Identification and transcriptome analysis of a photosynthesis deficient mutant of Populus davidiana Dode.

Photosynthesis is the main source of energy for plants to sustain growth and development. Abnormalities in photosynthesis may cause defects in plant development. The elaborate regulatory mechanism underlying photosynthesis remains unclear. In this study, we identified a natural mutant from the Greater Khingan Mountains and named it as "1-T". This mutant had variegated leaf with irregular distribution of yellow and green. Chlorophyll contents and photosynthetic capacity of 1-T were significantly reduced compared to other poplar genotypes. Furthermore, a transcriptome analysis revealed 3269 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in 1-T. The products of the DEGs were enriched in photosystem I and photosystem II. Three motifs were significantly enriched in the promoters of these DEGs. Yeast one-hybrid, Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and tobacco transient transformation experiments indicated that PdGLKs may bind to the three motifs. Further analysis indicated that these photosystem related genes were also significantly down-regulated in PdGLK-RNAi poplars. Therefore, we preliminarily concluded that the down-regulation of PdGLKs in 1-T may affect the expression of photosystem-related genes, resulting in abnormal photosystem development and thus affecting the growth and development. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of photosynthesis regulating plant growth.

Identification of GMFG as a novel biomarker in IgA nephropathy based on comprehensive bioinformatics analysis.

Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) stands as the most prevalent form of glomerulonephritis and ranks among the leading causes of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Regrettably, we continue to grapple with the absence of dependable diagnostic markers and specific therapeutic agents for IgAN. Therefore, this study endeavors to explore novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in IgAN, while also considering their relevance in the context of tumors. Methods: We gathered IgAN datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Subsequently, leveraging these datasets, we conducted an array of analyses, encompassing differential gene expression, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), machine learning, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, gene expression validation, clinical correlations, and immune infiltration. Finally, we carried out pan-cancer analysis based on hub gene. Results: We obtained 1391 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GSE93798 and 783 DGEs in GSE14795, respectively. identifying 69 common genes for further investigation. Subsequently, GMFG was identified the hub gene based on machine learning. In the verification set and the training set, the GMFG was higher in the IgAN group than in the healthy group and all of the GMFG area under the curve (AUC) was more 0.8. In addition, GMFG has a close relationship with the prognosis of malignancies and a range of immune cells. Conclusions: Our study suggests that GMFG could serve as a promising novel biomarker and potential therapeutic target for both IgAN and certain types of tumors.

Efficacy and Safety of Traditional Chinese Medicines as a Complementary Therapy Combined With Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Gastric Cancer: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

BACKGROUND: In China, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), as a complementary therapy combined with chemotherapy, is widely used in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC). In order to systematically evaluate and synthesize existing evidence to provide a scientific basis for the efficacy and safety of this complementary therapy, we present an overview of systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) on the topic of TCMs as a complementary therapy in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of GC. METHODS: SRs/MAs on TCMs combined with chemotherapy for GC were comprehensively searched in 8 databases. Methodological quality, risk of bias, reporting quality, and quality of evidence were assessed using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2), the Risk of Bias in Systematic (ROBIS) scale, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 (PRISMA 2020), as well as the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. RESULTS: Thirteen published SRs/MAs were included in our study. In terms of methodology, all SRs/MAs were considered to be of very low quality. Only 3 SRs/MAs has been assessed as low risk of bias. None of the SRs/MAs has been fully reported on the checklist. A total of 97 outcome indicators extracted from the included SRs/MAs were evaluated, and only 1 item was assessed as high quality. CONCLUSIONS: TCMs may be an effective and safe complementary therapy in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of GC. However, this conclusion must be treated with caution as the quality of the evidence provided by SRs/MAs is generally low.

Research advances in prevention and treatment of burn wound deepening in early stage.

The burn wound is a dynamic living environment that is affected by many factors. It may present a progressive expansion of necrosis into the initially viable zone of stasis within a short time postburn. Therefore, how to salvage of the zone of stasis is of crucial importance in prevention and treatment strategies of burn wound progressive deepening. This review focuses on the cellular basis of tissue injury and the current progress of prevention and treatment strategies of burn wound progressive deepening, in order to provide references for the treatment of burn wounds in the early phase.

Identification of Novel Genes and Associated Drugs in Advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma by Bioinformatic Methods.

The current work screened differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and found potential biomarkers and drugs for advanced ccRCC. After analyzing GSE53757 and GSE66271, we identified DEGs and performed the functional annotation, pathway enrichment, validation, survival analysis, and candidate drug analysis. We obtained 861 common DEGs from datasets between advanced ccRCC tissues and normal kidney tissues. Besides, we performed functional analysis under ontological conditions and carried out pathway analysis. The five most stable core gene groups and top 10 genes were screened using the Cytoscape software. We performed functional and pathway analyses again and found that the core genes were similar to total DEGs. After verification, the expression trends of the 10 hub genes did not change. Survival analysis showed high expressions of TOP2A, BIRC5, BUB1, MELK, RRM2, and TPX2 genes, suggesting that they might participate in cancer occurrence, migration, and relapse of ccRCC. The gene-drug analysis showed that gallium nitrate, cladribine, and amonafide were strongly associated with RRM2 and TOP2A. We found that RRM2 and TOP2A might be predictive biomarkers and novel targeted therapy for advanced ccRCC. These drugs (gallium nitrate, cladribine, and amonafide) might be used for treating advanced ccRCC.

Anti-inflammatory effects of anemonin on acute ulcerative colitis via targeted regulation of protein kinase C-θ.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes continuous mucosal inflammation. Anemonin is a natural molecule from the Ranunculaceae and Gramineae plants that exerts anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of anemonin on UC. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were administered dextran sulphate sodium (DSS; 3% [w/v]) to establish an animal model of UC. Mice were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of anemonin. Body weight and the disease activity index (DAI) were recorded. Haematoxylin and eosin staining, RT-qPCR, ELISA, and western blotting were performed to evaluate the histopathological changes and tissue inflammation. HT-29 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and anemonin. Cell inflammation was evaluated using RT-qPCR and western blotting. The target proteins of anemonin were predicted using bioinformatics analysis and confirmed in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Anemonin improved DSS-induced body weight loss, shortened colon length, increased DAI, and induced pathological changes in the colon tissue of mice. Anemonin inhibited DSS-induced colon tissue inflammation as the release of IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6 was significantly suppressed. Additionally, anemonin attenuated LPS-induced cytokine production in HT-29 cells. PKC-θ was predicted as a target protein of anemonin. Anemonin did not affect PRKCQ gene transcription, but inhibited its translation. PRKCQ overexpression partially reversed the protective effects of anemonin on HT-29 cells. Adeno-associated virus delivery of the PRKCQ vector significantly reversed the protective effects of anemonin on the mouse colon. CONCLUSIONS: Anemonin has the potential to treat UC. The anti-inflammatory effects of anemonin may be mediated through targeting PKC-θ.

Bacterial cellulose membrane combined with BMSCs promotes wound healing by activating the notch signaling pathway.

Objective: The bacterial cellulose membrane (BCM) has been widely studied and applied as a new biomaterial for wound healing, but causes pain with frequent dressing changes. Local application of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) requires a niche. Furthermore, the effect and mechanism of the BCM combined with BMSCs have not been reported. Methods: Morphological and chemical identifications of BCMs were investigated by porosity analyses, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Biological wound dressings (BWDs) were prepared by the BCM in combination with BMSCs. The biological effects of BWDs on human dermal fibroblast (HDF) and VEGF-A in human vascular endothelial cells (HuVECs) were detected in vitro, and the effect of BWDs on acute wounds in mice was detected in vivo. Collagen and angiogenesis were evaluated through hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. The expressions of COL-1 and VEGF-A and the activation of the Notch signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro were detected by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: The BCM had a nanoscale structure and provided a partial niche for the survival and proliferation of BMSCs. BWDs were successfully prepared and regulated the biological behaviors of wound healing-related cells in vitro and upregulated the expressions of COL-1 in HDF and VEGF-A in HuVECs. BWDs promoted wound healing by increasing collagen type I synthesis and angiogenesis in acute wounds in mice. Conclusions: BWDs prepared by the combination of nanomaterial BCMs and BMSCs facilitated acute wound healing, which may be regulated by activating the Notch signaling pathway.

Preparation and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of quercetin-loaded mixed micelles for oral delivery.

Quercetin (QT) is a plant polyphenol with various pharmacological properties. However, the low water solubility limits its therapeutic efficacy. In the present study, QT-loaded sodium taurocholate-Pluronic P123 (QT-loaded ST/P123) mixed micelles were developed and characterized, and the effect of the formulation on improving the water solubility of QT was investigated. QT-loaded ST/P123 mixed micelles were prepared by thin film hydration-direct dissolution and optimized by uniform design. The optimal formulation possessed high drug loading (12.6%) and entrapment efficiency (95.9%) in small (16.20 nm) spherically-shaped micelles. A low critical micelle concentration indicated that the micelles were stable, and they showed a sustained release pattern, as determined in vitro in simulated gastric fluid and intestinal fluid. Pharmacokinetic evaluation showed the Cmax and AUC0-24 were 1.8-fold and 1.6-fold higher than the QT suspension. The present results indicate that QT-loaded ST/P123 micelles are potential candidates to improve the solubility and oral bioavailability of QT.