Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Regulatory Networks of Cytokinin in Promoting Floral Feminization in Castanea henryi.

Castanea henryi is a monoecious plant with a low female-to-male ratio, which limits its yield. The phytohormone cytokinin (CK) plays a crucial role in flower development, especially gynoecium development. Here, the feminizing effect of CK on the development of C. henryi was confirmed by the exogenous spraying of N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea (CPPU). Spraying CPPU at 125 mg·L-1 thrice changed the male catkin into a pure female catkin, whereas at 5 mg·L-1 and 25 mg·L-1, only a part of the male catkin was transformed into a female catkin. A comparative transcriptome analysis of male catkins subjected to CPPU was performed to study the mechanism of the role of CKs in sex differentiation. Using Pearson's correlation analysis between hormone content and hormone synthesis gene expression, four key genes, LOG1, LOG3, LOG7 and KO, were identified in the CK and GA synthesis pathways. Moreover, a hub gene in the crosstalk between JA and the other hormone signaling pathways, MYC2, was identified, and 15 flowering-related genes were significantly differentially expressed after CPPU treatment. These results suggest that CK interacts with other phytohormones to determine the sex of C. henryi, and CK may directly target floral organ recognition genes to control flower sex.

The limiting factors of oncolytic virus immunotherapy and the approaches to overcome them.

Oncolytic virus (OV) immunotherapy is characterized by viruses which specifically target cancer cells and cause their cytolysis. They provide a unique and promising new tool for the eradication of cancer as they interact with and affect the tumor microenvironment (TME), vasculature, and immune system. Advancements of genetic engineering have allowed for these viruses to be armed in such a way to have enhanced targeting, strong immunomodulation properties, and an ability to modify the TME. However, there are still major limitations in their use, mostly due to difficulties in delivering the viral particles to the tumors and in ensuring that the immunomodulatory properties are able to stimulate the host immune response to mount a complete response. Using novel delivery systems and using OVs as a complementary therapy in a combinatorial treatment have shown some significant successes. In this review, we discuss the major issues and difficulties in using OVs as anti-tumor agents and some of the strategies put in place so far to overcome these limitations. KEY POINTS: • Oncolytic viruses (OVs) infect cancer cells and cause their cytolysis. • The major limitations in using OVs as anti-tumor therapy were discussed. • The potential strategies to overcome these limitations were summarized.

Allelopathic Effects of Castanea henryi Aqueous Extracts on the Growth and Physiology of Brassica pekinensis and Zea mays.

The present study investigated the allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts of Castanea henryi litter on the growth and physiological responses of Brassica pekinensis and Zea mays. Treatment with high concentrations of leaf extract (0.05 g/ml for B. pekinensis and 0.10 g/ml for Z. mays) significantly increased malonaldehyde content and reduced seed germination, seedling growth, chlorophyll content, and the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes. These effects generally increased with increasing extract concentration. However, in Z. mays, low extract concentrations actually promoted seed germination, shoot growth, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzyme activity. The allelopathic effects of the various C. henryi extracts decreased as follows: leaf extract > twig extract > shell extract. Eleven potential allelochemicals including rutin, quercetin, luteolin, procyanidin A2, kaempferol, allantoin, propionic acid, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, methylmalonic acid, and gentisic acid were identified in the leaves of C. henryi which were linked to the strongest allelopathic effects. These findings suggest that the allelopathic effects of C. henryi differ depending on receptor plant species, and that leaves are the most allelopathic litter in C. henryi.

Relationship between multi-slice computed tomography features and pathological risk stratification assessment in gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) imaging features are associated with risk stratification of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). AIM: To determine the multi-slice CT imaging features for predicting risk stratification in patients with primary gastric GISTs. METHODS: The clinicopathological and CT imaging data for 147 patients with histologically confirmed primary gastric GISTs were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had received dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) followed by surgical resection. According to the modified National Institutes of Health criteria, 147 lesions were classified into the low malignant potential group (very low and low risk; 101 lesions) and high malignant potential group (medium and high-risk; 46 lesions). The association between malignant potential and CT characteristic features (including tumor location, size, growth pattern, contour, ulceration, cystic degeneration or necrosis, calcification within the tumor, lymphadenopathy, enhancement patterns, unenhanced CT and CECT attenuation value, and enhancement degree) was analyzed using univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant predictors of high malignant potential. The receiver operating curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the predictive value of tumor size and the multinomial logistic regression model for risk classification. RESULTS: There were 46 patients with high malignant potential and 101 with low-malignant potential gastric GISTs. Univariate analysis showed no significant differences in age, gender, tumor location, calcification, unenhanced CT and CECT attenuation values, and enhancement degree between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, a significant difference was observed in tumor size (3.14 ± 0.94 vs 6.63 ± 3.26 cm, P < 0.001) between the low-grade and high-grade groups. The univariate analysis further revealed that CT imaging features, including tumor contours, lesion growth patterns, ulceration, cystic degeneration or necrosis, lymphadenopathy, and contrast enhancement patterns, were associated with risk stratification (P < 0.05). According to binary logistic regression analysis, tumor size [P < 0.001; odds ratio (OR) = 26.448; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.854-144.099)], contours (P = 0.028; OR = 7.750; 95%CI: 1.253-47.955), and mixed growth pattern (P = 0.046; OR = 4.740; 95%CI: 1.029-21.828) were independent predictors for risk stratification of gastric GISTs. ROC curve analysis for the multinomial logistic regression model and tumor size to differentiate high-malignant potential from low-malignant potential GISTs achieved a maximum area under the curve of 0.919 (95%CI: 0.863-0.975) and 0.940 (95%CI: 0.893-0.986), respectively. The tumor size cutoff value between the low and high malignant potential groups was 4.05 cm, and the sensitivity and specificity were 93.5% and 84.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: CT features, including tumor size, growth patterns, and lesion contours, were predictors of malignant potential for primary gastric GISTs.

The eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection in duodenal ulcer patients by three short-term triple therapies in China: a multicenter clinical comparative study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to compare the 7d triple therapy with 3d and 5d triple therapies, to observe the effect of eradicating Helicobacter pylori (Hp) on treating duodenal ulcers. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and sixteen patients who were confirmed duodenal ulcer active period and Hp positive were enrolled in the study. All the patients were divided into three groups: 3d group (n=39), 5d group (n=37) and 7d control group (n=40). All three groups were provided triple therapy first: rabeprazole, 10mg + furazolidone, 100mg + clarithromycin 250mg, twice a day for three days, five days and seven days, respectively. Then rabeprazole 10mg was provided once a day. Following the treatment, 13C urea breath test was performed to observe the Hp eradication rate. The symptoms of patients such as epigastralgia, burning pain and acidity were evaluated. RESULTS: The Hp eradication rate was: 3d group 76% (28/37), 5d 89% (31/35) and 7d 91% (32/35). There was no significant difference between 5d and 7d group (p>0.05). But the rate of groups 5d and 7d was significantly higher than group 3d (p<0.05). All the three groups showed an improvement in symptoms such as epigastralgia, burning pain and acidity. CONCLUSIONS: All three therapy schemes could alleviate symptoms of duodenal ulcer patients efficiently. But as far as eradicating Hp concerned, 5d and 7d therapies were better than 3d.

Ultrasound Responsive Smart Implantable Hydrogels for Targeted Delivery of Drugs: Reviewing Current Practices.

Over the last two decades, the process of delivering therapeutic drugs to a patient with a controlled release profile has been a significant focus of drug delivery research. Scientists have given tremendous attention to ultrasound-responsive hydrogels for several decades. These smart nanosystems are more applicable than other stimuli-responsive drug delivery vehicles (ie UV-, pH- and thermal-, responsive materials) because they enable more efficient targeted treatment via relatively non-invasive means. Ultrasound (US) is capable of safely transporting energy through opaque and complex media with minimal loss of energy. It is capable of being localized to smaller regions and coupled to systems operating at various time scales. However, the properties enabling the US to propagate effectively in materials also make it very difficult to transform acoustic energy into other forms that may be used. Recent research from a variety of domains has attempted to deal with this issue, proving that ultrasonic effects can be used to control chemical and physical systems with remarkable specificity. By obviating the need for multiple intravenous injections, implantable US responsive hydrogel systems can enhance the quality of life for patients who undergo treatment with a varied dosage regimen. Ideally, the ease of self-dosing in these systems would lead to increased patient compliance with a particular therapy as well. However, excessive literature has been reported based on implanted US responsive hydrogel in various fields, but there is no comprehensive review article showing the strategies to control drug delivery profile. So, this review was aimed at discussing the current strategies for controlling and targeting drug delivery profiles using implantable hydrogel systems.

High expression of PPM1G is associated with the progression and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: PPM1G, a member of the serine/threonine protease family, dephosphorylates various proteins and may be involved in cancer development. The role and mechanism of PPM1G in HCC still needs to be verified. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the role of PPM1G in the occurrence, development and prognosis of HCC. METHODS: Using bioinformatics (UALCAN, cBioPortal, Linkedomics, STRING and GSEA) to analyze the expression of PPM1G mRNA in HCC, its clinical relevance and possible involved signaling pathways. The expression of PPM1G protein was determined by immunohistochemistry in 311 cases of HCC to evaluate the association between PPM1G and clinical features and prognosis. RESULTS: The expression of PPM1G was significantly upregulated in HCC (P< 0.001), correlated with the metastasis (P= 0.020), pathological grade of HCC (P= 0.032), microvascular invasion (P= 0.040), and HBV infection (P= 0.041). Cox multivariate regression showed high expression of PPM1G was an independent prognostic factor for HCC. Its role in HCC may relate to methylation and frequency mutation. Furthermore, the database showed PPM1G is involved in the signal pathway such as cell cycle, WNT pathway, and mTOR pathway in HCC. CONCLUSION: PPM1G showed an essential function involving in tumor-related pathways in HCC, providing a biological basis for targeted treatment of HCC clinically.

What Are the Best Pollinator Candidates for Camelia oleifera: Do Not Forget Hoverflies and Flies.

Camellia oleifera Abel. is an important woody oil plant, and its pollination success is essential for oil production. We conducted this study to select the best pollinator candidates for C. oleifera using principal component analysis and multi-attribute decision-making. Field observations of the flower-visiting characteristics of candidate pollinators were conducted at three sites. The insect species that visited flowers did not considerably differ between regions or time periods. However, the proportion of each species recorded did vary. We recorded eleven main candidates from two orders and six families at the three sites. The pollen amount carried by Apis mellifera was significantly higher than that of other insects. However, the visit frequency and body length of Apis mellifera were smaller than those of Vespa velutina. Statistical analysis showed that A. mellifera is the best candidate pollinator; Eristaliscerealis is a good candidate pollinator; Phytomia zonata, A. cerana, and V. velutina were ordinary candidate pollinators; and four fly species, Episyrphus balteatus, and Eristalinus arvorum were classified as inefficient candidate pollinators. Our study shows that flies and hoverflies play an important role in the pollination system. Given the global decline in bee populations, the role of flies should also be considered in C. oleifera seed production.

Pseudopollen in Camellia oleifera and its implications for pollination ecology and taxonomy.

Background and aims: In 1997, Tsou described the special differentiation of the connective tissues of some species of Theaceae to produce single-celled powders with unique patterns called pseudopollen. The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological structure of the pseudopollen of Camellia oleifera (Theaceae) and to study the morphology of pseudopollen in seven other Camellia species. Methods: Scanning electron microscopy, paraffin section, light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, histochemistry. Key result: C. oleifera pseudopollen was similar to normal pollen in macroscopic morphology but different microscopically. The normal pollen was starch-rich and yellow, with mostly reticulate exine ornamentation. In contrast, the pseudopollen was a white powder, single-celled and rich in protein, with parallel unbranched ridge lines on the outer wall, and originated from the parenchyma of the connective tissues. There are also differences in the micro-characteristics of normal and pseudopollen among different species in Camellia. Conclusion: There are great differences in morphological structure between C. oleifera and other species in Camellia normal pollen and pseudopollen; these results may indicate that the pseudopollen can be used as a taxonomic basis for Camellia, and the macroscopic similarity between pseudopollen and pollen and histochemical characteristics of pseudopollen can be a pollination strategy.

Ghrelin inhibits 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis in colonic cancer cells.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate if ghrelin inhibits apoptosis in colonic cancer cells. METHODS: Cell viability in HT-29 cells was measured using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptosis was measured using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining and flow cytometry. The protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 activation was examined using Western blotting. RESULTS: Ghrelin dose dependently decreased the growth inhibition of HT-29 cells induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Cells treated with 5-FU displayed chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation, which are typical changes of apoptosis. However, co-treatment with ghrelin reduced these changes. Flow cytometry after staining with Annexin V and propidium iodide showed that ghrelin decreased the apoptotic rate of HT-29 cells induced by 5-FU. Caspase-3 activation was significantly lower in the co-treated group than in the group treated with 5-FU alone. In addition, ghrelin reversed the 5-FU-induced Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio. CONCLUSION: Ghrelin inhibits 5-FU-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells through the regulation of the Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio.

[The relationship between amount of cigarette smoked and insulin resistance in male patients with coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between smoking and insulin resistance in non-obese male patients with CAD. METHODS: 414 consecutive non-obese male patients with angiographically-documented CAD (luminal diameter narrowing > 50%) were recruited, including 113 nonsmokers and 301 smokers. With 99 mild smokers (< 400 packs/year), 95 medium smokers (400 - 799 packs/year) and 107 heavy smokers (≥ 800 packs/year). Insulin resistance index (IRI) was expressed by homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) calculated by the formula of [fasting serum glucose (mmol/L) × fasting plasma insulin (mU/L)]/22.5. IRI ≥ 2.69 was defined as insulin resistance, while IRI < 2.69 was insulin sensitive. Fasting glucose, fasting insulin and IRI were recorded and odds ratio for the incidence of insulin resistance was calculated. RESULTS: Fasting glucose was higher in heavy smokers (5.86 mmol/L) than that in nonsmokers (5.51 mmol/L, P = 0.037) and mild smokers (5.33 mmol/L, P = 0.014). Fasting insulin and IRI were also significantly higher in heavy smokers (10.25 mU/L) than those in non-smokers (8.72 mU/L, P = 0.0231, respectively) and mild smokers (8.67 mU/L, P = 0.0231). Compared with nonsmokers, the odds ratio for the incidence of insulin resistance was 1.53 (95%CI 0.55 - 2.94; P = 0.027) in medium smokers and 1.89 (95%CI 0.49 - 3.14; P = 0.018) in heavy smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between smoking and insulin resistance is highly dose dependent in non-obese male patients with CAD.

High Expression of SLC41A3 Correlates with Poor Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: SLC41A3 is a member of the solute carrier family 41 (SLC41) and is involved in many cellular processes as a magnesium ion transporter. Although it plays an important role in cancer formation and development, the correlation between the expression of SLC41A3 and the occurrence and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Therefore, this study was focused on the evaluation of the relationship between SLC41A3 and the development and prognosis of HCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Firstly, we collected the mRNA expression of SLC41A3 in HCC through the platform of Oncomine. Then, the subgroups of HCC were performed by the UALCAN website and the prognosis of HCC was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier Plotter database. Subsequently, immunohistochemistry (IHC) method was used to detect SLC41A3 expression in 323 clinically confirmed HCC samples and 184 non-cancerous liver tissues. Finally, function enrichment analysis was done using the LinkInterpreter module in LinkedOmics, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed using TCGA data set. RESULTS: The Oncomine database and immunohistochemical (IHC) showed higher SLC41A3 expression in HCC tissue compared to normal tissue. The expression of SLC41A3 was significantly correlated with tumor metastasis, Edmondson grade, microvascular invasion, and AFP level. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses verified that high SLC41A3 expression is a significant prognostic factor for reduced overall survival in HCC patients. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that high expression of SLC41A3 was the predictor of poor prognosis in HCC patients, suggesting that this protein may be a potential target for HCC therapy.

MicroRNA-21 is upregulated during intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by ischemia reperfusion.

This study aimed to investigate the expression of miRNA-21 during intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by intestinal ischemia reperfusion. Forty SPF SD rats were divided into 5 groups randomly. Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) was induced by mesenteric artery occlusion for 1 h and reperfusion for 1 h, and the rats were sacrificed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 h after reperfusion. Fresh intestine tissues were immediately isolated for the measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance (TER). The levels of cytokines, ICAM-1, DAO, iFABP and MPO in serum were determined by ELISA. Intestinal tight junction proteins occludin and claudin-1 were detected by immunofluorescence analysis and Western blot analysis. miR-21 expression in intestinal tissues was measured by RT-PCR. Compared with sham group, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 and ICAM-1, DAO, iFABP and MPO increased while IL-10 level decreased in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion group. In addition, the levels of intestinal tight junction proteins occludin and claudin-1 decreased while miR-21 level increased in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion group, compared with sham group. In conclusion, miR-21 expression is upregulated during intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by IRI. miR-21 may play an important role in the regulation of intestinal barrier function.

Author Correction: Diagnostic value of ultrasound features and sex of fetuses in female patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.