Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Veronica arvensis and its phylogenomic inference in plantaginaceae.

Veronica arvensis, which is an annual flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae, has commonly used as a Chinese herbal medicine to treat malaria in China. Here, the complete plastome of V. arvensis was successfully assembled based on genome skimming sequencing. The plastome of V. arvensis was 149,386 bp in length, comprising a pair of inverted repeats (IR; 24,946 bp) separated by a large single-copy (LSC) region (82,004 bp) and a small single-copy (SSC) region (17,490 bp). The plastid genome encoded 113 unique genes, consisting of 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes, with 19 duplicated genes in the IR regions. Six plastid hotspot regions (trnH-psbA, trnK-rps16, atpI-rps2, ndhF-rpl32, ccsA-ndhD and rps15-ycf1) were identified within Veronica. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the representative species from Veronica was monophyletic. V. persica and V. polita formed a maximum clade, followed by sister to V. arvensis.

Nitrate-NRT1.1B-SPX4 cascade integrates nitrogen and phosphorus signalling networks in plants.

To ensure high crop yields in a sustainable manner, a comprehensive understanding of the control of nutrient acquisition is required. In particular, the signalling networks controlling the coordinated utilization of the two most highly demanded mineral nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus, are of utmost importance. Here, we reveal a mechanism by which nitrate activates both phosphate and nitrate utilization in rice (Oryza sativa L.). We show that the nitrate sensor NRT1.1B interacts with a phosphate signalling repressor SPX4. Nitrate perception strengthens the NRT1.1B-SPX4 interaction and promotes the ubiquitination and degradation of SPX4 by recruiting NRT1.1B interacting protein 1 (NBIP1), an E3 ubiquitin ligase. This in turn allows the key transcription factor of phosphate signalling, PHR2, to translocate to the nucleus and initiate the transcription of phosphorus utilization genes. Interestingly, the central transcription factor of nitrate signalling, NLP3, is also under the control of SPX4. Thus, nitrate-triggered degradation of SPX4 activates both phosphate- and nitrate-responsive genes, implementing the coordinated utilization of nitrogen and phosphorus.

[Indirect comparison of different adjuvant chemotherapies for stage II-III gastric cancer after D2 gastrectomy in Asian patients].

OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy of different adjuvant chemotherapy regimens for stage II-III gastric cancer after D2 gastrectomy in Asian patients. METHODS: Associated literatures were searched through electronic databases and hand-searching. Prospective randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing adjuvant chemotherapy after D2 gastrectomy with surgery alone were included in the study. Overall survival and disease-free survival were chosen as the endpoints. Relative hazard was analyzed by Bucher adjusted indirect comparison. RESULTS: Two RCTs were selected, including comparison between S-1 versus surgery alone and comparison between XELOX versus surgery alone. There was no statistical difference in overall survival between the two regimens (HR=0.94, 95%CI:0.62-1.44, P=0.79). The recurrence risk of S-1 was slightly higher as compared to XELOX, but no statistical difference was found (HR=1.11, 95%CI:0.80-1.53, P=0.54). CONCLUSION: The adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 is similar to XELOX for stage II-III gastric cancer after D2 gastrectomy in Asian patients.

Silencing Fas-associated phosphatase 1 expression enhances efficiency of chemotherapy for colon carcinoma with oxaliplatin.

AIM: To investigate whether silencing Fas-associated phosphatase 1 (FAP-1) expression enhances the efficiency of chemotherapy for colon carcinoma with oxaliplatin. METHODS: Expression of FAP-1 in mRNA and protein was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was designed according to the FAP-1 mRNA sequence. Cell proliferation was evaluated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Anenxin V- and propidine iodine (PI) were assayed by flow cytometry for the detection of apoptosis. RESULTS: The expression of FAP-1 was increased in SW480 cells after chemotherapy with oxaliplatin. Transfection of FAP-1 siRNA into SW480 cells silenced the expression of FAP-1 and consequently abolished the inhibitory function of Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis pathway, thus increasing the efficacy of chemotherapy for colon carcinoma with oxaliplatin. CONCLUSION: RNA interference combined with conventional chemotherapy is more effective against colon cancer.