miR2105 and the kinase OsSAPK10 co-regulate OsbZIP86 to mediate drought-induced ABA biosynthesis in rice.

Mediating induced abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis is important for enhancing plant stress tolerance. Here, we found that rice (Oryza sativa L.) osa-miR2105 (miR2105) and the Stress/ABA-activated protein kinase (OsSAPK10) coordinately regulate the rice basic region-leucine zipper transcription factor (bZIP TF; OsbZIP86) at the posttranscriptional and posttranslational levels to control drought-induced ABA biosynthesis via modulation of rice 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (OsNCED3) expression. OsbZIP86 expression is regulated by miR2105-directed cleavage of the OsbZIP86 mRNA. OsbZIP86 encodes a nuclear TF that binds to the promoter of the ABA biosynthetic gene OsNCED3. OsSAPK10 can phosphorylate and activate OsbZIP86 to enhance the expression of OsNCED3. Under normal growth conditions, altered expression of miR2105 and OsbZIP86 displayed no substantial effect on rice growth. However, under drought conditions, miR2105 knockdown or OsbZIP86 overexpression transgenic rice plants showed higher ABA content, enhanced tolerance to drought, lower rates of water loss, and more stomatal closure of seedlings, compared with wild-type rice Zhonghua 11; in contrast, miR2105 overexpression, OsbZIP86 downregulation, and OsbZIP86 knockout plants displayed opposite phenotypes. Collectively, our results show that the "miR2105-(OsSAPK10)-OsbZIP86-OsNCED3" module regulates the drought-induced ABA biosynthesis without penalty on rice growth under normal conditions, suggesting candidates for improving drought tolerance in rice.

Three-Field versus Two-Field Lymphadenectomy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Most surgeons now accept lymphadenectomy as an essential feature of the operative treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Three-field and two-field lymphadenectomy are two of the most popular excision scopes among surgeons. Over recent years, researchers have performed a range of comparative studies regarding these techniques, although the conclusions remain inconsistent. METHOD: We systematically retrieved the records of PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov until October 2019 and performed preliminary and full-text screening of the articles. We used the NOS scale to evaluate the quality of the enrolled studies, with only medium- and high-quality studies included. Review Manager 5.3 and Stata15 were used for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of eight studies involving 1676 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma using with two-field and three-field lymphadenectomy, although three-field lymphadenectomy led to the gaining of a higher number of lymph nodes, there were no significant differences between the two in terms of the number of positive lymph nodes and overall survival. Three-field lymphadenectomy also caused higher levels of intraoperative blood loss and higher morbidity of the anastomotic fistula. No significant differences in operation time, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, pneumonia, chylothorax, anastomotic stenosis, ileus, cervical nodal recurrence and hospital mortality were observed. CONCLUSIONS: According to our meta-analysis, two-field lymphadenectomy is recommended as a first-choice surgical treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, since the results showed a risk of bias, they should be treated with caution.

Hexaricins, Pradimicin-like Polyketides from a Marine Sediment-Derived Streptosporangium sp. and Their Antioxidant Effects.

Seven pradimicin-like polyketides were isolated from the dichloromethane extract of the marine sediment-derived Streptosporangium sp. CGMCC 4.7309, including five new hexaricins, D-H (1-5), and known hexaricins A (6) and C (7). Their structures were determined by HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and other spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of compounds 1-5 were determined on the basis of circular dichroism and specific rotation data. All isolated compounds 1-7 were tested for their antioxidant capacities by DPPH• scavenging, •OH scavenging, and •O2̅ scavenging assays. Compounds 3 and 4 displayed stronger antioxidant activities than the positive control ( tert-butylhydroquinone). The relationship between structure and antioxidant activity is discussed. These compounds could be effective natural antioxidants with considerable pharmaceutical value.

OsWS1 involved in cuticular wax biosynthesis is regulated by osa-miR1848.

Cuticular wax forms a hydrophobic layer covering aerial plant organs and acting as a protective barrier against biotic and abiotic stresses. Compared with well-known wax biosynthetic pathway, molecular regulation of wax biosynthesis is less known. Here, we show that rice OsWS1, a member of the membrane-bound O-acyl transferase gene family, involved in wax biosynthesis and was regulated by an osa-miR1848. OsWS1-tagged green fluorescent protein localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Compared with wild-type rice, OsWS1 overexpression plants displayed a 3% increase in total wax, especially a 35% increase in very long-chain fatty acids, denser wax papillae around the stoma, more cuticular wax crystals formed on leaf and stem surfaces, pollen coats were thicker and more seedlings survived after water-deficit treatment. In contrast, OsWS1-RNAi and osa-miR1848 overexpression plants exhibited opposing changes. Gene expression analysis showed that overexpression of osa-miR1848 down-regulated OsWS1 transcripts; furthermore, expression profiles of OsWS1 and osa-miR1848 were inversely correlated in the leaf, panicle and stem, and upon water-deficit treatment. These results suggest that OsWS1 is regulated by osa-miR1848 and participates in cuticular wax formation.

McKeown or Ivor Lewis minimally invasive esophagectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is increasingly accepted in many countries. McKeown esophagectomy and Ivor Lewis esophagectomy are two protocols commonly used for MIE, but which one provides more benefit to the patients remains matter of controversy. METHODS: All records in PubMed, Embase, Medline, The Cochrane Library, Wanfang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Chinese VIP Information till May 2019 were systematically retrieved to compare the cohort studies of McKeown esophagectomy and Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. A meta-analysis of the extracted data was performed using the Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 15 software. RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 23 cohort studies in which a total of 4,933 patients were enrolled. The results revealed that minimally invasive McKeown esophagectomy (MIME) was superior to minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (MILE) in hospital cost, but inferior to it in operating time, length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality, 90-day mortality, anastomotic leakage, anastomotic leakage requiring surgery, anastomotic stenosis, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury, chylothorax, pulmonary complications and total complications. There were no statistical differences between MIME and MILE in blood loss, detected number of lymph nodes, blood transfusion rate, R0 resection rate, re-operation rate, drainage duration, length of the stay in intensive care unit (ICU), 1-year mortality, lung infection, cardiac arrhythmia and delayed gastric emptying. CONCLUSIONS: Except for the cost, MILE is superior to MIME in several aspects, and may represent a better choice for MIE. The results of the present study should be interpreted with caution since the meta-analysis is based on nonrandom cohort studies which may have a selection bias.

Rhabdopeptides from Xenorhabdus budapestensis SN84 and Their Nematicidal Activities against Meloidogyne incognita.

For decades, plant parasitic nematodes have caused serious damage to crop production. Most nematicides are banned because of their negative impacts on the environment and public health. The repeated application of the few commercially available nematicides has caused more incidences of nematicide resistance. To seek novel nematicides, seven linear peptides named rhabdopeptides I-O, 1-7, were isolated from culture broth of Xenorhabdus budapestensis SN84. The structures of the peptides were elucidated on the basis of extensive mass spectrometry (MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. 3, 4, and 7 were novel compounds. 1, 2, 5, and 6 were isolated and purified for the first time, despite being previously elucidated from an extract mixture based on labeling and MS experiments. All seven compounds were tested for their nematicidal activities against the second-stage juveniles (J2) of Meloidogyne incognita using 24-microwell plates. Rhabdopeptide J, 2, demonstrated strong inhibitory activity with an LC50 value of 27.8 µg/mL. Rhabdopeptide K, 3, and M, 5, showed moderate inhibitory activity with LC50 values of 46.3 and 42.4 µg/mL, respectively.

[Ilizarov technique combined with limited surgery for correction of spastic clubfoot in adolescents with cerebral palsy].

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Ilizarov technique combined with soft tissue release and muscle strength balance in the treatment of spastic clubfoot in adolescents with cerebral palsy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical data of 29 cases (33 feet) of cerebral palsy spastic clubfoot deformity conformed to the selection criteria between June 2011 and September 2016. Among them, 17 were male (20 feet) and 12 were female (13 feet) with an age range from 13 to 28 years (mean, 17.6 years). According to Diméglio classification, 19 feet were rated as gradeⅡ and 14 feet as grade Ⅲ. All patients were treated with soft tissue release and muscle balance, while using Ilizarov technique to correct varus deformity. Began to gradually adjust the external fixator after 5-7 days of operation, until to reach satisfactory foot ankle form. Orthopedic brace was used after removal of external fixator, and the wearing time gradually reduced to completely abandon the brace. Results: All 29 patients (33 feet) were followed up 12-22 months with an average of 18 months. All patients restored line plantar foot without needle infection and nerve or vessel injury. One foot had a mild relapse of deformity at 6 months after removal of external fixator, and the gait restored to normal after symptomatic treatment. The rest of 32 feet had no deformity recurrence during the follow-up. At last follow-up, International Club Foot Study Group (ICFSG) score (5.21±3.91) was significantly lower than the preoperative score (36.73±4.80), and the difference was significant ( t=47.227, P=0.000). The results were excellent in 27 feet, good in 3 feet, and fair in 3 feet, and the excellent and good rate was 90.91%. The patients were very satisfied in 27 feet and satisfied in 6 feet by self-evaluation of effectiveness. Conclusion: Ilizarov technique is effective in treatment of clubfoot. And it is also a feasible method to treat spastic clubfoot in adolescents with cerebral palsy when combined with appropriate soft tissue surgery according to the patient's symptoms and signs.

Comparison of GFP-Expressing Imageable Mouse Models of Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Established in Various Anatomical Sites.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a recalcitrant cancer. Mouse models of this disease could be used for discovery of more effective therapy for ESCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing human esophageal cancer EC1 cell line was established with a lentiviral expression system. Subsequently, nude mice were injected subcutaneously, intracardiac or intravenously, or orthotopically implanted with EC1-GFP cells. Tumor growth and metastasis were examined by fluorescence in vivo imaging or by open fluorescence imaging after autopsy. RESULTS: Four different mouse xenograft models of ESCC expressing GFP were established. In the subcutaneous model, primary tumor growth was monitored in real-time by whole-body fluorescence imaging. No metastasis was observed in the subcutaneous or surgical orthotopic implantation model. By 55 days after implantation, all mice had developed orthotopic esophageal cancer, but without detectable metastasis. In contrast, experimental metastasis occurred in the intracardiac and intravenous models. In the intravenous injection model, the lung was the sole organ of experimental metastasis. In the intracardiac model, extensive experimental metastases occurred in the bone, brain and lung. CONCLUSION: The mouse xenograft models of ESCC developed in the present study can provide a means of discovering more effective therapy of this recalcitrant type of cancer.