ZmSPL10, ZmSPL14 and ZmSPL26 act together to promote stigmatic papilla formation in maize through regulating auxin signaling and ZmWOX3A expression.

Maize silk is a specialized type of stigma, covered with numerous papillae for pollen grain capture. However, the developmental process of stigmatic papillae and the underlying regulatory mechanisms have remained largely unknown. Here, we combined the cytological, genetic and molecular studies to demonstrate that three homologous genes ZmSPL10, ZmSPL14 and ZmSPL26 play a central role in promoting stigmatic papilla formation in maize. We show that their triple knockout mutants are nearly complete lack of stigmatic papilla, resulting in a severe reduction in kernel setting. Cellular examination reveals that stigmatic papilla is developed from a precursor cell, which is the smaller daughter cell resulting from asymmetric cell division of a silk epidermal cell. In situ hybridization shows that ZmSPL10, ZmSPL14 and their target genes SPI1, ZmPIN1b, ZmARF28 and ZmWOX3A are preferentially expressed in the precursor cells of stigmatic papillae. Moreover, ZmSPL10, ZmSPL14 and ZmSPL26 directly bind to the promoters of SPI1, ZmPIN1b, ZmARF28 and ZmWOX3A and promote their expression. Further, Zmwox3a knockout mutants display severe defects in stigmatic papilla formation and reduced seed setting. Collectively, our results demonstrate that ZmSPL10, ZmSPL14 and ZmSPL26 act together to promote stigmatic papilla development through regulating auxin signaling and ZmWOX3A expression.

ZmSPL10/14/26 are required for epidermal hair cell fate specification on maize leaf.

The epidermal hair and stomata are two types of specialized structures on the surface of plant leaves. On mature maize leaves, stomatal complexes and three types of hairs are distributed in a stereotyped pattern on the adaxial epidermis. However, the spatiotemporal relationship between epidermal hair and stomata development and the regulatory mechanisms governing their formation in maize remain largely unknown. Here, we report that three homologous ZmSPL transcription factors, ZmSPL10, ZmSPL14 and ZmSPL26, act in concert to promote epidermal hair fate on maize leaf. Cytological analyses revealed that Zmspl10/14/26 triple mutants are completely glabrous, but possess ectopic stomatal files. Strikingly, the precursor cells for prickle and bicellular hairs are transdifferentiated into ectopic stomatal complexes in the Zmspl10/14/26 mutants. Molecular analyses demonstrated that ZmSPL10/14/26 bind directly to the promoter of a WUSCHEL-related homeobox gene, ZmWOX3A, and upregulate its expression in the hair precursor cells. Moreover, several auxin-related genes are downregulated in the Zmspl10/14/26 triple mutants. Our results suggest that ZmSPL10/14/26 play a key role in promoting epidermal hair fate on maize leaves, possibly through regulating ZmWOX3A and auxin-related gene expression, and that the fates of epidermal hairs and stomata are switchable.

[Identification and quality evaluation of Tripterygium wilfordii].

With the extensive clinical application of Tripterygium wilfordii, there are many counterfeit products on the market. Traditional technology can not effectively identify the authenticity of the traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, a strategy of accurate identification and quality evaluation of Tripterygium based on DNA barcode and chemical fingerprint spectrum was established. Based on DNA barcode technology, HMMer annotation method of hidden Markov model and K2P model were used to analyze genetic distance.BLAST1, nearest distance and phylogenetic tree (NJ-tree) methods were used to assess the identification efficiency of the ITS2 barcode. The fingerprint of 27 T. wilfordii was established by UPLC-PDA method, and the similarity of the fingerprint of different sources was evaluated. The main components of T. wilfordii were determined by LC-MS/MS. The results revealed that the intraspecific genetic distances of T. wilfordii were lower than the interspecific genetic distances between T. wilfordii and its adulterants. The results of similarity search showed that ITS2 sequence was used to identify T. wilfordii and its adulterants. The clustering of T. wilfordii and its adulterants was clear in the tree of NJ cluster, and 12 of 27 samples were identified as true T. wilfordii.The chemical fingerprint spectrum research indicates that the feature one region can distinguish the false product of tripterygium glycosides more intuitively. The cluster analysis of HCA-thermal map showed that the contents of six active components of T. wilfordii from different habitats were significantly different, which could be used to evaluate the quality of T. wilfordii. This paper is of guiding significance for the accurate identification and quality evaluation of Tripterygium medicinal plants.

[Recent advances in analysis of endogenous toxic components in traditional Chinese medicines].

Endogenous toxic components have become an important topic in the field of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Since the endogenous toxic components in TCMs are often used as clinical effective components, the safety and effectiveness of endogenous toxic substances has become an important part of the research of TCMs. In this paper, the classification and evaluation criteria of toxic Chinese medicinal materials are described, and the analytical methods of endogenous components in TCMs are summarized and expounded base on with the techniques of chromatography, spectroscopy, immunoassay, and so on. On this basis, the problems in terms of endogenous toxic components are analyzed and discussed. This paper could provide ideas and methods for the evaluation of the validity and safety of TCMs containing endogenous toxic components.

Lead, zinc tolerance mechanism and phytoremediation potential of Alcea rosea (Linn.) Cavan. and Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) Ser. and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid effect.

In this study, we aimed to elucidate the defense mechanism of Alcea rosea (Linn.) Cavan. and Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) Ser. against the single and compound toxicity of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) along with the synergistic effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in accumulation of metals in these two species. The two plant species were subjected to single metal treatment (Pb 1000 mg kg-1, Zn 600 mg kg-1) and compound metal treatment (Pb 1000 mg kg-1 + Zn 600 mg kg-1) in a greenhouse. Besides, different levels of EDTA were applied (2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mmol kg-1) with compound metal treatment. Several physiological and biochemical parameters, including plant photosynthetic parameters, enzymatic antioxidant system, accumulation concentration of metals, and subcellular distribution were estimated. The results showed that the antioxidative enzymes, proline, root morphological changes, and metal localization all played important roles in resisting Pb and Zn toxicity. A notable difference was that Zn was concentrated in the roots (58.5%) of H. macrophylla to reduce the damage but in the leaves (38.5%) of A. rosea to promote photosynthesis and resist the toxicity of metals. In addition, Zn reduced the toxicity of Pb to plants by regulating photosynthesis, Pb absorption and Pb distribution in subcells. The biological concentration factors (BCF) and translocation factors (TF) for Pb in two plants were less than 1, indicating that they could be considered as phytostabilizators in Pb-contaminated soils. Moreover, EDTA could enhance the enrichment and transport capacity of Pb and Zn to promote the phytoremediation effect. In summary, both plants have a certain application potential for repairing Pb-Zn-contaminated soil.

Benefit Effect of Sublingual Dust Mite Drops on the Control of Asthma in Children.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of sublingual dust mite drops on inhaled corticosteroid replacement and its effect on asthma control level. METHODS: Two hundred children with asthma who had received regular treatment for one year or more were divided into the observation group (71 cases) and control group (89 cases) according to whether sublingual dust mite drops were added on the basis of conventional treatment drugs. After treatment, C-ACT score, VAS score, drug score, lung function, exhaled nitric oxide level, and "ICS avoidance" were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Before treatment, FVC and PEF25 scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. There was no significant difference in other indicators between the two groups. There was no statistical significance in each index between the single allergic group and the multiple allergic group. Both the observation group and the control group showed statistically significant differences in each index before and after treatment. C-ACT score, FVC, FEV1, PEF, PEF75, PEF50, PEF25, MMEF75/MMEF25 after treatment were all higher than before treatment in both groups; VAS score, drug score and FeNO after treatment were all lower than before treatment. Except PEF, the difference between the observation group and the control group before and after treatment was statistically significant. Among them, after treatment, the increased values of C-ACT, FVC, FEV1, PEF75, PEF50, PEF25, MMEF75/MMEF25 in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, while the decreased values of VAS score, drug score and FeNO were higher than those in the control group. The differences were statistically significant. After treatment, the increased value of FEV1 in the single allergic group was higher than that in the multiple allergic group, and the difference was statistically significant. There was no statistical significance in the changes in other indexes between the two groups before and after treatment. The ICS avoidance rate in the observation group was 57.4% (58/100), higher than that in the control group (17.0%, 17/100), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=35.108, P < 0.01). The ICS avoidance rate was 55.6% (15/27) in the single allergic group and 58.1% (43/74) in the multiple allergic group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (χ2=0.053, P=0.818). CONCLUSION: Sublingual dust mite drops can significantly improve the asthma control levels in children with asthma and have the effect of inhaled corticosteroid replacement.

The FeNO Normal Value Analysis of Healthy Children Aged 6-15 Years Old in Chengdu.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) normal value of healthy children, and provide a reliable theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis. METHODS: 481 healthy children aged 6-15-y-old in three primary schools in Chengdu were subjected for FeNO detection. Through the statistical analysis, the upper limit normal value of FeNO among the healthy children was obtained, and the related influencing factors of FeNO value were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 481 heathy children, the geometric mean value of FeNO was 14.59 ppb (minimum value was 5 ppb, maximum value was 69 ppb), and the upper limit of normal value was 28 ppb. The age, height, and weight all have significant correlations with FeNO. CONCLUSION: The upper limit of FeNO in healthy children aged 6-15-y-old was 28.0 ppb. Inflammation in the airway was suggested when the value of FeNO exceeds 28.0 ppb. Furthermore, the influencing factors such as age, weight, height must be considered.

A delayed diagnosis of atypical immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, and X-linked (IPEX) syndrome is a rare monogenic autoimmune disease, which is caused by mutations in the forkhead box protein 3 gene, can affect various systems. The typical clinical manifestations of IPEX are enteropathy, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and skin diseases. However, some atypical phenotypes can easily be misdiagnosed clinically. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 9-year-and-7-month old patient suffered from recurrent wheezing, hematochezia, and eczematous dermatitis at the age of six months, but did not have any manifestations of autoimmune endocrinopathy. The patient was treated with glucocorticoids for more than six years, and he developed bronchiectasis. DIAGNOSIS: Whole exome sequencing revealed a hemizygous pathogenic mutation c.1010G>A, p. (Arg337Gln) in Forkhead box protein 3 gene (NM_014009.3). INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with oral mycophenolate mofetil combined with inhaled budesonide formoterol for six months after diagnosis. OUTCOMES: The respiratory symptoms of the patient seemed to be controlled but eczematous dermatitis progressed, which led the patient to give up the treatment. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and treatment of IPEX are crucial. Lung injury may be a major problem in the later stages of atypical IPEX, and mycophenolate mofetil seems to control the respiratory symptoms, but could induce significant skin side effects.

Effects of sublingual-specific immunotherapy on pulmonary function and exhaled nitric oxide levels in asthmatic children with and without allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis are common chronic respiratory diseases in children. The prevalence rate of disease is increasing year by year. And avoid allergens, drug treatments and special immunotherapy (SIT) is the fundamental treatment for respiratory allergies diseases. But there are few comprehensive studies on the control level of asthma, improvement of lung function, and changes of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) after SLIT treatment in children with allergic asthma and rhinitis. METHODS: In all, 71 child asthma patients who received sublingual-specific immune therapy for 1 year or more were divided into an asthmatic rhinitis group (31 cases) and an asthma-alone group (40 cases). The two groups of patients were compared before and after treatment in terms of rhinitis symptom scores, daytime and nighttime asthma symptom scores, visual analog scale (VAS) score, drug score, pulmonary function, and exhaled nitric oxide level (FeNO). RESULTS: After treatment, daytime symptom scores, VAS scores, drug scores, and FeNO levels of the asthma-alone group were all lower than before treatment, and the lung function was significantly improved (P<0.05), while the difference in night symptom scores before and after treatment was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The lung function and FeNO level of children in the asthmatic rhinitis group were lower after treatment than before treatment, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The scores of rhinitis and VAS in the asthmatic rhinitis group were higher than those in the asthma-alone group, and the differences were statistically significant. There was no significant difference in other scores between the two groups. There was no significant difference in lung function and FeNO level between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: SLIT for children with or without allergic asthma or with or without rhinitis has a significant effect, but its effect on children with asthma combined with rhinitis is not superior to that of children with asthma alone.

Effects of Sublingual Duster Mite Drops on Lung Function and Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Children with Multiple and Single Allergic Respiratory Diseases.

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of sublingual immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides Farinae Drops in children with single and multiple respiratory allergic diseases. Methods: Seventy-one children with allergic respiratory diseases who had been treated with Dermatophagoides Farinae Drops for one year or more were divided into a single allergic group (12 cases) and multiple allergic group (59 cases). The rhinitis score, daytime and night symptom score of asthma, VAS score, drug score, pulmonary function, and FeNO level before and after treatment were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Results: The rhinitis score, night symptom score, VAS score, and drug score in the single allergic group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the daytime symptom score before and after treatment (p > 0.05). The rhinitis score, VAS score, and drug score in the multiple allergic group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the scores of daytime symptoms and nighttime symptoms before and after treatment (p > 0.05). In both the single allergic group and multiple allergic group, the pulmonary function indexes of the patients were significantly improved after treatment, and the FeNO after treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in scores, pulmonary function, and FeNO between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Sublingual specific immunotherapy is effective in treating multiple and single allergic respiratory diseases in children.

Rapid identification of triptolide in Tripterygium wilfordii products by gold immunochromatographic assay.

Triptolide colloidal gold immunoassay strip was prepared by using colloidal gold labeled monoclonal antibody purified with saturated ammonium sulfate, triptolide succinate-bovine serum albumin and sheep anti-mouse IgG for the first time in our lab. Under optimized conditions, the detection limit of TP strip prepared in this study were determined to be 1 µg/mL and the total analysis time (including sample preparation) was less than 50 min. Sixty-six batches of Tripterygium wilfordii (T. wilfordii) and its adulterations were analyzed. It was found that 28 batches of T. wilfordii were positive as detected by the strips and 38 batches were negative. The result of test strip detection was in consistent with that from the UFLC-ESI-MS/MS method. Gold immunochromatography assay was demonstrated as a rapid, cost-effective, reliable technique for on-site screening of T. wilfordii and its preparations. The prepared colloidal gold immunoassay strip can be conveniently used for rapid identification of triptolide containing products.

Development of a broad-specificity antibody-based immunoassay for triazines in ginger and the quantitative structure-activity relationship study of cross-reactive molecules by molecular modeling.

In the present study, molecular modeling and principle component analysis (PCA) were used to select appropriate haptens for group detection of triazine herbicides. Four new structures together with three reported triazine derivatives were chosen for the screening of immunizing and coating haptens. A total of 31 triazines coupled with a 3D-QSAR methodology were employed to investigate the relationship between antigen-antibody recognition and molecular structures, the results of which revealed that the antibodies may recognize triazines from the side of molecules with the distinguishing atom and a steric volume matching with the spatial structure of antibodies. Finally, a broad-specificity heterologous immunoassay was developed for determining 10 triazine herbicides in ginger, where the detection limits were 2.5-15.1 µg kg-1 and recoveries were 67.9-102.6%. This study may broaden insight into triazine-antibody interactions and benefit designing novel performance-enhanced antibodies. The developed immunoassay can be further used for triazine detection in other complicated matrices.

Determination of triazine herbicides and their metabolites in multiple medicinal parts of traditional Chinese medicines using streamlined pretreatment and UFLC-ESI-MS/MS.

A rapid, sensitive, and reliable ultra-fast liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-ESI-MS/MS) method was established and applied to simultaneous determination of 31 triazine herbicides and their metabolites in multiple medicinal parts of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). A streamlined pretreatment approach using one-step extraction and dilution was proposed, which provided high-throughput processing, excellent recovery, and negligible interference. Afterwards, multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) and information-dependent acquisition (IDA) triggered enhanced product ion spectra (EPI) was adopted to identify and quantify the targets in a single analysis. The optimized method was then validated according to the guidelines of the European Commission for the following parameters: Matrix effects, specificity, accuracy, precision, linearity, range, and stability. The LOD and LOQ for the 31 triazine herbicides were 0.1-10 µg kg-1 and 0.5-25 µg kg-1, respectively. Recoveries at three concentration levels were within 67.9-120.3% with an associated precision RSD <20%. Using the proposed approach, trazines herbicides were determined from 44 commercially available TCMs. The detection rate of triazine herbicides residues was 15.9% of the total samples. Among them, atrazine, simeton, and simetryn were found in the radix, herba, and seed TCMs with values far below the referenced maximum residue limits (MRLs), but no residues were detected in either the flos or fructus. Taken together, this method has the potential to provide a means for triazines screening in extensive matrices, thereby laying the foundation for pesticide registration on TCMs. Moreover, it has the potential to guide further triazine residue control in TCMs.

Positional isomeric tunable two Co(II) 6-connected 3-D frameworks with pentanuclear to binuclear units: structures, ion-exchange and magnetic properties.

Two new Co(II) based metal-organic frameworks, namely {[Co5(µ3-OH)2(m-pda)3(bix)4]·2ClO4}n (1) and {[Co2(p-pda)2(bix)2(H2O)]·H2O}n (2), were prepared by hydrothermal reactions of Co(II) salt with two isomeric dicarboxyl tectons 1,3-phenylenediacetic acid (m-pda) and 1,4-phenylenediacetic acid (p-pda), along with 1,3-bis(imidazol-L-ylmethyl)benzene (bix). Both complexes 1 and 2 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). 1 shows a 6-connected 3-D pcu cationic framework with pentanuclear [Co5(µ3-OH)2(COO)6(bix)2](2+) units, while 2 exhibits a 6-connected 3-D msw net based on [Co2(µ2-H2O)(COO)2](2+) clusters. The results indicate that the different dispositions of the carboxylic groups of dicarboxylates have an important effect on the overall coordination frameworks. Perchlorate anions in 1 can be partly exchanged by thiocyanate and azide anions, however they are unavailable to nitrate anions. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that both 1 and 2 show weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Co(II) ions.

A series of divalent metal coordination polymers based on isomeric tetracarboxylic acids: synthesis, structures and magnetic properties.

Five new coordination polymers, namely, [Mn(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)2(H2L1)]n (1), {[Co(btb)(H2O)2(H2L1)]·0.5H2O}n (2), [Co(bib)(H2O)2(H2L1)]n (3), [Ni2(bpm)(H2O)3(L2)]n (4), and {[Co2(H2O)3(OH)(HL2)]·H2O}n (5), (H4L1 = 1,1':2',1''-terphenyl-4,4',4'',5'-tetracarboxylic acid, H4L2 = 1,1':2',1''-terphenyl-3,3'',4',5'-tetracarboxylic acid, 2,2'-bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine, btb = 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butane, bib = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-yl)butane, bpm = bis(4-pyridyl)amine), have been obtained under hydrothermal conditions. Complex 1 exhibits a 3D supramolecular framework based on 1D chains. Both complexes 2 and 3 are 3D supramolecular frameworks constructed from 1D zig-zag chains. Complex 4 features a 3D tetra-nodal (3,4,4,5)-connected architecture containing 1D µ-COO bridged chains with (5(2)·6(2)·7.9)(5(2)·6(4)·7(3)·8)2(5(2)·6)2(6(3)·7(2)·9) topology. Complex 5 shows a 3D penta-nodal (3,4,4,6,6)-connected net containing 1D µ-OH/µ-COO bridged chains and mononuclear Co(II) nodes with a (4(2)·6(3)·8)(4(3))2(4(4)·6(2))2(4(4)·6(6)·8(5))2(4(4)·6(7)·8(4)) topology. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that complexes 2 and 3 show antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Co(II) ions, whereas 4 is a ferromagnetic system.

[Sequence analysis of varicella-zoster virus gE gene in varicella-zoster virus strains with different clades].

To analyze the gE gene sequence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) strains of different clades and subclades currently circulating in China. Eighteen skin lesion fluid swabs or skin scab pieces from patients with chickenpox or shingles were obtained from Beijing, Changchun, Lhasa and Urumqi between December 2010 and June 2011. The genotype of the virus strains was determined by a group of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in 15 ORFs, and the full-length gE genes of 18 strains representing all the clades in the study was amplified by PCR and sequenced. In addition to the synonymous mutations and non-synonymous mutations that were reported in the literature, there were 3 novel non-synonymous mutations (C56T, C1109T, C917A) and 4 new synonymous mutations (C54T, T1075C, T816C, G279A) found in the 8 strains analyzed. We found the VZV strains of clade 5 in Xinjiang for the first time,and the genotypes of some VZV strains circulating in Chagnchun could not be determined by the present methods. The analysis of gE gene sequences,revealed a novel non-synonymous mutations in the e1 and c1 epitopes, corresponding to the amino acid change of serine to tyrosine.

[Study on the risk factors and characteristics on childhood sexual abuses among female students in a college].

OBJECTIVE: To study the risk factors and abusers' characteristics on childhood sexual abuses among female students to provide reference data for preventive measures on child sexual abuse. METHODS: Annonymous questionnaire survey of 701 adult female students in a college about their personal experience on childhood sexual abuses, their home conditions and abusers' characteristics. RESULTS: A total number of 701 female students were surveyed. 115 (22.11%) experienced non-physical contact sexual abuses before the age of 18, including 26 (3.71%) who suffered from attempted and 8 (1.14%) were forced with genital or anal sexual intercourse. 117 (16.69%) said they had suffered from sexual abuse before the age of 16. Most abusers were males (99.4%) and only a small percentage of them (3.2%) used violence. Most non-physical contact sexual abuses were from strangers (78.7%), while 71.3% of physical contact abuses were from acquaintances including 12.5% of them were teachers, 17.5% were neighbors and 21.3% were relatives. The risk factors of child sexual abuses were: frequent use of violence, bad hobbies and poor health conditions of parents, tight family relationships, and living in remarried families. Having well-educated fathers was a preventive factor. CONCLUSION: Studies on childhood sexual abuses among females revealed that the incidents were not rare, and family environment played an important role.