Genome-Wide Identification of the TGA Gene Family and Expression Analysis under Drought Stress in Brassica napus L.

TGA transcription factors belong to Group D of the bZIP transcription factors family and play vital roles in the stress response of plants. Brassica napus is an oil crop with rich economic value. However, a systematic analysis of TGA gene family members in B. napus has not yet been reported. In this study, we identified 39 full-length TGA genes in B. napus, renamed TGA1~TGA39. Thirty-nine BnTGA genes were distributed on 18 chromosomes, mainly located in the nucleus, and differences were observed in their 3D structures. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 39 BnTGA genes could be divided into five groups. The BnTGA genes in the same group had similar structure and motif compositions, and all the BnTGA genes had the same conserved bZIP and DOG1 domains. Phylogenetic and synteny analysis showed that the BnTGA genes had a close genetic relationship with the TGA genes of the Brassica juncea, and BnTGA11 and BnTGA29 may play an important role in evolution. In addition, qRT-PCR revealed that three genes (BnTGA14/17/23) showed significant changes in eight experimental materials after drought treatment. Meanwhile, it can be inferred from the results of drought treatment on different varieties of rapeseed that the stress tolerance of parental rapeseed can be transmitted to the offspring through hybridization. In short, these findings have promoted the understanding of the B. napus TGA gene family and will contribute to future research aimed at B. napus resistant breeding.

Insights into accumulation of active ingredients and rhizosphere microorganisms between Salvia miltiorrhiza and S. castanea.

Salvia miltiorrhiza is an important traditional herbal medicine, and its extracts could be used for treating cardiovascular disease. Although these medicinal compounds are functionally similar, their wild relative, S. castanea, produces significantly different concentrations of these compounds. The reason for their differences is still unknown. In a series of soil and plant-based analyses, we explored and compared the rhizosphere microbiome of S. miltiorrhiza and S. castanea. To further investigate the geographical distribution of S. castanea, MaxEnt models were used to predict the future suitable habitat areas of S. castanea in China. Results revealed the distributions and structure of the rhizosphere microbial community of S. miltiorrhiza and S. castanea at different times. In addition, differences in altitude and soil moisture resulting from changes in climate and geographical location are also critical environmental factors in the distribution of S. castanea. The findings of this study increase our understanding of plant adaptation to their geographical environment through secondary metabolites. It also highlights the complex interplay between rhizospheric factors and plant metabolism, which provides the theoretical basis for the cultivation of S. miltiorrhiza and the use of S. castanea resources.

Analysis of WAK Genes in Nine Cruciferous Species with a Focus on Brassica napus L.

The wall-associated kinase family contributes to plant cell elongation and pathogen recognition. Nine Cruciferous species were studied for identification and molecular evolution of the WAK gene family. Firstly, 178 WAK genes were identified. A phylogenetic tree was constructed of the Cruciferous WAK proteins into four categories, of which the Brassica rapa, Brassica oleracea and Brassica napus genes in the U's triangle were more closely related. The WAK gene family was unevenly distributed in B. napus chromosomal imaging, with the largest number of BnWAK genes located on chromosome C08. In the expression analysis, the expression patterns of the WAK gene family varied under different stress treatments, and some members of BnWAKs were significantly different under stress treatments. This study lays a foundation for further revealing the functional mechanisms of the WAK gene family in Brassica napus.

Plasma D-dimer as a potential predictor of progression in IgA nephropathy: a cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Coagulation disorders play a key role in chronic kidney disease, and the formation or elevation of plasma D-dimer levels reflects activation of the coagulation system. However, its relationship with the severity and progression of kidney disease in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) remains unclear. METHODS: We assessed 1818 patients with IgAN diagnosed between 2002 and 2019 at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Plasma D-dimer levels were measured at the time of the renal biopsy. The association between plasma D-dimer levels and kidney disease progression events, defined as a 50% decline in eGFR and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), was tested using restricted cubic splines and Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: The median plasma D-dimer level was 220 (170-388.5) µg/L FEU, which was significantly higher than healthy controls 170 (170-202) µg/L FEU. Plasma D-dimer levels were positively correlated with proteinuria (r = 0.211, p < 0.001) and serum galactose-deficient IgA1 (r = 0.226, p = 0.004) and negatively correlated with eGFR (r=-0.127, p < 0.001) and Oxford T (p < 0.001) and C (p = 0.004) scores. After a median follow-up of 25.67 (13.03-47.44) months, 126 (6.93%) patients experienced composite kidney disease progression events. Higher plasma D-dimer levels were associated with an increased risk of kidney disease progression events (hazard ratio, 1.73; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.40-2.23) per ln-transformed plasma D-dimer (p < 0.001), after adjustment for sex, age, proteinuria, Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and Oxford classification scores. In reference to the first tertile of plasma D-dimer, hazard ratios were 1.48 (95% CI, 0.76-2.88) for the second tertile, 3.03 (95% CI, 1.58-5.82) for the third tertile. CONCLUSIONS: High plasma D-dimer levels were associated with the progression of kidney disease severity in IgA nephropathy.

5-Aminolevulinic acid mitigates the chromium-induced changes in Helianthus annuus L. as revealed by plant defense system enhancement.

Chromium (Cr) in the soil is one of the major pollutants for agricultural production. This study examined the efficiency of sunflower plants to remediate Cr-contaminated soils using a plant growth regulator, 5-aminolevolinic acid (ALA). At six leaf stage, sunflower plants were exposed to soil-applied Cr (0.15 g kg-1), manganese (Mn, 0.3 g kg-1) and trisodium (S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS, 2.5 mmol kg-1), ALA (10 mg L-1) was sprayed. After ALA treatment, the plants were harvested for further biochemical analyses. Results showed that EDDS and Mn improved the Cr accumulation but restrained plant growth. Conversely, ALA improved the growth of Cr-stressed plants by promoting chlorophyll concentration in the top fully expanded leaves. The bioaccumulation quantity and removal efficiency of sunflowers treated by Cr + EDDS + ALA was improved by 47.92% and 47.94%, respectively, as compared to the Cr treatment. This was further supported by qRT-PCR analysis, where the expression of heavy metal transport genes such as ZIP6 and NRAMP6 and subsequently Cr accumulation in sunflower tissues increased by EDDS, Mn, and ALA application. However, compared with other treatments, ALA ameliorated cellular injury from Cr-stress by uptake or movement of Cr prevention, modulation of antioxidant enzymes, and elimination of reactive oxygen species. Our study suggested that ALA as an ideal option for the phytoremediation of Cr-contaminated soils.

[Effect of enteral nutrition time on pH value of gastric juice and ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patient].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of enteral nutrition (EN) start time on pH value of gastric juice and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill patients with invasive mechanical ventilation, so as to provide reference for the rational selection of EN timing. METHODS: Patients with mechanical ventilation who underwent EN treatment admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 1st, 2016 to November 30th, 2017 were enrolled, and the inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) ≤ 15, and nutritional risk screening (NRS 2002) ≥ 3. Patients were divided into two groups according to the start time of EN: early EN group (implementation of EN within 48 hours after mechanical ventilation) and late EN group (implementation of EN after 48 hours after mechanical ventilation). The pH value of gastric juice, VAP incidence, mechanical ventilation time, and the length of ICU stay were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients were included, 54 in the early EN group and 54 in the late EN group respectively. The pH value of gastric juice in early EN group was lower than that in late EN group [4.8 (3.8, 5.8) vs. 5.6 (4.6, 6.6), P < 0.01]. There were 8 patients with VAP in the early EN group, 3 of whom were early onset VAP. There were 17 patients with VAP in the late EN group, 10 of whom were early onset VAP. The incidence of VAP and the incidence of premature VAP in the early EN group were significantly lower than those in the late EN group (14.8% vs. 31.5%, 5.6% vs. 18.5%, both P < 0.05). The mechanical ventilation time [days: 7.5 (5.7, 9.0) vs. 8.6 (6.8, 10.7) and the length of ICU stay [days: 10.0 (8.5, 11.7) vs. 11.0 (9.5, 12.6)] in the early EN group were significantly shorter than those in the late EN group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: At the same time of protecting gastric mucosa, early EN is helpful to reduce the incidence of VAP, reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of ICU stay, and improve the prognosis.