Optimization of thermal deformation process parameters of 2219 Al matrix composites.

To investigate the deformation behavior and optimize the hot processing parameters for 2219 aluminum matrix composite, the constitutive equation and hot processing maps were established. Initially, hot compression experiments on 2219 aluminum alloy (2219A) were conducted using a Gleeble-3500 thermal simulation tester to obtain high-temperature rheological data. The deformation temperatures tested were 573, 623, 673, 723, and 773 K, with strain rates of 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 s-1, and a maximum deformation of 60 %. Subsequently, material parameters such as the activation energy, Zener-Hollomon parameter, power dissipation efficiency, and instability coefficient for 2219A were calculated. Analytical expressions for these material and deformation parameters were formulated, and a hot processing map for 2219A was constructed. The hot processing map, along with the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and the Entropy Weight Method (EWM), were used to optimize the thermal deformation process parameters. The stability processing area and the optimal processing area identified by both methods were largely consistent. According to the hot processing map, the stability processing areas were identified in the temperature ranges of 580-660 K and 690-773 K with strain rates of 0.01 s-1 and 0.01-0.6 s-1, respectively. Using the TOPSIS and EWM methods, the stability processing areas were defined between 573 and 640 K and 0.01 s-1, 640-690 K and 0.01-0.1 s-1, and 690-773 K and 0.01-1 s-1. The consistency and accuracy of these optimization results were confirmed through microstructure analysis.

Comparative Analysis of Sucrose-Regulatory Genes in High- and Low-Sucrose Sister Clones of Sugarcane.

Sugarcane is a significant primitive source of sugar and energy worldwide. The progress in enhancing the sugar content in sugarcane cultivars remains limited due to an insufficient understanding of specific genes related to sucrose production. The present investigation examined the enzyme activities, levels of reducing and non-reducing sugars, and transcript expression using RT-qPCR to assess the gene expression associated with sucrose metabolism in a high-sucrose sugarcane clone (GXB9) in comparison to a low-sucrose sister clone (B9). Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose phosphate phosphatase (SPP), sucrose synthase (SuSy), cell wall invertase (CWI), soluble acid invertase (SAI), and neutral invertase (NI) are essential enzymes involved in sucrose metabolism in sugarcane. The activities of these enzymes were comparatively quantified and analyzed in immature and maturing internodes of the high- and low-sucrose clones. The results showed that the higher-sucrose-accumulating clone had greater sucrose concentrations than the low-sucrose-accumulating clone; however, maturing internodes had higher sucrose levels than immature internodes in both clones. Hexose concentrations were higher in immature internodes than in maturing internodes for both clones. The SPS and SPP enzymes activities were higher in the high-sucrose-storing clone than in the low-sucrose clone. SuSy activity was higher in the low-sucrose clone than in the high-sucrose clone; further, the degree of SuSy activity was higher in immature internodes than in maturing internodes for both clones. The SPS gene expression was considerably higher in mature internodes of the high-sucrose clones than the low-sucrose clone. Conversely, the SuSy gene exhibited up-regulated expression in the low-sucrose clone. The enhanced expression of SPS in the high-sucrose clone compared to the low-sucrose clone suggests that SPS plays a major role in the increased accumulation of sucrose. These findings provide the opportunity to improve sugarcane cultivars by regulating the activity of genes related to sucrose metabolism using transgenic techniques.

EZH2-regulated PARP-1 Expression is a Likely Mechanism for the Chemoresistance of Gliomas to Temozolomide.

BACKGROUND: Chemoresistance in gliomas accounts for the major cause of tumor progress and recurrence during comprehensive treatment with alkylating agents including temozolomide (TMZ). The oncogenic role of Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has been identified in many solid malignancies including gliomas, though the accurate effect of EZH2 on chemotherapy resistance of gliomas has been elusive. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role of EHZ2 on TMZ resistance of gliomas and the molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q) PCR, and western blot assay were performed for expressional analysis. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was applied to determine the TMZ sensitivity. EZH2-silencing lentivirus was generated for mechanic study. RESULTS: EZH2 was overexpressed in gliomas both at the transcriptional and protein levels. EZH2 level in glioma cell lines was positively correlated with resistance to TMZ, represented by the 50% inhibition rate (IC50). Moreover, there was increased TMZ sensitivity in EZH2-inhibited glioma cells than in the control cells. Furthermore, we determined that PARP1 was a common molecule among the downregulated DNA repair proteins in both U251 and U87 glioma cell lines after EZH2 inhibition. Specifically, we observed a spontaneous increase of PARP1 expression with TMZ treatment and interestingly, the increase of PARP1 could be also reduced by EZH2 inhibition in the glioma cells. Finally, combined treatment with lentivirus-induced EZH2 inhibition and a PARP1 inhibitor dramatically enhanced TMZ cytotoxicity compared with either one alone. CONCLUSION: EZH2-PARP-1 signaling axis is possibly responsible for the chemoresistance of gliomas to TMZ. Simultaneously inhibiting these two genes may improve the outcome of TMZ chemotherapy.

Nano-microplastic and agro-ecosystems: a mini-review.

Plastics' unavoidable and rampant usage causes their trash to be extensively dispersed in the atmosphere and land due to its numerous characteristics. Because of extensive plastic usage and increased manufacturing, there is insufficient recycling and a large accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. In addition to their wide availability in the soil and atmosphere, micro- and nanoplastics are becoming contaminants worldwide. Agro-ecosystem functioning and plant development are being negatively impacted in several ways by the contamination of the environment and farmland soils with MPs (<5 mm) and nanoplastics (<1 µm). The contributions of some recyclable organic waste and plastic film mulching and plastic particle deposition in agroecosystems may be substantial; therefore, it is crucial to understand any potentially hazardous or undesirable impacts of these pollutants on agroecosystems. The dissolution of bioplastics into micro- and nano-particles (MBPs and NBPs) has not been considered in recent studies, which focus primarily on agro-ecosystems. It is essential to properly understand the distribution, concentration, fate, and main source of MPs, NPS, MBPs, and NBPs in agroecosystems. Based on the limited findings, understanding the knowledge gap of environmental impact from micro and nanoplastic in farming systems does not equate to the absence of such evidence. It reveals the considerations for addressing the gaps to effectively protect global food safety and security in the near future.

LncRNA109897-JrCCR4-JrTLP1b forms a positive feedback loop to regulate walnut resistance against anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

Walnut anthracnose induced by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a disastrous disease that severely restricts the development of the walnut industry in China. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in adaptive responses to disease, but their roles in the regulation of walnut anthracnose resistance response are not well defined. In this study, transcriptome analysis demonstrated that a C. gloeosporioides-induced lncRNA, lncRNA109897, located upstream from the target gene JrCCR4, upregulated the expression of JrCCR4. JrCCR4 interacted with JrTLP1b and promoted its transcriptional activity. In turn, JrTLP1b induced the transcription of lncRNA109897 to promote its expression. Meanwhile, transient expression in walnut leaves and stable transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana further proved that lncRNA, JrCCR4, and JrTLP1b improve the resistance of C. gloeosporioides. Collectively, these findings provide insights into the mechanism by which the lncRNA109897-JrCCR4-JrTLP1b transcriptional cascade regulates the resistance of walnut to anthracnose.

Integrative Transcriptomics and Proteomics Analysis Reveals Immune Response Process in Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus-1-Infected Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes bovine viral diarrhea-mucosal disease, inflicting substantial economic losses upon the global cattle industry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are the central hub for immune responses during host-virus infection and have been recognized as crucial targets for BVDV infection. In order to elucidate the dynamics of host-BVDV-1 interaction, this study harnessed RNA-seq and iTRAQ methods to acquire an extensive dataset of transcriptomics and proteomics data from samples of BVDV-1-infected PBMCs at the 12-h post-infection mark. When compared to mock-infected PBMCs, we identified 344 differentially expressed genes (DEGs: a total of 234 genes with downregulated expression and 110 genes with upregulated expression) and 446 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs: a total of 224 proteins with downregulated expression and 222 proteins with upregulated expression). Selected DEGs and DEPs were validated through quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and parallel reaction monitoring. Gene ontology annotation and KEGG enrichment analysis underscored the significant enrichment of DEGs and DEPs in various immunity-related signaling pathways, including antigen processing and presentation, complement and coagulation cascades, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, among others. Further analysis unveiled that those DEGs and DEPs with downregulated expression were predominantly associated with pathways such as complement and coagulation cascades, the interleukin-17 signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. Conversely, upregulated DEGs and DEPs were chiefly linked to metabolic pathways, oxidative phosphorylation, complement and coagulation cascades, and the RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway. These altered genes and proteins shed light on the intense host-virus conflict within the immune realm. Our transcriptomics and proteomics data constitute a significant foundation for delving further into the interaction mechanism between BVDV and its host.

Surgical Outcomes of Symptomatic Intramedullary Spinal Cord Cavernous Malformations: Analysis of Consecutive Cases in a Single Center.

OBJECTIVE: Intramedullary spinal cavernous malformations (ISCMs) are rare vascular lesions of the spinal cord with unclear natural history and controversy over treatment. This study aimed to report a series of symptomatic ISCMs underwent microsurgical management to illustrate the natural history, clinical presentation, and surgical outcomes and to evaluate factors associated with hemorrhage events and neurological prognosis. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included 29 consecutive patients with whose demographic, symptomology, imaging, neurological, and surgical data were collected. The risk for hemorrhage events and factors affecting surgical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were 12 female (41.4%) and 17 male patients (58.6%), with an average age of 45.2 years (range, 17-69 years). The mean size of the lesion was 9.7 mm (range, 3-20 mm). Most patients had a bowel or/and bladder dysfunction symptom (n = 11, 37.9%), followed by sensory deficits (n = 5, 17.2%), gait disturbance (n = 5, 17.2%), pain (n = 4, 13.8%), and weakness (n = 4, 13.8%), most (n = 15, 51.7%) with a chronic onset. All patients received total resection without rehemorrhages after surgical resection in follow-up. Sixty-five point five percent patients (n = 19) improved, 13.8% (n = 4) remained stable, 20.7% (n = 6) got worsen. The overall annual hemorrhage risk was 2.1% per patient-year. A total of 27 hemorrhages occurred in the 18 patients, of which rehemorrhage rate increased to 50.0% (n = 9) with a previous history of hemorrhage. Patients with smaller lesion sizes were more likely to have hemorrhage or rehemorrhage events (p = 0.008). Recurrent hemorrhage of the lesions was a risk factor for neurological outcomes (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: The risk of rehemorrhage was significantly increased in symptomatic ISCM patients with a previous history of hemorrhage. Rehemorrhage was a risk factor for neurological outcomes. Patients can benefit from microsurgical treatment to avoid rehemorrhage and further neurological deterioration.

A plasma 3-marker microRNA biosignature distinguishes spinal tuberculosis from other spinal destructive diseases and pulmonary tuberculosis.

Accurate spinal tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis is of utmost importance for adequately treating and managing the disease. Given the need for additional diagnostic tools, this study aimed to investigate the utility of host serum miRNA biomarkers for diagnosing and distinguishing spinal tuberculosis (STB) from pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and other spinal diseases of different origins (SDD). For a case-controlled investigation, a total of 423 subjects were voluntarily recruited, with 157 cases of STB, 83 cases of SDD, 30 cases of active PTB, and 153 cases of healthy controls (CONT) in 4 clinical centers. To discover the STB-specific miRNA biosignature, a high-throughput miRNA profiling study was performed in the pilot study with 12 cases of STB and 8 cases of CONT using the Exiqon miRNA PCR array platform. A bioinformatics study identified that the 3-plasma miRNA combination (hsa-miR-506-3p, hsa-miR-543, hsa-miR-195-5p) might serve as a candidate biomarker for STB. The subsequent training study developed the diagnostic model using multivariate logistic regression in training data sets, including CONT(n=100) and STB (n=100). Youden's J index determined the optimal classification threshold. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that 3-plasma miRNA biomarker signatures have an area under the curve (AUC) = 0.87, sensitivity = 80.5%, and specificity = 80.0%. To explore the possible potential to distinguish spinal TB from PDB and other SDD, the diagnostic model with the same classification threshold was applied to the analysis of the independent validation data set, including CONT(n=45), STB(n=45), brucellosis spondylitis (BS, n=30), PTB (n=30), spinal tumor (ST, n=30) and pyogenic spondylitis (PS, n=23). The results showed diagnostic model based on three miRNA signatures could discriminate the STB from other SDD groups with sensitivity=80%, specificity=96%, Positive Predictive Value (PPV)=84%, Negative Predictive Value (NPV)=94%, the total accuracy rate of 92%. These results indicate that this 3-plasma miRNA biomarker signature could effectively discriminate the STB from other spinal destructive diseases and pulmonary tuberculosis. The present study shows that the diagnostic model based on 3-plasma miRNA biomarker signature (hsa-miR-506-3p, hsa-miR-543, hsa-miR-195-5p) may be used for medical guidance to discriminate the STB from other spinal destructive disease and pulmonary tuberculosis.

Impact of intercropping grass on the soil rhizosphere microbial community and soil ecosystem function in a walnut orchard.

The intercropping of grass in orchards has beneficial effects on soil properties and soil microbial communities and is an important soil management measure for improving orchard productivity and land-use efficiency. However, few studies have explored the effects of grass intercropping on rhizosphere microorganisms in walnut orchards. In this study, we explored the microbial communities of clear tillage (CT), walnut/ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) (Lp), and walnut/hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) (Vv) intercropping system using MiSeq sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. The results revealed that the composition and structure of the soil bacterial community changed significantly with walnut/Vv intercropping compared to CT and walnut/Lp intercropping. Moreover, the walnut/hairy vetch intercropping system had the most complex connections between bacterial taxa. In addition, we found that the soil microorganisms of walnut/Vv intercropping had a higher potential for nitrogen cycling and carbohydrate metabolism, which may be related to the functions of Burkholderia, Rhodopseudomonas, Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium, Paraburkholderia, and Flavobacterium. Overall, this study provided a theoretical basis for understanding the microbial communities associated with grass intercropping in walnut orchards, providing better guidance for the management of walnut orchards.

Glucosinolates or erucic acid, which one contributes more to volatile flavor of fragrant rapeseed oil?

This study aims to investigate the effect of three rapeseed varieties with different erucic acid (EA) and glucosinolates (GLSs) content, and different degumming methods on the volatile flavor profiles of fragrant rapeseed oil (FRO). A total of 171 volatile compounds were identified by headspace solid-phase microextraction combine with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS), and 87 compounds were identified as key odorants owing to their relative odor activity values (ROAV) ≥ 1. Methyl furfuryl disulfide was identified in rapeseed oil for the first time, with highest ROAVs (up to 26805.46). The volatile flavor profile of rapeseed oil was affected by GLSs content to a certain extent rather than EA content. Rapeseed varieties with low-EA and high-GLSs are suitable to produce FRO. Silicon dioxide adsorbing was an effective alternative method to water degumming in FRO. This work provided a new idea for selection of raw materials and degumming methods in FRO production.

Comprehensive use of a high-frequency electric knife, balloon dilatation, and cryotherapy for tuberculous central tracheobronchial cicatricial constriction.

BACKGROUND: To examine the benefits of interventional therapy for cicatricial constriction using a high-frequency electric knife, saccular dilatation, and cryotherapy. METHODS: This case series included patients with central tracheobronchial cicatricial constriction admitted to the Department of Tuberculosis of Henan Provincial Chest Hospital from July 2018 to March 2021 and treated with bronchoscopic interventional therapies based on systemic anti-tuberculosis treatment. RESULTS: 96 patients were included, in whom 443 interventional therapies were performed. The total mid-(3 months) and long-term (12 months) effective rates were both 100%. The internal diameter of tracheobronchial stenosis increased after the operation, and the difference was statistically significant (all < 0.05). After interventional treatment, patients' symptoms of choking sensation in the chest and shortness of breath were relieved. Respiratory function was obviously improved. The ratios of hemorrhage, granulation hyperplasia, chest pain, and postoperative fever were 58.2%, 42.6%, 31.3%, and 26.7%, respectively. No focal transmission and progression of tuberculosis occurred, and no serious complications were observed. CONCLUSION: The use of a high-frequency electric knife, saccular dilatation, and/or cryotherapy according to the pathological stage of the tracheobronchial cicatricial constriction is feasible, with good mid- and long-term curative effects and few complications.

Evaluation of Different Tools of Precision Finishing for Sun Gear with Inner-Outer Tooth Shapes.

Aiming at the technical difficulty of poor teeth accuracy of the extruded sun gears, an innovative precision finishing approach was developed as the subsequent process of producing high-quality sun gears, and three finishing tools were designed, namely mandrel with gap, mandrel without gap and interference mandrel. A finite element prediction method was proposed by using the post-processing toolbox of DEFORM software to study the distribution laws of outer and inner teeth deviations of the reshaped sun gear. Moreover, the effects of various precision finishing tools on the formability of sun gear (such as tooth deformation, tool stress and tooth accuracy) were investigated. The results show that the tooth accuracy class of the reshaped outer teeth in profile and helix were seventh and eighth, respectively, and the total M-value error of the inner teeth was decreased to 72.3 µm and the reduction ratio was 73.8% by adopting the interference mandrel, which indicates that the finishing effect of the interference mandrel was better than that of mandrels for both with gap and without gap, and the forming accuracy of the finished teeth could be considerably improved. Therefore, the interference mandrel can be recommended as the optimum finishing tool in the manufacture of precision sun gears. The simulated results were in good agreement with experimental ones within a maximum error of 14.4%, which proves the practicability of the sizing approach and the dependability of the finite element prediction method.

Genomic and transcriptomic analyses provide insights into valuable fatty acid biosynthesis and environmental adaptation of yellowhorn.

Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium) is an oil-bearing tree species growing naturally in poor soil. The kernel of yellowhorn contains valuable fatty acids like nervonic acid. However, the genetic basis underlying the biosynthesis of valued fatty acids and adaptation to harsh environments is mainly unexplored in yellowhorn. Here, we presented a haplotype-resolved chromosome-scale genome assembly of yellowhorn with the size of 490.44 Mb containing scaffold N50 of 34.27 Mb. Comparative genomics, in combination with transcriptome profiling analyses, showed that expansion of gene families like long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase and ankyrins contribute to yellowhorn fatty acid biosynthesis and defense against abiotic stresses, respectively. By integrating genomic and transcriptomic data of yellowhorn, we found that the transcription of 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase gene XS04G00959 was consistent with the accumulation of nervonic and erucic acid biosynthesis, suggesting its critical regulatory roles in their biosynthesis. Collectively, these results enhance our understanding of the genetic basis underlying the biosynthesis of valuable fatty acids and adaptation to harsh environments in yellowhorn and provide foundations for its genetic improvement.

Remove Non-hydrated Phospholipids in Okra Seed Oil by Silicon Dioxide.

Water degumming, mainly removes hydrated phospholipids, is the most common method applying in traditional edible oil production. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) adsorption has been proved as a green and efficient method for removing phospholipids from rapeseed oil. But both methods exhibited poor effect on okra seed oil. Based on a hypothesis that SiO2 can adsorb non-hydrated phospholipids, removal effect of non-hydrated phospholipids in okra seed oil was studied. Single factor test and response surface design were used to optimize the SiO2 adsorbing process in water-degummed oil. Meanwhile, the qualities and flavor changes of okra seed oil before and after degumming were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the optimized degumming procedure was: 1.43% (w/w) of SiO2 added into the water-degummed oil, and the mixture was stirred at 33.52℃ for 30.47 min. The maximum non-hydrated phospholipids removal rate reached 43.3%. Comparing with crude okra seed oil, the optimal degumming method resulted in the increase of peroxide value and the decrease of induction period (IP) of the oil. However, it had the same safety as the water and the SiO2 degumming methods. It could retain 62% of total phenols, which was less than the water and the SiO2 degumming methods (both about 79%). The differences of E-nose sensors among oils were most likely caused by the pyrazines. It is necessary to study the composition and properties of phospholipids and develop new methods to further improve the phospholipids removal rate of okra seed oil.

Ecological and human health risk assessment of heavy metals based on their source apportionment in cropland soils around an e-waste dismantling site, Southeast China.

An accurate understanding of soil heavy metal (HM) pollution characteristics and source apportionment, and a recognition of the major factors influencing ecological and human health risks (HHRs) are essential for soil HM pollution control and remediation. In this study, 212 surface soils (0-20 cm) and 15 profile soils (0-100 cm) were collected from cropland soils around an e-waste dismantling site in Taizhou city, Zhejiang Province, China. Spatial analysis was used to evaluate the pollution characteristics of HMs (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr and Ni). Principal component analysis (PCA) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) were also conducted to quantify their source contributions. A modified source-oriented HHR assessment integrated source-oriented ecological risk and source-oriented HHR assessment was developed to describe the major factors that influenced HHR. Results showed that 94.81 %, 88.21 %, 36.79 % and 47.17 % of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, respectively, in surface soils exceeded their screening values in the soil environmental quality standard for agricultural soils (GB 15618-2018). Spatial analysis indicated that high values of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were distributed near the e-waste dismantling site. The results of PCA and PMF showed that the primary sources of HMs in the study area are e-waste dismantling activities, natural sources and atmospheric deposition, which contribute 27 %, 46 % and 27 % of HM pollutants, respectively. The results of source-oriented ecological risk and HHR assessment indicated that e-waste dismantling activities and natural sources were primary sources for ecological risk and HHR. However, source-oriented HHR assessment may underestimate the contribution of e-waste dismantling activities by ignoring HM pollution levels. The modified source-oriented HHR assessment highlights that e-waste dismantling activities were major factor that affect noncarcinogenic risk. This study could provide important data support for subsequent environmental remediation of soil HM pollution in cropland soils around e-waste dismantling sites.

Overexpression of NNMT in Glioma Aggravates Tumor Cell Progression: An Emerging Therapeutic Target.

PURPOSE: Increasing evidence has revealed that nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) is a key factor influencing the prognosis of tumors. The present study aimed to investigate the role of NNMT in glioma and to elucidate the associated functional mechanisms. METHODS: Clinical samples were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting to evaluate NNMT expression in glioma and normal brain tissues. The correlation between NNMT expression and glioma was analyzed using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Additionally, NNMT was knocked down in two types of glioma cells, U87 and U251, to evaluate the invasive ability of these cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate NNMT knockdown in the cells. Furthermore, ELISA was used to determine the balance between nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen (NAD/NADH ratio), which verified the altered methylation patterns in the cells. The glioma xenograft mouse models were used to verify the regulatory role of NNMT, GAP43, and SIRT1. RESULTS: Analysis based on our clinical glioma samples and TCGA database revealed that overexpression of NNMT was associated with poor prognosis of patients. Knockdown of NNMT reduced the invasive ability of glioma cells, and downregulation of its downstream protein GAP43 occurred due to altered cellular methylation caused by NNMT overexpression. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis confirmed that NNMT modulated the NAD-related signaling pathway and showed a negative association between NNMT and SIRT1. Moreover, the regulatory roles of NNMT, GAP43, and SIRT1 were confirmed in glioma xenograft mouse models. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of NNMT causes abnormal DNA methylation through regulation of the NAD/NADH ratio, which in turn leads to the downregulation of GAP43 and SIRT1, eventually altering the biological behavior of tumor cells.

JrWRKY21 interacts with JrPTI5L to activate the expression of JrPR5L for resistance to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in walnut.

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) anthracnose, induced by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is a catastrophic disease impacting the walnut industry in China. Although WRKY transcription factors play a key role in plant immunity, the function of the WRKY gene family in walnut resistance to C. gloeosporioides is not clear. Here, through transcriptome sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), we identified a differentially expressed gene, JrWRKY21, that was significantly upregulated upon C. gloeosporioides infection in walnut. JrWRKY21 positively regulated walnut resistance to C. gloeosporioides, as demonstrated by virus-induced gene silencing and transient gene overexpression. Additionally, JrWRKY21 directly interacted with the transcriptional activator of the pathogenesis-related (PR) gene JrPTI5L in vitro and in vivo, and could bind to the W-box in the JrPTI5L promoter for transcriptional activation. Moreover, JrPTI5L could induce the expression of the PR gene JrPR5L through binding to the GCCGAC motif in the promoter. Our data support that JrWRKY21 can indirectly activate the expression of the JrPR5L gene via the WRKY21-PTI5L protein complex to promote resistance against C. gloeosporioides in walnut. The results will enhance our understanding of the mechanism behind walnut disease resistance and facilitate the genetic improvement of walnut by molecular breeding for anthracnose-resistant varieties.

Comparisons of Supine Roll Test and Alternative Positional Tests in HC-BPPV Lateralization.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of the supine roll test (SRT) and alternative positional tests (APTs) including the bow and lean test (BLT), pseudo-spontaneous nystagmus (PSN), and lying down nystagmus (LDN) to identify the affected side in horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HC-BPPV). METHODS: In our prospective study, we performed a testing profile (PSN, BLT, LDN, SRT) on 59 HC-BPPV patients using videonystagmography. We compared the accuracy and sensitivity of these tests in HC-BPPV lateralization. Data from 30 healthy patients were collected as the control group. RESULTS: When performing positional tests, the elicited nystagmus coinciding with Ewald's second law was defined as a "positive response". In 44 patients with geotropic nystagmus, the rates of positive response in LDN, PSN, and BLT were 22/44 (50%), 19/44 (43%), and 18/44 (41%), respectively, while in 15 patients with apogeotropic nystagmus, the positive response rates of these three tests were 10/15 (66.7%), 9/15 (60%), and 4/15 (27.00%), respectively. The sensitivity of LDN (54.38%) was higher than that of PSN (47.37%) and BLT (38.60%) but lower than that of SRT (89.47%). Notably, the accuracy rate of PSN (71.8%) was higher than that of the other APTs. In 6 patients with symmetrical nysgtamus during the roll test, 5 patients showed a positive response in both LDN and BLT (83.34%), whereas 4 patients showed a positive response in PSN (66.67%). CONCLUSION: All positional tests are helpful for determining the affected side of HC-BPPV, but SRT carries the highest accuracy of lateralization followed by PSN.

MicroRNA and Degradome Profiling Uncover Defense Response of Fraxinus velutina Torr. to Salt Stress.

Soil salinization is a major environmental problem that seriously threatens the sustainable development of regional ecosystems and local economies. Fraxinus velutina Torr. is an excellent salt-tolerant tree species, which is widely planted in the saline-alkaline soils in China. A growing body of evidence shows that microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the defense response of plants to salt stress; however, how miRNAs in F. velutina exert anti-salt stress remains unclear. We previously identified two contrasting F. velutina cuttings clones, salt-tolerant (R7) and salt-sensitive (S4) and found that R7 exhibits higher salt tolerance than S4. To identify salt-responsive miRNAs and their target genes, the leaves and roots of R7 and S4 exposed to salt stress were subjected to miRNA and degradome sequencing analysis. The results showed that compared with S4, R7 showed 89 and 138 differentially expressed miRNAs in leaves and roots, respectively. Specifically, in R7 leaves, miR164d, miR171b/c, miR396a, and miR160g targeting NAC1, SCL22, GRF1, and ARF18, respectively, were involved in salt tolerance. In R7 roots, miR396a, miR156a/b, miR8175, miR319a/d, and miR393a targeting TGA2.3, SBP14, GR-RBP, TCP2/4, and TIR1, respectively, participated in salt stress responses. Taken together, the findings presented here revealed the key regulatory network of miRNAs in R7 responding to salt stress, thereby providing new insights into improving salt tolerance of F. velutina through miRNA manipulation.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Unravels Defense Pathways of Fraxinus velutina Torr Against Salt Stress.

Fraxinus velutina Torr with high salt tolerance has been widely grown in saline lands in the Yellow River Delta, China. However, the salt-tolerant mechanisms of F. velutina remain largely elusive. Here, we identified two contrasting cutting clones of F. velutina, R7 (salt-tolerant), and S4 (salt-sensitive) by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics (Fv/Fm ratio) in the excised leaves and physiological indexes in roots or leaves under salt treatment. To further explore the salt resistance mechanisms, we compared the transcriptomes of R7 and S4 from leaf and root tissues exposed to salt stress. The results showed that when the excised leaves of S4 and R7 were, respectively, exposed to 250 mM NaCl for 48 h, Fv/Fm ratio decreased significantly in S4 compared with R7, confirming that R7 is more tolerant to salt stress. Comparative transcriptome analysis showed that salt stress induced the significant upregulation of stress-responsive genes in R7, making important contributions to the high salt tolerance. Specifically, in the R7 leaves, salt stress markedly upregulated key genes involved in plant hormone signaling and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways; in the R7 roots, salt stress induced the upregulation of main genes involved in proline biosynthesis and starch and sucrose metabolism. In addition, 12 genes encoding antioxidant enzyme peroxidase were all significantly upregulated in both leaves and roots. Collectively, our findings revealed the crucial defense pathways underlying high salt tolerance of R7 through significant upregulation of some key genes involving metabolism and hub signaling pathways, thus providing novel insights into salt-tolerant F. velutina breeding.