study showed that Chinese herbal PCKL may not benefit for patients with mild/moderate persistent asthma after 1-month treatment.

Evolution of KRAB-containing zinc finger proteins and their roles in species evolution.

The C2H2 zinc finger protein family, one of the largest families of transcription factor/transcriptional regulator in mammal, arose from a small ancestral group of eukaryotic zinc finger transcription factors through many repeated gene duplications accompanied by functional divergence. As the biggest subfamily of C2H2 zinc finger protein family, Kruppel-associated box-containing zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs) appeared at the period oftetrapod, expand rapidly along with species evolution, and take about 60% of the total C2H2 zinc finger proteins in human. During species evolution, the DNA binding ability of KRAB-ZFPs is changed while the KRAB-ZFPs-mediate transcriptional repression ability maintains stable under the evolution pressure. Moreover, multiple KRAB-ZFPs function synergistically with KAP1 on transcriptional silencing of retroelements, and the coevolution between KRAB-ZFPs and target retrotransposons restrict the jumping ability of the retroelements. In this review, we summarize the roles of KRAB-ZFPs duplication, the flexibility of zinc finger structure, transcriptional repression of KRAB-ZFPs/KAP1 and retroelement "jump" in promoting the divergence in regulatory network, stable genome change and species evolution, in order to reveal the characters and functions of KRAB-ZFPs in driving species evolution stably.

[Application and Thinking of Constitution Theory of Chinese Medicine in Stable Phase Chronic Ob- structive Pulmonary Disease].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease, but seriously threatens to patients' body and mind. Constitutions of Chinese medicine (CM) are closely relat- ed to diseases. Individuals with different constitutions of CM have different responses to the same envi- ronment and the same pathogenic factor. Therefore, studying the application of constitution theory of CM in stable phase COPD is of great significance. In this paper clinical applications of constitution theory of CM in COPD were explored from etiology and mechanism, syndrome typing based treatment, prevention and care, aiming to prevent, diagnose, and treat COPD effectively.

3.0 T conventional hip MR and hip MR arthrography for the acetabular labral tears confirmed by arthroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of hip MR for diagnosing acetabular labrum tears, and to further compare the diagnostic performances of conventional MR with MR arthrography in acetabular labrum tears. METHODS: 90 patients undergoing both hip MR examination and subsequent hip arthroscopy were retrospectively evaluated. Of these patients, 34 accepted both conventional MR and MR arthrography; while the other 56 only underwent conventional MR examination. All hip MR images were independently reviewed by two radiologists, and further compared with the results of hip arthroscopy. RESULTS: 59 of 90 patients were confirmed with acetabular labral tears by hip arthroscopy and 31 without tears. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of conventional MR for evaluating the acetabular labral tears were 61.0%, 77.4%, 83.7% and 51.1% (radiologist A), and 66.1%, 74.2%, 82.9% and 53.4% (radiologist B), respectively, with good consistency between the two observers (K=0.645). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of MR arthrography for assessing the acetabular labral tears were 90.5%, 84.6%, 90.5% and 84.6% (radiologist A), and 95.2%, 84.6%, 90.9% and 91.7% (radiologist B), respectively, with excellent good consistency between the two observers (K=0.810). The sensitivity and NPV of MR arthrography for diagnosing the acetabular labral tears were significantly higher than those of conventional MR (both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Hip MR arthrography is a reliable evaluation modality for diagnosing the acetabular labral tears, and its diagnostic performance is superior to that of conventional MR at 3.0 T.

The added value of ABER position for the detection and classification of anteroinferior labroligamentous lesions in MR arthrography of the shoulder.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare MR arthrography in abduction and external rotation (ABER) position with conventional MR arthrography in neutral position for the detection and further classification of anteroinferior labroligamentous lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-nine cases of shoulder MR arthrography with subsequent arthroscopy were retrospectively evaluated. All MR arthrograms in ABER position and neutral position were independently assessed by two radiologists who were blinded to the arthroscopic findings. Sensitivities and specificities of both positions for detection and further categorization of anteroinferior labroligamentous lesions were calculated and compared using paired McNemar test. K values were calculated to quantify the level of interobserver agreement. RESULTS: At arthroscopy, 24 Bankart lesions, 59 ALPSA lesions, 39 Perthes lesions, 8 GLAD lesions, 4 ALIPSA lesions, 31 nonclassifiable lesions and 60 intact anteroinferior complexes were found. The sensitivity of MR arthrography in ABER position for detecting anteroinferior labroligamentous lesions was significantly higher than that of in neutral position (92.7-94.5% versus 81.8-83%, P<0.05). For the detection rate of the mentioned 6 subtypes of lesions, only the Perthes lesions had significant improvement in ABER position when compared with conventional MR arthrography (observer 1, 61.5-87.2%, P=0.006; observer 2, 69.2-92.3%, P=0.004). MR arthrography in ABER position was more effective in identifying of Perthes lesions (66.7-74.4% versus 35.9-40%, P<0.05) while the conventional MR arthrography was more effective in accurate diagnose of ALPSA lesions (74.6-78.0% versus 54.2-55.9%, P<0.05). No statistically significant difference of the diagnostic accuracy was found between the two positions for Bankart lesions, GLAD lesions, and ALIPSA lesions. CONCLUSION: MR arthrography in ABER position has more added value on detection of Perthes lesions in evaluation of anteroinferior labroligamentous complex tear.

An anatomical study of normal meniscal roots with isotropic 3D MRI at 3T.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the morphological features of normal meniscal roots on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with an isotropic 3D proton density-weighted (PDW) sequence. MATERIALS: 3D PDW MR was performed in sixty-two patients at 3T before knee arthroscopy. MR images of 34 normal medial menisci and 33 intact lateral menisci confirmed by arthroscopy were retrospectively evaluated. MR signals, insertion sites, dimensions and courses of four meniscal roots were recorded. RESULTS: The anterior root of medial meniscus (ARMM) was typically hypointense, while the posterior root of medial meniscus (PRMM) and the anterior root of lateral meniscus (ARLM) were prone to be hyperintense or showing a comblike signal, and the posterior root of lateral meniscus (PRLM) was usually hypointense or comblike on PDW MR images. ARMM and PRLM had more complex and diverse insertion patterns than ARLM and PRMM. There were significant statistical differences of the lengths, widths, heights and course angles among four meniscal roots (all P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The signal intensity of each meniscal root can be hypointense, hyperintense, or comblike on 3D PDW MR images. ARMM and PRLM have more complex and diverse insertion patterns than ARLM and PRMM. The dimensions and courses of four meniscal roots all differ.

Glenoid bone lesions: comparison between 3D VIBE images in MR arthrography and nonarthrographic MSCT.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of using a fat-suppressed 3D volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) sequence in magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography as a substitute for nonarthrographic multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in detecting glenoid bone lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fat-suppressed 3D VIBE MR arthrography and MSCT were performed in 56 patients (46 male, 10 female; age range, 14-51 years; mean age, 26 years). Based on the results of MSCT, the sensitivity and specificity of fat-suppressed 3D VIBE images for detection of bony Bankart lesion and glenoid bone loss were determined. Statistical significance of the percentages of glenoid bone loss between these two methods was calculated. RESULTS: Bony Bankart lesions were noted in 23 (41.1%) of 56 glenohumeral joints, and glenoid bone loss was found in 40 (71.4%) of 56 patients at nonarthrographic MSCT. Compared with MSCT, the sensitivity and specificity of fat-suppressed 3D VIBE images in detecting bony Bankart lesions were 95.7%-100% and 93.9%-97.0%, respectively (kappa value = 0.926), and those in predicting glenoid bone loss were 95.0% and 93.8%, respectively. For quantification of glenoid bone loss, there was a high correlation between fat-suppressed 3D VIBE and MSCT (r = 0.921, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Fat-suppressed 3D VIBE MR arthrography is a promising substitute for MSCT as a reliable method for evaluating bony Bankart lesion and glenoid bone loss.

Tetra-aqua-diazido-cobalt(II) 3,3'-dicarb-oxy-l-ato-1,1'-ethyl-enedipyridinium.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Co(N(3))(2)(H(2)O)(4)]·C(14)H(12)N(2)O(4), comprises half of the cobalt(II) complex mol-ecule and a half of the 3,3'-dicarboxyl-ato-1,1'-ethyl-enedipyridinium mol-ecule. The Co(II) atom is located on an inversion centre and hence the complex mol-ecule adopts a centrosymmetric trans-octa-hedral geometry. The zwitterionic organic mol-ecule is also centrosymmetric with the centre of the C-C bond of the ethyl-ene moiety coinciding with an inversion centre. The adduct of metal complex and organic mol-ecule is associated into a three-dimenional network through O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

[Progress in regulation of activity and stability of ubiquitin protein ligase MDM2].

The ubiquitin protein ligase (E3) MDM2 (Murine double minute 2) possesses oncogenic activities. Overexpression of this protein enhances degradation and inactivation of the tumor suppressor p53. At least 7% of all human tumors exhibit inappropriate amplification of mdm2, whereas p53 gene remains in its wild-type configuration. This indicates that MDM2 may function in the p53-independent manner to promote tumorigenesis. Considering the critical role of MDM2, this review summarizes the current mechanisms and progress on MDM2 regulation in levels of gene control, mRNA transcription, post-translational modification, and interaction proteins.

Solvent-modulated metamagnetism in a nickel(ii) coordination polymer with mixed azide and carboxylate bridges.

A novel 2D coordination polymer consisting of ferromagnetic Ni(ii) chains with alternating double EO-azide bridges and (EO-azide)bis(carboxylate) triple bridges exhibits solvent-modulated metamagnetism, and the reversible dehydration/hydration processes are accompanied by significant changes in critical temperature, critical field and hysteresis.

A novel manganese(II) coordination polymer with azide and neutral dicarboxylate ligands: helical structure and magnetic properties.

By using a neutral inner-salt-type dicarboxylate as coligand, a novel two-dimensional (2D) manganese(II) coordination polymer, [Mn(L)(N(3))]ClO(4) x 1/2 H(2)O (L = 1,3-bis(3-carboxylatopyridinium)propane), was synthesized, and characterized by X-ray crystallography and magnetic measurements. The compound contains uniform Mn(II) chains with simultaneous azide and carboxylate bridges between adjacent Mn(II) ions. The formally negative chains are interlinked by the positively-charged 1,3-bis(pyridinium)propane spacer, and the spiral conformation of the spacer imports intriguing helical features to the resulting 2D network, in which [MnL] helices are connected by sharing metal centers with alternating centro- and C(2)-symmetry. The triple (azide)bis(carboxylate) bridge mediates overall antiferromagnetic coupling with J = -3.0 cm(-1), as a result of the competition between the antiferromagnetic (carboxylate) and ferromagnetic (azide) pathways.

ROLLED LEAF 9, encoding a GARP protein, regulates the leaf abaxial cell fate in rice.

Leaves, the collective organ produced by the shoot apical meristem (SAM), are polarized along their adaxial-abaxial axis. In this study, we characterized two rice (Oryza sativa) allelic rolled-leaf mutants, rolled leaf 9-1 (rl9-1) and rl9-2, which display very similar phenotypes with completely adaxialized leaves and malformed spikelets. We cloned the RL9 gene by way of a map-based cloning strategy. Molecular studies have revealed that RL9 encodes a GARP protein, an orthologue of Arabidopsis KANADIs. RL9 is mainly expressed in roots, leaves, and flowers. The transient expression of a RL9-GFP (green fluorescent protein) fusion protein has indicated that RL9 protein is localized in the nucleus, suggesting that RL9 acts as a putative transcription factor.

[Progress in the study of histone methyltransferases].

Site- and state-specific lysine methylation of histones is catalyzed by a family of proteins including those contain the evolutionarily conserved SET domain. Research on histone methyltransferases is a part of epigenetics, which plays a fundamental role in heterochromatin formation, X-chromosome inactivation and transcription regulation. Aberrant histone methylation was linked to a number of developmental disorders and human disease including several carcinomas. Histone lysine methylation is a functionally complex process, as it can either activate or repress transcription, depending on sequence-specific lysine methylation site in histones. Non-histone proteins were found to be methylated by SET domain-containing histone methyltransferases whose primary targets were presumed to be histones. The researches on histone methyltransferases will make a completely new space for transcriptional activity, embryonic development, cell differentiation, and signal transduction.

[Progress in the study of KRAB zinc finger protein].

The zinc finger proteins containing the Kruppel-associated box domain (KRAB) constitute the largest single family of transcriptional regulators in mammals. Many genes encoding members of this family are arranged in clusters. KRAB-containing proteins are characterized by the presence of 4 and over 30 C2H2 zinc-finger motifs and a KRAB domain near the amino terminus of the protein. KRAB domain behaving as a protein-protein interaction domain could bind to corepressor proteins and/or transcription factors, and that the KRAB-containing proteins could act as a repressor or corepressor and play a key role in transcriptional repression. Members of the family are involved in embryonic development, cell differentiation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, neoplastic transformation and cell cycle regulation.

[The binding sites of estrogen receptor for miyabenol C and kobophenol A].

To examine the binding sites of miyabenol C (Miy C) and kobophenol A ( Kob A) with estrogen receptor (ER), computer modeling was applied to determine 3D structure of Miy C and Kob A. Molecular docking of the components to ER was carried out to find the binding sites between them. PCR mutagenesis was used to change the structure of ER cDNA. After the mutated sites were confirmed by DNA sequencing, report gene assay was used to study the effects of Miy C and Kob A on the trans-activating ability of ER. Results indicated that the effect of Miy C on the trans-activating ability of mutant 1 of ER [M1ER (ER M(517)AG(521)D)] was decreased, and Kob A had no stimulating effects on the trans-activating ability of M1ER. Miy C and Kob A had no stimulating effects on the trans-activating ability of mutant 2 of ER [M2ER (ER E(353)GR(394)G)]. Therefore, the ER sites for Miy C and Kob A may be located at Glu(353), Arg(394), Met(517) and Gly(521).

Assessment of estrogenic activity of natural compounds using improved E-screen assay.

AIM: To improve E-screen assay and make it more accurate to screen estrogenic compounds. METHODS: Estrogen receptor antisense RNA expression plasmid (pCASER) was constructed and introduced into MCF-7 with lipofectAMINE(TM), and positive clones were screened out with G418. PCR amplification was employed to identify whether estrogen receptor (ER) cDNA fragment had been inserted into MCF-7 cell genomes. Western blot was applied to detect the expression of ER. Cell growth was determined by MTT assay. RESULTS: One ER antisense clone (MTASER) had been screened out. The effects of 17beta-estradiol, genistein, droloxifen, miyabenol C, and kobophenol A on MCF-7 were stronger than those effects on MTASER. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) had equivalent stimulatory effects on the proliferation of MCF-7 and MTASER. CONCLUSION: The improved E-screen assay could screen estrogenic compounds more accurately than original E-screen assay did.