Application of CRISPR/Cas12i.3 for targeted mutagenesis in broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.).

A CRISPR/Cas12i.3-based gene editing platform is established in broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum) and used to create new elite germplasm for this ancient crop.

[The changes of ghrelin, growth hormone, growth hormone releasing hormone and their clinical significances in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of plasma ghrelin, growth hormone (GH) and growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and gastric ghrelin in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to explore their clinical significances. METHODS: Plasma ghrelin, GH, GHRH, TNFα, IL-6 and C reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 40 COPD patients and 20 controls with chronic bronchitis. Correlated factors of plasma ghrelin, TNFα, IL-6, CRP were analyzed. Body composition was assessed with bioelectrical impedance analysis. The expression of gastric ghrelin in patients with COPD was detected. RESULTS: Plasma ghrelin was higher in the underweight patients than in the normal weight patients and in the controls [(1.78 ± 0.46) ng/L, (1.39 ± 0.46) ng/L, (1.36 ± 0.39) ng/L, respectively]. Plasma GH was lower in the underweight patients than in the normal weight patients and in the controls [(4.12 ± 0.83) µg/L, (5.17 ± 0.72)µg/L, (6.49 ± 1.13) µg/L, respectively]. Plasma GHRH was lower in the underweight patients than in the normal weight patients and in the controls [(20.43 ± 4.41) ng/L, (23.47 ± 3.97) ng/L, (27.48 ± 10.06) ng/L, respectively]. Plasma ghrelin was higher in the underweight patients than in the controls (P < 0.01). Plasma ghrelin was higher in the underweight patients than in the normal weight patients with COPD. Plasma ghrelin (log transformed) was negatively correlated with BMI and percentage of body fat in the COPD patients. Plasma GHRH was positively correlated with ghrelin in the underweight patients (r = 0.515, P < 0.05), while no correlation was found between plasma GH and ghrelin in the underweight patients (r = 0.415, P > 0.05). Plasma ghrelin was positively correlated with TNFα and IL-6 in the underweight patients. The gastric expression of ghrelin showed no evident difference between the patients with COPD and the controls. CONCLUSIONS: The plasma GH in COPD patients may not be correlated with ghrelin. The plasma ghrelin level may be a useful indicator for malnutrition in COPD patients. Plasma ghrelin might be involved in the pathogenesis of CODP by affecting the body energy metabolism.

Clinical and Airway Inflammation Features of COPD Patients with Positive Bronchodilator Test.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the difference in clinical characteristics and airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients on the positive bronchodilator tests. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China, from January to December 2017. METHODOLOGY: A total of 200 COPD patients were subjected to COPD Assessment Test (CAT), modified Medicine Research Council (mMRC) score, 6-minute walk distance, Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (Borg), pulmonary function, serum IgE, and cell count in induced sputum. They were divided into a positive group and a negative group according to the response to the bronchodilator test, and the results were compared. RESULTS: There were 46 cases (23.00%) in the positive group, and 154 cases (77.00%) in the negative group. There were evident differences in the history of smoking and serum IgE. The positive group had better outcomes than those of the negative group regarding forced expired volume in one second to total predicted value ratio (FEV1% pred), forced vital capacity to total predicted value ratio (FVC% pred), improvement rate of maximum expiratory flow of 75% of lung capacity (MEF75%), and MEF50%. CAT score, mMRC score, Borg score, meters in 6-minute walking test (all p<0.05). There was no significant difference in cell count in induced sputum between the two groups. CONCLUSION: COPD patients having a positive response to the bronchodilator had better lung function, better CAT score, better mMRC score, and Borg scale score. They also had further 6-minute walking distance. It suggests that a positive bronchodilator response might be a clinical phenotype of COPD.