Aneurinibacillus uraniidurans sp. nov., a uranium-resistant bacterium isolated from uranium-contaminated soil.

A novel Gram-positive strain, B1T, was isolated from uranium-contaminated soil. The strain was aerobic, rod-shaped, spore-forming, and motile. The strain was able to grow at 20-45 °C, at pH 6.0-9.0, and in the presence of 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. The complete genome size of the novel strain was 3 853 322 bp. The genomic DNA G+C content was 45.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain B1T has the highest similarity to Aneurinibacillus soli CB4T (96. 71 %). However, the novel strain showed an average nucleotide identity value of 89.02 % and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of 37.40 % with strain CB4T based on the genome sequences. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0. The predominate respiratory quinone was MK7. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid were identified as the major polar lipids. The phylogenetic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic analyses showed that strain B1T represents a novel species of the genus Aneurinibacillus, for which the name Aneurinibacillus uraniidurans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B1T (=GDMCC 1.4080T=JCM 36228T). Experiments have shown that strain B1T demonstrates uranium tolerance.

Vitamin D and ischemic stroke - Association, mechanisms, and therapeutics.

Confronting the rising tide of ischemic stroke and its associated mortality and morbidity with ageing, prevention and acute management of ischemic stroke is of paramount importance. Mounting observational studies have established a non-linear association of vitamin D status with cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke. Paradoxically, current clinical trials fail to demonstrate the cardiovascular benefits of vitamin D supplementation. We aim to update recent clinical and experimental findings on the role of vitamin D in the disease course of ischemic stroke, from its onset, progression, recovery, to recurrence, and the established and alternative possible pathophysiological mechanisms. This review justifies the necessities to address stroke etiological subtypes and focus on vitamin D-deficient subjects for investigating the potential of vitamin D supplementation as a preventive and therapeutic approach for ischemic stroke. Well-powered clinical trials are warranted to determine the efficacy, safety, timing, target individuals, optimal dosages, and target 25OHD concentrations of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke.

Low Selenium and Low Protein Exacerbate Myocardial Damage in Keshan Disease by Affecting the PINK1/Parkin-mediated Mitochondrial Autophagy Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Keshan disease (KD) is a myocardial mitochondrial disease closely related to insufficient selenium (Se) and protein intake. PTEN induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin mediated mitochondrial autophagy regulates various physiological and pathological processes in the body. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between PINK1/Parkin-regulated mitochondrial autophagy and KD-related myocardial injury. METHODS: A low Se and low protein animal model was established. One hundred Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (control group, low Se group, low protein group, low Se + low protein group, and corn from KD area group). The JC-1 method was used to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). ELISA was used to detect serum creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and mitochondrial-glutamicoxalacetic transaminase (M-GOT) levels. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of PINK1, Parkin, sequestome 1 (P62), and microtubule-associated proteins1A/1B light chain 3B (MAP1LC3B). RESULTS: The MMP was significantly decreased and the activity of CK-MB, cTnI, and M-GOT significantly increased in each experimental group (low Se group, low protein group, low Se + low protein group and corn from KD area group) compared with the control group (P<0.05 for all). The mRNA and protein expression levels of PINK1, Parkin and MAP1LC3B were profoundly increased, and those of P62 markedly decreased in the experimental groups compared with the control group (P<0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Low Se and low protein levels exacerbate myocardial damage in KD by affecting the PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy pathway.

Icariin Regulates EMT and Stem Cell-Like Character in Breast Cancer through Modulating lncRNA NEAT1/TGFß/SMAD2 Signaling Pathway.

Metastases and drug resistance are the major risk factors associated with breast cancer (BC), which is the most common type of tumor affecting females. Icariin (ICA) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound that possesses significant anticancer properties. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in a wide variety of biological and pathological processes and have been shown to modulate the effectiveness of certain drugs in cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential effect of ICA on epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness articulation in BC cells, as well as the possible relationship between its inhibitory action on EMT and stemness with the NEAT1/transforming growth factor ß (TGFß)/SMAD2 pathway. The effect of ICA on the proliferation (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony assays), EMT (Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and wound healing), and stemness (mammosphere formation assays, Western blotting) of BC cells were examined. According to the findings, ICA suppressed the proliferation, EMT, and stem cell-like in MDA-MB-231 cells, and exerted its inhibitory impact by downregulating the TGFß/SMAD2 signaling pathway. ICA could significantly downregulate the expression of lncRNA NEAT1, and silencing NEAT1 enhanced the effect of ICA in suppressing EMT and expression of different stem cell markers. In addition, silencing NEAT1 was found to attenuate the TGFß/SMAD2 signaling pathway, thereby improving the inhibitory impact of ICA on stemness and EMT in BC cells. In conclusion, ICA can potentially inhibit the metastasis of BC via affecting the NEAT1/TGFß/SMAD2 pathway, which provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the mechanisms involved in potential application of ICA for BC therapy.

Effects of UV-B radiation on pollen germination and tube growth: A global meta-analysis.

Despite widespread recognition of pollen's potential sensitivity to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation (280-315 nm), there remains ongoing debate surrounding the extent and mechanisms of this effect. In this study, using published data on pollen germination and tube growth including 377 pair-wise comparisons from 77 species in 30 families, we present the first global quantification of the effects of UV-B radiation on pollen germination and tube growth, along with its underlying mechanisms. Our results showed a substantial reduction in both pollen germination and tube growth in response to UV-B radiation, affecting 90.9 % and 84.2 % of species, respectively. Notably, these reductions exhibited phylogenetic constraints, highlighting the role of evolutionary history in shaping the sensitivity of pollen germination and tube growth to UV-B radiation. A negative correlation between elevation and the sensitivity of pollen tube growth was detected, suggesting that pollens from plants at higher elevations exhibit greater resistance to UV-B radiation. Our investigation also revealed that the effects of UV-B radiation on pollen germination and tube growth were influenced by a range of abiotic and biotic factors. Nevertheless, the intensity and duration of UV-B radiation exposure exhibited the highest explanatory power for the effects on both pollen germination and tube growth. This suggests that the responses of pollens to UV-B radiation are profoundly influenced by its dose, a critical consideration within the context of global change. In conclusion, our study provides valuable insights into the diverse responses of pollen germination and tube growth to UV-B radiation, highlighting the environment and species-dependent nature of pollen's susceptibility to UV-B radiation, with substantial implications for our understanding of the ecological and agricultural consequences of ongoing changes in UV-B radiation.

Antagonistic MADS-box transcription factors SEEDSTICK and SEPALLATA3 form a transcriptional regulatory network that regulates seed oil accumulation.

Transcriptional regulation is essential for balancing multiple metabolic pathways that influence oil accumulation in seeds. Thus far, the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that govern seed oil accumulation remain largely unknown. Here, we identified the transcriptional regulatory network composed of MADS-box transcription factors SEEDSTICK (STK) and SEPALLATA3 (SEP3), which bridges several key genes to regulate oil accumulation in seeds. We found that STK, highly expressed in the developing embryo, positively regulates seed oil accumulation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Furthermore, we discovered that SEP3 physically interacts with STK in vivo and in vitro. Seed oil content is increased by the SEP3 mutation, while it is decreased by SEP3 overexpression. The chromatin immunoprecipitation, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and transient dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that STK positively regulates seed oil accumulation by directly repressing the expression of MYB5, SEP3, and SEED FATTY ACID REDUCER 4 (SFAR4). Moreover, genetic and molecular analyses demonstrated that STK and SEP3 antagonistically regulate seed oil production and that SEP3 weakens the binding ability of STK to MYB5, SEP3, and SFAR4. Additionally, we demonstrated that TRANSPARENT TESTA 8 (TT8) and ACYL-ACYL CARRIER PROTEIN DESATURASE 3 (AAD3) are direct targets of MYB5 during seed oil accumulation in Arabidopsis. Together, our findings provide the transcriptional regulatory network antagonistically orchestrated by STK and SEP3, which fine tunes oil accumulation in seeds.

Global research landscape and trends of papillary thyroid cancer therapy: a bibliometric analysis.

Background: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common endocrine malignancy worldwide. The treatment of PTC has attracted extensive attention and discussion from the public and scholars. However, no article has systematically assessed the related literature. Therefore, we conducted a bibliometric and knowledge map analysis to reveal the dynamic scientific developments in the PTC therapy field. Methods: We retrieved publications related to PTC therapy from the Web of Scientific Core Collection (WoSCC) on May 1, 2023. The bibliometric package in R software, VOSviewer and CiteSpace software were used to analyze countries/regions, institutions, journals, authors, references, and keywords. Then, we systematized and summarized the research landscape, global trends and hot topics of research. Results: This bibliometric analysis spanned from 2012 to 2022 and involved 18,501 authors affiliated with 3,426 institutions across 87 countries/regions, resulting in the publication of 3,954 papers in 860 academic journals. Notably, the number of publications and citations related to PTC therapy research has exhibited a steady increase over the past decade. China and the United States have emerged as leading contributors in terms of publication count, with the United States also being the most cited country. Furthermore, among the top 10 institutions with the highest number of published papers, half were located in China. Among the journals, Thyroid is ranked first in terms of total publications and citations. The most productive individual author was Miyauchi Akira. While previous research primarily focused on surgery and radioactive iodine therapy, the increasing emphasis on health awareness and advancements in medical technology have led to the emergence of active surveillance, thermal ablation, and genomic analysis as prominent areas of research. Conclusion: In conclusion, this comprehensive and quantitative bibliometric analysis elucidates the research trends and hotspots within PTC therapy, drawing from a substantial body of publications. This study provides valuable insights into the historical and current landscape of PTC therapy research while also offering guidance for future research directions. This study serves as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners seeking new avenues of exploration in the field.

Comparison of Whey Proteome and Glycoproteome in Bovine Colostrum and Mature Milk.

Milk samples were collected from 10 cows, in the colostrum (3-4 days) and mature (90 days) lactation stage, to assess the differential expression of all whey proteins and N-glycoproteins. In total, 240 whey proteins and 315 N-glycosylation sites on 214 glycoproteins were quantified. GO annotations, KEGG pathway analysis, and protein classification were performed to understand the similarities and differences of the biological functions of whey proteins and N-glycoproteins among different lactation stages in bovine milk. Furthermore, differential expression of whey proteins and whey N-glycosylated proteins was found between different lactation stages. The related changes of biological functions in differentially expressed proteins were discussed. For example, the increased frequency of glycosylation on lactoferrin and folate receptor alpha occurring in bovine colostrum may provide protection and stimulate development of the newborn calf. Our study thereby improves understanding of variations of glycosylation sites on milk glycoproteins among lactation stages.

Weight Changes and Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors Are Associated With Dysmenorrhea in Young Women.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and to investigate the effect of weight changes or unhealthy weight control behaviors on dysmenorrhea in young Korean women. METHODS: We used large-scale data of women, aged 14 to 44 years, who participated in the Korean Study of Women's Health-Related Issues. Dysmenorrhea was measured using a visual analog scale and was categorized as none, mild, moderate, and severe according to the severity. Weight changes and unhealthy weight control behaviors (any of the behaviors, fasting/meal skipping, drugs, the use of unapproved dietary supplements, and one-food diets) over the past year were self-reported. We used multinomial logistic regression to investigate the association between weight changes or unhealthy weight control behaviors and dysmenorrhea. RESULTS: Of the 5,829 young women participating in the study, 5,245 (90.0%) participants experienced dysmenorrhea [2,184 (37.5%) had moderate and 1,358 (23.3%) had severe]. After adjusting for confounders, the odds ratios for moderate and severe dysmenorrhea in participants with weight changes ≥ 3 kg (vs. < 3 kg) were 1.19 (95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.35) and 1.25 (95% confidence interval: 1.08-1.45), respectively. The odds ratios in participants with any unhealthy weight control behaviors were 1.22 (95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.42) and 1.41 (95% confidence interval: 1.19-1.67) for those with moderate and severe dysmenorrhea, respectively. CONCLUSION: Weight changes (≥ 3 kg) or unhealthy weight control behaviors are common among young women, which may adversely affect dysmenorrhea. Therefore, attention needs to be paid to excessive weight changes and unhealthy weight control behaviors to improve dysmenorrhea in young women.

Antioxidant, Tyrosinase, α-Glucosidase, and Elastase Enzyme Inhibition Activities of Optimized Unripe Ajwa Date Pulp (Phoenix dactylifera) Extracts by Response Surface Methodology.

The Ajwa date (Phoenix dactylifera L., Arecaceae family) is a popular edible fruit consumed all over the world. The profiling of the polyphenolic compounds of optimized unripe Ajwa date pulp (URADP) extracts is scarce. The aim of this study was to extract polyphenols from URADP as effectively as possible by using response surface methodology (RSM). A central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the extraction conditions with respect to ethanol concentration, extraction time, and temperature and to achieve the maximum amount of polyphenolic compounds. High-resolution mass spectrometry was used to identify the URADP's polyphenolic compounds. The DPPH-, ABTS-radical scavenging, α-glucosidase, elastase and tyrosinase enzyme inhibition of optimized extracts of URADP was also evaluated. According to RSM, the highest amounts of TPC (24.25 ± 1.02 mgGAE/g) and TFC (23.98 ± 0.65 mgCAE/g) were obtained at 52% ethanol, 81 min time, and 63 °C. Seventy (70) secondary metabolites, including phenolic, flavonoids, fatty acids, and sugar, were discovered using high-resolution mass spectrometry. In addition, twelve (12) new phytoconstituents were identified for the first time in this plant. Optimized URADP extract showed inhibition of DPPH-radical (IC50 = 87.56 mg/mL), ABTS-radical (IC50 = 172.36 mg/mL), α-glucosidase (IC50 = 221.59 mg/mL), elastase (IC50 = 372.25 mg/mL) and tyrosinase (IC50 = 59.53 mg/mL) enzymes. The results revealed a significant amount of phytoconstituents, making it an excellent contender for the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Genome-Wide Identification of AMT2-Type Ammonium Transporters Reveal That CsAMT2.2 and CsAMT2.3 Potentially Regulate NH4+ Absorption among Three Different Cultivars of Camellia sinensis.

Ammonium (NH4+), as a major inorganic source of nitrogen (N) for tea plant growth, is transported and distributed across membranes by the proteins of ammonium transporters (AMTs). However, the AMT2-type AMTs from tea plants remain poorly understood. In this study, five CsAMT2 subfamily genes were identified in tea plant genomes, and their full-length coding sequences (CDS) were isolated from roots. Then, a NH4+ uptake kinetic comparison of Fudingdabaicha (FD), Huangdan (HD), and Maoxie (MX) showed that FD was a high N efficiency (HNE) cultivar that had a wide range of adaptability to NH4+, HD was a high N efficiency under high N conditions (HNEH) cultivar, in which it was easy to obtain higher yield in a high N environment, and MX was a high N efficiency under low N conditions (HNEL) cultivar, which had a higher affinity for NH4+ than the other two. Tissue-specific expression analysis suggested that CsAMT2.2 and CsAMT2.3 were highly expressed in the roots, indicating that these two members may be unique in the CsAMT2 subfamily. This is further supported by our findings from the temporal expression profiles in the roots among these three different N adaptation cultivars. Expression levels of CsAMT2.2 and CsAMT2.3 in FD and HD were upregulated by a short time (2 h) under high NH4+ treatment, while under low NH4+ treatment, CsAMT2.2 and CsAMT2.3 were highly expressed at 0 h and 2 h in the HNEL-type cultivar-MX. Furthermore, the functional analysis illustrated that CsAMT2.2 and CsAMT2.3 could make a functional complementation of NH4+-defective mutant yeast cells at low NH4+ levels, and the transport efficiency of CsAMT2.3 was higher than that of CsAMT2.2. Thus, we concluded that CsAMT2.2 and CsAMT2.3 might play roles in controlling the NH4+ uptake from the soil to the roots. These results will further the understanding of the NH4+ signal networks of AMT2-type proteins in tea plants.

Curcumin-Encapsulated Fusion Protein-Based Nanocarrier Demonstrated Highly Efficient Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Targeted Treatment of Colorectal Cancer.

Curcumin, a polyphenol derived from turmeric, has multiple biological functions, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and, above all, antitumor activity. Colorectal cancer is a common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract with an extremely high mortality rate. However, the low bioavailability and poor targeting properties of curcumin generally limit its clinical application. In the present study, we designed a fusion protein GE11-HGFI as a nanodrug delivery system. The protein was connected by flexible linkers, inheriting the self-assembly properties of hydrophobin HGFI and the targeting ability of GE11. The data show that the encapsulation of curcumin by fusion protein GE11-HGFI can form uniform and stable nanoparticles with a size of only 80 nm. In addition, the nanocarrier had high encapsulation efficiency for curcumin and made it to release sustainably. Notably, the drug-loaded nanosystem selectively targeted colorectal cancer cells with high epidermal growth factor receptor expression, resulting in high aggregated concentrations of curcumin at tumor sites, thus showing a significant anticancer effect. These results suggest that the nanocarrier fusion protein has the potential to be a novel strategy for enhancing molecular bioactivity and drug targeting in cancer therapy.

Metformin Synergizes with PD-L1 Monoclonal Antibody Enhancing Tumor Immune Response in Treating Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Its Molecular Mechanism Investigation.

Despite non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment is proved to be effective using PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (PD-L1 MAb), it is commonly seen in immune-related adverse events reported. We aimed to explore metformin synergized with PD-L1 MAb in treating NSCLC and its potential molecular mechanism. In mice, the transplantable lung cancer models were established and a co-culture system of CD8+T cells and LLC cells was constructed. The anti-tumor effect was assessed by xenograft tumor growth, proliferation signal Ki67 expression, and MTT assays. Immunohistochemistry and western blot assays were also conducted to determine tumor immune response as well as mechanism investigation. The results indicated that tumor volume and cell proliferation were markedly inhibited following metformin synergized with PD-L1 MAb which was more effective than either single metformin or PD-L1 MAb. The cytokines TNF-α, IL-2, and IFN-γ secretion in CD8+ T cells was significantly increased, and the immune response was enhanced by metformin synergized with PD-L1 MAb. Further, the WB results implied that metformin synergized with PD-L1 MAb could activate the AMPK pathway and inhibit mTOR. AMPK inhibitor (Compound C) was added, and the results showed that the anti-tumor effect was reduced in metformin + PD-L1 MAb + CC than in metformin + PD-L1 MAb which indicates the metformin synergized with PD-L1 MAb efficacy was AMPK pathway dependent. In conclusion, metformin synergized with PD-L1 MAb has better efficacy against NSCLC than metformin or PD-L1 MAb alone in an AMPK-dependent way and facilitates increasing CD8+ T cell infiltration and enhancing tumor immune response.

Potential Chemoprevention of Paeoniflorin in Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer by Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and In Vivo Experiment.

Chronic inflammation plays a positive role in the development and progression of colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Medicinal plants and their extracts with anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties may be an effective treatment and prevention strategy for CAC. This research aimed to explore the potential chemoprevention of paeoniflorin (PF) for CAC by network pharmacology, molecular docking technology, and in vivo experiments. The results showed that interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key target of PF against CAC. In the CAC mouse model, PF increased the survival rate of mice and decreased the number and size of colon tumors. Moreover, reduced histological score of colitis and expression of Ki-67 and PCNA were observed in PF-treated mice. In addition, the chemoprevention mechanisms of PF in CAC may be associated with suppression of the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and the IL-17 level. This research provides experimental evidence of potential chemoprevention strategies for CAC treatment.

Acupuncture and Dry Needling for Sports Performance and Recovery.

ABSTRACT: Acupuncture and dry needling share many similarities in their proposed mechanisms of action and their sports medicine-related applications. Pain is the most common indication for these needling treatments, but there also are some limited studies on their use for ergogenic purposes. Needling can likely improve muscular strength and power, including increasing jump height, and it also can increase flexibility. In terms of sports recovery, acupuncture can not only be used for pain relief after injury, but also can help with routine recovery, such as in delayed onset muscle soreness. There are numerous case reports of acupuncture and dry needling being used to treat athletes for various diagnoses and conditions, however more high quality studies are needed in order to make more specific evidence-based recommendations. Given the high degree of safety and limited adverse events associated with needling treatments, it can likely be promoted in athletes.

A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study of Selenium Levels and Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Previous observational studies have shown that circulating selenium levels are inversely associated with ischemic stroke (IS). Our aims were to evaluate the causal links between selenium levels and IS, and its subtypes by Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods: We used the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method to determine whether the circulating selenium levels are causally associated with the risk of stroke. We extracted the genetic variants (SNPs) associated with blood and toenail selenium levels from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis. Inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method was used as the determinant of the causal effects of exposures on outcomes. Results: A total of 4 SNPs (rs921943, rs6859667, rs6586282, and rs1789953) significantly associated with selenium levels were obtained. The results indicated no causal effects of selenium levels on ischemic stroke by MR analysis (OR = 0.968, 95% CI 0.914-1.026, p = 0.269). Meanwhile, there was no evidence of a causal link between circulating selenium levels and subtypes of IS. Conclusion: The MR study indicated no evidence to support the causal links between genetically predicted selenium levels and IS. Our results also did not support the use of selenium supplementation for IS prevention at the genetic level.

Global analysis of floral longevity reveals latitudinal gradients and biotic and abiotic correlates.

The length of time a flower remains open and functional - floral longevity - governs important reproductive processes influencing pollination and mating and varies considerably among angiosperm species. However, little is known about large-scale biogeographic patterns and the correlates of floral longevity. Using published data on floral longevity from 818 angiosperm species in 134 families and 472 locations world-wide, we present the first global quantification of the latitudinal pattern of floral longevity and the relationships between floral longevity and a range of biotic and abiotic factors. Floral longevity exhibited a significant phylogenetic signal and was longer at higher latitudes in both northern and southern hemispheres, even after accounting for elevation. This latitudinal variation was associated with several biotic and abiotic variables. The mean temperature of the flowering season had the highest predictive power for floral longevity, followed by pollen number per flower. Surprisingly, compatibility status, flower size, pollination mode, and growth form had no significant effects on flower longevity. Our results suggest that physiological processes associated with floral maintenance play a key role in explaining latitudinal variation in floral longevity across global ecosystems, with potential implications for floral longevity under global climate change and species distributions.

Overexpression of Soybean GmWRI1a Stably Increases the Seed Oil Content in Soybean.

WRINKLED1 (WRI1), an APETALA2/ethylene-responsive-element-binding protein (AP2/EREBP) subfamily transcription factor, plays a crucial role in the transcriptional regulation of plant fatty acid biosynthesis. In this study, GmWRI1a was overexpressed in the soybean cultivar 'Dongnong 50' using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to generate three transgenic lines with high seed oil contents. PCR and Southern blotting analysis showed that the T-DNA was inserted into the genome at precise insertion sites and was stably inherited by the progeny. Expression analysis using qRT-PCR and Western blotting indicated that GmWRI1a and bar driven by the CaMV 35S promoter were significantly upregulated in the transgenic plants at different developmental stages. Transcriptome sequencing results showed there were obvious differences in gene expression between transgenic line and transgenic receptor during seed developmental stages. KEGG analysis found that the differentially expressed genes mainly annotated to metabolic pathways, such as carbohydrated metabolism and lipid metabolism. A 2-year single-location field trial revealed that three transgenic lines overexpressing GmWRI1a (GmWRI1a-OE) showed a stable increase in seed oil content of 4.97-10.35%. Importantly, no significant effect on protein content and yield was observed. Overexpression of GmWRI1a changed the fatty acid composition by increasing the linoleic acid (C18:2) content and decreasing the palmitic acid (C16:0) content in the seed. The three GmWRI1a-OE lines showed no significant changes in agronomic traits. The results demonstrated that the three GmWRI1a overexpression lines exhibited consistent increases in seed oil content compared with that of the wild type and did not significantly affect the seed yield and agronomic traits. The genetic engineering of GmWRI1a will be an effective strategy for the improvement of seed oil content and value in soybean.

Herbal Nanoformulations for Asthma Treatment.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, the prevalence of asthma has substantially increased worldwide. Advances in phytochemistry and phytopharmacology have clarified the active ingredients and biological activities of medicinal plant products for treating asthma, and the role of herbal therapies in asthma treatment has become increasingly evident. However, most plant extracts have low solubility and poor stability of bioactive components, resulting in low bioavailability and loss of efficacy. Owing to these shortcomings, the clinical use of many herbal extracts is limited. OBJECTIVE: To summarise and analyse the characteristics of herbal nanoformulations and their application in asthma treatment. The objective of this review article is to address the emerging trends of herbal nanoformulations for an effective treatment of asthma. METHODS: Various research and review articles from reputed international journals were referred to and compiled. RESULTS: The nano-sized herbal formulations improve the solubility and bioavailability of herbal medicines and contribute to the sustained release of drugs, thus, increasing the therapeutic applications of herbal extracts. The review present different types of herbal nanoformulations, including micelles, nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, lipid-based liquid crystalline nanoparticles and nanoemulsions, which are potential nanodrugs for asthma treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Herbal nanoformulations have shown great prospects for the treatment of asthma in recent years. More safety and toxicity data are still needed to promote their development and application.

Mechanism of Fuzheng Kang'ai Formula Regulating Tumor Microenvironment in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine Fuzheng Kang'ai Formula (, FZKA) on tumor microenvironment (TME). METHODS: CIBERSORTx was used for analysis of TME. Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and Analysis Platform was applied to identify compounds-targets network and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was employed to identify the differential expression genes (DEGs) between tumor and paracancerous tissues in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) from TCGA-LUAD. Additionally, DEGs with prognosis in LUAD was calculated by univariable and multivariate Cox regression. The core targets of FZKA were analyzed in lung adenocarcinoma TME. Protein-protein interaction database was employed to predict down-stream of target. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was employed for biological experiment in A549, H1299 and PC9 cell lines. RESULTS: The active and resting mast cells were significantly associated with prognosis of LUAD (P<0.05). Of the targets, CCNA2 as an important target of FZKA (hazard ratio=1.41, 95% confidential interval: 1.01-2.01, P<0.05) was a prognostic target and significantly associated with mast cells. CCNA2 was positively correlated with mast cell activation and negatively correlated with mast cell resting state. BCL1L2, ACTL6A and ITGAV were down-stream of CCNA2, which were validated by qRT-PCR in A549 cell. CONCLUSION: FZKA could directly bind to CCNA2 and inhibit tumor growth by regulating CCNA2 downstream genes and TME of NSCLC closely related to CCNA2.