Mechanism of flavonols on detoxification, migration and transformation of indium in rhizosphere system.

Soil contamination by toxic heavy metal induces serious environmental hazards. In recent years, the use of indium (In) in semiconductor products has increased considerably and the release of In is inevitable, which will pose great risk to the ecosystem. The interaction between metal and plants which are the fundamental components of all ecosystems are an indispensable aspect of indium assessment and remediation. The role of flavonols, which is essential to plant resistance to In stress, remains largely unknown. FLS1 related lines of A. thaliana (Col, fls1-3 and OE) were exposed to In stress in soil and flavonols as root exudates were analyzed in exogenous application test. The accumulation and release of flavonols could be induced by In stress. However, flavonols exhibited different function in vivo and in vitro of plant. The basic function of flavonols was to affect root morphology via regulating auxin, but being intervened by In stress. The synthesis and accumulation of flavonols in vivo could activate the antioxidant system and the metal detoxification system to alleviate the toxic effects of In on plant. In addition, plants could make phone calls to rhizosphere microbes for help when exposed to In. Flavonols in vitro might act as the information transmission. Combination of endogenous and exogenous flavonols could affect the migration and transformation of In in soil-plant system via metal complexation and transportation pathway.

Arsenic pollution concerning surface water and sediment of Jie River: A pilot area where gold smelting enterprises are concentrated.

A comprehensive monitoring and risk assessment of arsenic (As) pollution concerning surface water and sediment is performed in the Jie River basin, where gold smelting enterprises are concentrated. The study area is divide into six regions, labeled as A, B, C, D, E, and F, from sewage outlets to downstream. Results shows that with far away from the sewage outlets, the total As concentrations in water and sediment gradually decrease from regions A to F. However, in region F, the concentration of bioavailable As significantly increases in the sediment due to the higher pH, leading to the transformation of As(V) into more mobile As(III). In sediment, Paracladius sp. exhibits strong resistance to As pollution in sediment, which can potentially elevate the risk of disease transmission. In water bodies, diatoms and euglena are the main phytoplankton in the Jie River while toxic cyanobacteria exhibits lower resistance to As pollution. Overall, measures should be taken to ecologically remediate the sediment in downstream while implementing appropriate isolation methods to prevent the spread of highly contaminated sediments from regions near sewage outlets.

Effect of alfalfa supplementary change dietary non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) to neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ratio on rumen fermentation and microbial function in Gansu alpine fine wool sheep (Ovis aries).

Bodyweight loss and rumen microbial dysfunction of grazing sheep was a challenge for the sheep production industry during cold season, which were considered to correlated with under-roughage-feeding. Alfalfa is a good roughage supplementary for ruminants, which can improve grazing sheep bodyweight-loss and rumen microbial dysfunction during grass-withering period. This study evaluated the effects of alfalfa hay supplementary change dietary non-fibrous carbohydrate/neutral detergent fiber (NFC/NDF) ratios on rumen fermentation and microbial function of Gansu alpine fine wool sheep during extreme cold season. 120 ewes (3-4 yrs) with an average body weight of 28.71 ± 1.22 kg were allocated randomly into three treatments, and fed NFC/NDF of 1.92 (H group), 1.11 (M group), and 0.68 (L group), respectively. This study was conducted for 107 d, including 7 d of adaption to the diets. The rumen fermentation parameters and microbial characteristics were measured after the end of feeding trials. The results showed that the concentrations of sheep body weight, nitrogen components (Total-N, Soluble protein-N and Ammonia-N), blood biochemical indices (LDH, BUN and CHO) and ruminal volatile fatty acids (TVFA and propionate) significantly increased with an increase in the proportion of NFC/NDF ratios (p < .05), and the acetate and acetate/propionat ratio presented a contrary decreasing trend (p < .05). A total of 1018 OTUs were obtained with 97% consistency. Ruminococcus, Ruminococcaceae and Prevotella were observed as the predominant phyla in ruminal fluid microbiota. Higher NFC/NDF ratios with Alfalfa supplementary increased the richness and diversity of ruminal fluid microbiota, and decreased ruminal fluid microbiota beta-diversity. Using clusters of orthologous groups (COG), the ruminal fluid microbiota of alfalfa supplementary feeding showed low immune pathway and high carbohydrate metabolism pathway. In summary, the study suggested that there was an increasing tendency in dietary NFC/NDF ratio of 1.92 in body weight, ruminal fermentation, microbial community composition and fermentation characteristics through developing alfalfa supplementary system.

The Arabidopsis IDD14 transcription factor interacts with bZIP-type ABFs/AREBs and cooperatively regulates ABA-mediated drought tolerance.

The INDETERMINATE DOMAIN (IDD) transcription factors mediate various aspects of plant growth and development. We previously reported that an Arabidopsis IDD subfamily regulates spatial auxin accumulation, and thus organ morphogenesis and gravitropic responses. However, its functions in stress responses are not well defined. Here, we use a combination of physiological, biochemical, molecular, and genetic approaches to provide evidence that the IDD14 cooperates with basic leucine zipper-type binding factors/ABA-responsive element (ABRE)-binding proteins (ABRE-binding factors (ABFs)/AREBs) in ABA-mediated drought tolerance. idd14-1D, a gain-of-function mutant of IDD14, exhibits decreased leaf water loss and improved drought tolerance, whereas inactivation of IDD14 in idd14-1 results in increased transpiration and reduced drought tolerance. Altered IDD14 expression affects ABA sensitivity and ABA-mediated stomatal closure. IDD14 can physically interact with ABF1-4 and subsequently promote their transcriptional activities. Moreover, ectopic expression and mutation of ABFs could, respectively, suppress and enhance plant sensitivity to drought stress in the idd14-1 mutant. Our results demonstrate that IDD14 forms a functional complex with ABFs and positively regulates drought-stress responses, thus revealing a previously unidentified role of IDD14 in ABA signaling and drought responses.

T cell differentiation protein 2 facilitates cell proliferation by enhancing mTOR-mediated ribosome biogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer.

Dysregulation of T cell differentiation protein 2 (MAL2) has been observed in multiple cancers, but its exact role in lung cancer is poorly understood. Here we report a role of MAL2 in accelerating cell proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MAL2 expression enhances cell proliferation in both cell and nude mouse models. Mechanistically, overexpression of MAL2 results in the hyper-activation of the MAPK/mTOR signaling pathway in NSCLC cells which leads to active ribosome biogenesis. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of mTOR or MEK lowered the abundance of PCNA, a marker of tumor cell proliferation, and subsequently suppressed ribosome biogenesis, cell growth and xenograft growth in mouse model. MAL2 upregulation in clinical tumors is also linked to worse prognosis. Overall our data reveal that MAL2 is a potential diagnostic biomarker and targeting the MAL2/MAPK/mTOR signaling pathway may improve therapeutic strategy and efficacy for this subset of NSCLC patients.

Correlation of serum ferritin levels with neurological function-related indices and cognitive dysfunction in patients with cerebral hemorrhage.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation of serum ferritin (FS) levels with neurological function-related indices, such as neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100ß protein levels, and cognitive dysfunction in patients with cerebral hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with acute non-traumatic cerebral hemorrhage (cerebrovascular disease (VD), n = 128) and healthy controls (CON, n = 128) were included. FS, NSE, and S100ß levels were measured using ELISA. Cognitive functions were evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the ability of SE, NSE, and serum S100ß to predict the diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction in patients with cerebral hemorrhage. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors of cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral hemorrhage. RESULTS: Cognitive impairment in patients with VD was closely related to the increased levels of SE, NSE, and S100ß. There was a strong correlation between MoCA and MMSE scores and the levels of FS, NSE, and S100ß. The independent risk factors leading to cognitive impairment in cerebral hemorrhage mainly include family history of cerebrovascular disease, body mass index, hypertension, smoking frequency, and elevated levels of low-density lipoproteins, NSE, FS, and S100ß. CONCLUSION: NSE, FS, and S100ß can be used as important markers for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral hemorrhage.

Application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Molecular Probe in the Study of Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Stem Cells for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Paralysis of Cerebral Infarction.

The feasibility and efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging molecular probe application and pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation for the treatment of hind limb paralysis in mice with cerebral infarction were studied. A model of middle cerebral artery infarction using adult mice was established to stimulate hind limb reactions. After the model was successfully established, the mice were first divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 25 mice in each group. Cultured neural cells were obtained from the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of a mouse 15 days pregnant to prepare pluripotent stem cells. Pluripotent stem cell-derived NSCs were identified by positive expression of Nestin. The experimental group was injected with 1 µL of NSC suspension through the tail vein, and the control group was injected with 1 µL of saline through the tail vein. The neurologic function of mice in each group was scored 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days after transplantation according to the Garcia 18 subscale. Finally, the differentiation, migration, and integration of pluripotent stem cell-derived NSCs after transplantation were observed using a magnetic resonance imaging molecular probe method. The results showed that the neurologic function scores of the ischemic transplantation group were significantly higher than those of the control group, and the results were significantly different (P < 0.05). Through research, it was found that after transplantation of pluripotent stem cell-derived NSCs, the transplanted cells migrated and differentiated around the body at 28 days and participated in angiogenesis, and the blood vessels in the infarcted area were obviously proliferated. The NSCs cultured in vitro were transplanted to the small infarction after cerebral infarction. In rats, it plays a positive role in the repair of nerve function in mice with cerebral infarction. NSCs cultured in vitro can survive, migrate, and differentiate in the brain tissue of mouse ischemic models and play a positive role in the repair of neurologic function in mice with cerebral infarction. Magnetic resonance imaging molecular probes have a good adjuvant effect on the use of pluripotent stem cell-derived NSCs to treat hind limb paralysis in mice with cerebral infarction.

Emerging role of HOX genes and their related long noncoding RNAs in lung cancer.

The transcription factor homeobox (Hox) proteins are the master regulator for the embryonic development. Studies have identified new functions for HOX in the regulation of metabolism and other primary cellular processes in humans. Their dysregulation has been observed in a variety of cancers and accumulating evidence has revealed the crucial role of HOX in cancer progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. HOX-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) became the most attracting lncRNAs recently that play critical role in gene regulation and chromatin dynamics in cancers. In this review, we explore the roles of HOX and their related lncRNAs in lung cancer, indicating HOX genes as potential therapeutic targets in lung cancer.

Two Arabidopsis Receptor-like Cytoplasmic Kinases SZE1 and SZE2 Associate with the ZAR1-ZED1 Complex and Are Required for Effector-Triggered Immunity.

Plants utilize intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat domain-containing receptors (NLRs) to recognize pathogen effectors and induce a robust defense response named effector-triggered immunity (ETI). The Arabidopsis NLR protein HOPZ-ACTIVATED RESISTANCE 1 (ZAR1) forms a precomplex with HOPZ-ETI-DEFICIENT 1 (ZED1), a receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase (RLCK) XII-2 subfamily member, to recognize the Pseudomonas syringae effector HopZ1a. We previously described a dominant mutant of Arabidopsis ZED1, zed1-D, which displays temperature-sensitive autoimmunity in a ZAR1-dependent manner. Here, we report that the RLCKs SUPPRESSOR OF ZED1-D1 (SZE1) and SZE2 associate with the ZAR1-ZED1 complex and are required for the ZED1-D-activated autoimmune response and HopZ1a-triggered immunity. We show that SZE1 but not SZE2 has autophosphorylation activity, and that the N-terminal myristoylation of both SZE1 and SZE2 is critical for their plasma membrane localization and ZED1-D-activated autoimmunity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SZE1 and SZE2 both interact with ZAR1 to form a functional complex and are required for resistance against P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 expressing HopZ1a. We also provide evidence that SZE1 and SZE2 interact with HopZ1a and function together with ZED1 to change the intramolecular interactions of ZAR1, leading to its activation. Taken together, our results reveal SZE1 and SZE2 as critical signaling components of HopZ1a-triggered immunity.

TCP transcription factors interact with ZED1-related kinases as components of the temperature-regulated immunity.

The elevation of ambient temperature generally inhibits plant immunity, but the molecular regulations of immunity by ambient temperature in plants are largely elusive. We previously reported that the Arabidopsis HOPZ-ETI-DEFICIENT 1 (ZED1)-related kinases (ZRKs) mediate the temperature-sensitive immunity by inhibiting the transcription of SUPPRESSOR OF NPR1-1, CONSTITUTIVE 1 (SNC1). Here, we further demonstrate that the nucleus-localized ZED1 and ZRKs facilitate such inhibitory role in associating with the TEOSINTE BRANCHED1, CYCLOIDEA AND PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR (TCP) transcription factors. We show that some of TCP members could physically interact with ZRKs and are induced by elevated temperature. Disruption of TCPs leads to a mild autoimmune phenotype, whereas overexpression of the TCP15 could suppress the autoimmunity activated by the overexpressed SNC1 in the snc1-2. These findings demonstrate that the TCP transcription factors associate with nuclear ZRK as components of the temperature-regulated immunity, which discloses a possible molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of immunity by ambient temperature in plants.

Arabidopsis ZED1-related kinases mediate the temperature-sensitive intersection of immune response and growth homeostasis.

Activation of the immune response in plants antagonizes growth and development in the absence of pathogens, and such an autoimmune phenotype is often suppressed by the elevation of ambient temperature. However, molecular regulation of the ambient temperature-sensitive intersection of immune response and growth is largely elusive. A genetic screen identified an Arabidopsis mutant, zed1-D, by its high temperature-dependent growth retardation. A combination of molecular, cytological and genetic approaches was used to investigate the molecular basis behind the temperature-sensitive growth and immune response in zed1-D. A dominant mutation in HOPZ-ETI-DEFICIENT 1 (ZED1) is responsible for a high temperature-dependent autoimmunity and growth retardation in zed1-D. The autoimmune phenotype in zed1-D is dependent on the HOPZ-ACTIVATED RESISTANCE 1 (ZAR1). ZED1 and some ZED1-related kinases (ZRKs) are induced by elevated temperature and function cooperatively to suppress the immune response by modulating the transcription of SUPPRESSOR OF NPR1-1 CONSTITUTIVE 1 (SNC1) in the absence of pathogens. Our data reveal a previously unidentified role of ZRKs in the ambient temperature-sensitive immune response in the absence of pathogens, and thus reveals a possible molecular mechanism underlying the temperature-mediated intersection of immune response and growth in plants.

Retrospective analysis of 14 cases of remote epidural hematoma as a postoperative complication after intracranial tumor resection.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of remote epidural hematoma as a postoperative complication after intracranial tumor resection is rare. This study reviewed experiences treating these hematomas and speculated on the causes of this disease. This study reviewed the treatment experience of 14 such cases. METHODS: The 14 patients included 10 males and 4 females, with an age range of 19 to 65 years old. Six cases of tumors occurred in the sellar region, two cases in the lateral ventricle, one case in the fourth ventricle, one case in a cerebellar hemisphere, and four cases in other sites. Among them, five cases were complicated with supratentorial hydrocephalus. The tumors included five cases of meningioma tumors, two cases of pituitary adenomas, three cases of ependymomas, two cases of craniopharyngiomas, one case of astrocytoma, and one case of tuberculosis tumor. For the cases complicated with hydrocephalus, ventricular drainage was provided if needed, and the tumor resection was then performed, with close observation for postoperative changes. If neurological symptoms and disturbance of consciousness occurred, computed tomography (CT) examination was immediately performed. If a remote epidural hematoma was found, the hematoma was evacuated by craniotomy. The patients were followed up after surgery. In the five cases complicated with hydrocephalus, ventricular drainage was first provided for three cases. RESULTS: All of the 14 cases underwent total tumor resection, and postoperative remote epidural hematoma occurred in all cases, including eight cases on the ipsilateral side and adjacent to the supratentorial operative field; two cases occurred on the contralateral side; two cases occurred on bilateral sides; and two cases occurred in distant areas (with infratentorial surgery, the hematoma occurred on the supratentorial area). Postoperative remote epidural hematoma usually occurred 0.5-5 h after the tumor resection, when the tentorial hernia had already occurred. Following tumor resection and epidural hematoma evacuation, 13 patients were discharged with good recovery, and one patient died. CONCLUSIONS: The reduced intracranial pressure due to the intracranial tumor resection may be the cause of this hematoma. This type of epidural hematoma is acute and often occurs before hernia. Thus, the risk of remote epidural hematoma after intracranial tumor resection needs to be made known. Aggressive hematoma evacuation can often result in satisfactory outcomes for patients.

The arabidopsis IDD14, IDD15, and IDD16 cooperatively regulate lateral organ morphogenesis and gravitropism by promoting auxin biosynthesis and transport.

The plant hormone auxin plays a critical role in regulating various aspects of plant growth and development, and the spatial accumulation of auxin within organs, which is primarily attributable to local auxin biosynthesis and polar transport, is largely responsible for lateral organ morphogenesis and the establishment of plant architecture. Here, we show that three Arabidopsis INDETERMINATE DOMAIN (IDD) transcription factors, IDD14, IDD15, and IDD16, cooperatively regulate auxin biosynthesis and transport and thus aerial organ morphogenesis and gravitropic responses. Gain-of-function of each IDD gene in Arabidopsis results in small and transversally down-curled leaves, whereas loss-of-function of these IDD genes causes pleiotropic phenotypes in aerial organs and defects in gravitropic responses, including altered leaf shape, flower development, fertility, and plant architecture. Further analyses indicate that these IDD genes regulate spatial auxin accumulation by directly targeting YUCCA5 (YUC5), TRYPTOPHAN AMINOTRANSFERASE of ARABIDOPSIS1 (TAA1), and PIN-FORMED1 (PIN1) to promote auxin biosynthesis and transport. Moreover, mutation or ectopic expression of YUC suppresses the organ morphogenic phenotype and partially restores the gravitropic responses in gain- or loss-of-function idd mutants, respectively. Taken together, our results reveal that a subfamily of IDD transcription factors plays a critical role in the regulation of spatial auxin accumulation, thereby controlling organ morphogenesis and gravitropic responses in plants.

Tryptophan deficiency affects organ growth by retarding cell expansion in Arabidopsis.

Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid required not only for protein synthesis but also for the production of many plant metabolites, including the hormone auxin. Mutations that disrupt Trp biosynthesis result in various developmental defects in plant organs, but how Trp affects organ growth and development remains unclear. Here, we identify an Arabidopsis mutant, small organ1 (smo1/trp2-301), which exhibits a reduction in the size of its aerial organs as a result of the retardation of growth by cell expansion, rather than by the retardation of growth by cell proliferation. smo1/trp2-301 contains a lesion in TSB1 that encodes a predominantly expressed Trp synthase beta-subunit, and is allelic with trp2 mutants. Further analyses show that in trp2 leaf cells, the nuclear endoreduplication is impaired and chloroplast development is delayed. Furthermore, cell expansion and leaf growth in trp2 can be restored by the exogenous application of Trp, but not by auxin, and the general protein synthesis is not apparently affected in trp2 mutants. Our findings suggest that the deficiency in Trp or its derivatives is a growth-limiting factor for cell expansion during plant organogenesis.

The role of water channel proteins and nitric oxide signaling in rice seed germination.

Previous studies have demonstrated the possible role of several aquaporins in seed germination. But systematic investigation of the role of aquaporin family members in this process is lacking. Here, the developmental regulation of plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) expression throughout germination and post-germination processes in rice embryos was analyzed. The expression patterns of the PIPs suggest these aquaporins play different roles in seed germination and seedling growth. Partial silencing of the water channel genes, OsPIP1;1 and OsPIP1;3, reduced seed germination while over-expression of OsPIP1;3 promoted seed germination under water-stress conditions. Moreover, spatial expression analysis indicates that OsPIP1;3 is expressed predominantly in embryo during seed germination. Our data also revealed that the nitric oxide (NO) donors, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), promoted seed germination; furthermore, the NO scavenger, 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, inhibited germination and reduced the stimulative effects of SNP and GSNO on rice germination. Exogenous NO stimulated the transcription of OsPIP1;1, OsPIP1;2, OsPIP1;3 and OsPIP2;8 in germinating seeds. These results suggest that water channels play an important role in seed germination, acting, at least partly, in response to the NO signaling pathway.

Gibberellin-regulated XET is differentially induced by auxin in rice leaf sheath bases during gravitropic bending.

The asymmetric distribution of auxin plays a fundamental role in plant gravitropism, yet little is understood about how its lateral distribution stimulates growth. In the present work, the asymmetric distribution not only of auxin, but also that of gibberellins (GAs), was observed in rice leaf sheath bases following gravistimulation. Gravistimulation induced the transient accumulation of greater amounts of both IAA and GA in the lower halves of the leaf sheath bases of rice seedlings. OsGA3ox1, a gene of active GA synthesis, was differentially induced by gravistimulation. Furthermore, 2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid (TIBA), an inhibitor of auxin transport, substantially decreased the asymmetric distribution of IAA and the gradient of OsGA3ox1 expression. Externally applied GA(3) restored the gravitropic curvature of rice leaf sheaths inhibited by either TIBA or by ancymidol, a GA synthesis inhibitor. The expression of XET (encoding xyloglucan endotransglycosylase) was differentially induced in the lower halves of gravistimulated leaf sheath bases and was also up-regulated by exogenous IAA and GA(3). Both ancymidol and TIBA decreased the gradient of XET expression. These data suggest that the asymmetric distribution of auxin effected by gravistimulation induced a gradient of GAs via asymmetric expression of OsGA3ox1 in rice leaf sheath bases, and hence caused the asymmetric expression of XET. Cell wall loosening in the curvature site of the leaf sheath triggered by the expression of XET would contribute to gravitropic growth.