Molecular mechanisms of selenite reduction by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BSe: An integrated genomic and transcriptomic analysis.

The reduction of selenite [Se(Ⅳ)] by microorganisms is a green and efficient detoxification strategy. We found that Se(Ⅳ) inhibited exopolysaccharide and protein secretion by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BSe and compromised cell integrity. In this study, L. plantarum BSe reduced Se(Ⅳ) by increasing related enzyme activity and electron transfer. Genomic analysis demonstrated that L. plantarum BSe should be able to reduce Se(Ⅳ). Further transcriptome analysis showed that L. plantarum BSe enhanced its tolerance to Se(Ⅳ) by upregulating the expression of surface proteins and transporters, thus reducing the extracellular Se(Ⅳ) concentration through related enzymatic reactions and siderophore-mediated pathways. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BSe was able to regulate the expression of related genes involved in quorum sensing and a two-component system and then select appropriate strategies for Se(Ⅳ) transformation in response to varying environmental Se(Ⅳ) concentrations. In addition, azo reductase was linked to the reduction of Se(Ⅳ) for the first time. The present study established a multipath model for the reduction of Se(Ⅳ) by L. plantarum, providing new insights into the biological reduction of Se(Ⅳ) and the biogeochemical cycle of selenium.

A Real-World Study on Safety and Efficacy of TAF Treatment in HBV Patients with High Risk of Osteoporosis or Osteopenia in China.

Objective: Long-term antiviral treatment is necessary for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and treatment safety is imperative for these patients. Previous studies showed tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has shown efficacy non-inferior to that of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) with improved renal and bone safety. However, there is still a lack of a rapid and convenient method to identify CHB patients at high risk of osteoporosis before initiating antiviral treatment. The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) recommended a one-minute osteoporosis risk test to identify early high-risk patients. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of the one-minute osteoporosis risk test, along with evaluating the effectiveness and safety for virologically suppressed CHB patients switching to TAF. Methods: In this multicenter, prospective study, patients with chronic HBV infection who had been receiving TDF or Entecavir (ETV) for 48 weeks or more with HBV DNA less than 20 IU/mL for longer than 6 months were screened by one-minute osteoporosis risk test. Patients with a high risk of osteoporosis and then diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) were enrolled. Safety in bone and bone turnover markers and antiviral efficacy of TAF were assessed respectively at 24 and 48 weeks. Results: 84.95% (175/206) CHB patients screened by one-minute osteoporosis risk test were at risk of osteoporosis.85.71% (150/175) were diagnosed with osteopenia by DEXA. The analysis included a total of 138 patients, of whom 92(62.3%) were male and 46 (37.7%) were female, with a mean age of 45 years old. HBV DNA was suppressed at 48 weeks at 88% (35/40) in the prior ETV group and 90% (88/98) at 48 weeks group in the prior TDF group. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine (L1-L4) from TDF switching to TAF was improved at 24 weeks (1.03±0.11 vs. 0.97±0.12, P = .001) than baseline. Propeptides of type I procollagen (PINP) and beta-C-terminal telopeptides of type 1 collagen (CTX) in serum at 24 weeks after switching from TDF to TAF declined compared with baseline (50.35±18.90 vs. 63.65±19.17, P = .016 and 0.21±0.13 vs. 0.32±0.10, P = .017). BMD, PINP, and CTX in ETV to TAF group remained stable during treatment. Conclusion: Attention should be paid to osteoporosis risk during lone-term nucleot(s)ide analogue treatment. One minute test of osteoporosis risk could rapidly identify most CHB patients at risk of osteoporosis. Given its convenience, we recommend using this test for early screening in CHB patients prior to initiating antiviral treatment. Our results further demonstrated that an improvement in bone safety after switching to TAF in virologically suppressed CHB patients with osteoporosis.

[Re-evaluation of systematic reviews of acupuncture and moxibustion for children with cerebral palsy].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the methodological quality, report quality and evidence quality of the Meta-analysis and systematic reviews of acupuncture and moxibustion for children with cerebral palsy, aiming to provide decision-making basis for clinical treatment. METHODS: The systematic reviews and Meta-analysis of acupuncture and moxibustion for children with cerebral palsy were searched in CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, Cochrane Library, PubMed and EMbase. The retrieval time was from the database establishment to June 30th, 2022. AMSTAR 2 (a measurement tool to assess systematic reviews) was used to evaluate the methodological quality， and PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and Meta-analyses) was used to evaluate the report quality, and GRADE was used to evaluate the quality of evidence. RESULTS: A total of 14 systematic reviews were included, including 37 primary outcome indexes. According to AMSTAR 2 evaluation results, there were 4 low quality studies, 10 very low quality studies, and low scores on items 2, 4, 7, 10 and 16. PRISMA scores ranged from 15 to 25, and the main reporting problems reflected in structured abstracts, program and registration, retrieval, and funding sources, etc. According to the GRADE classification results, there were 3 high quality evidences, 7 medium quality evidences, 10 low quality evidences and 17 very low quality evidences. The main downgrading factors were limitations, imprecision and publication bias. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion has a certain effect for cerebral palsy in children, but the quality of methodology, reporting and evidence in the included literature is poor, and the comparison of curative effect between different acupuncture and moxibustion methods is unclear.

Salt and osmotic stress can improve the editing efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing system in potato.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technology has been widely used for the study of gene function in crops, but the differences between species have led to widely varying genome editing efficiencies. The present study utilized a potato hairy root genetic transformation system and incorporated a rapid assay with GFP as a screening marker. The results clearly demonstrated that salt and osmotic stress induced by NaCl (10 to 50 mM) and mannitol (50 to 200 mM) treatments significantly increased the positive rates of genetic transformation mediated by A. rhizogenes and the editing efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing system in potato. However, it was observed that the regeneration of potato roots was partially inhibited as a result. The analysis of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutation types revealed that chimeras accounted for the largest proportion, ranging from 62.50% to 100%. Moreover, the application of salt and osmotic stress resulted in an increased probability of null mutations in potato. Notably, the highest rate of null mutations, reaching 37.5%, was observed at a NaCl concentration of 10 mM. Three potential off-target sites were sequenced and no off-targeting was found. In conclusion, the application of appropriate salt and osmotic stress significantly improved the editing efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing system in potato, with no observed off-target effects. However, there was a trade-off as the regeneration of potato roots was partially inhibited. Overall, these findings present a new and convenient approach to enhance the genome editing efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing system in potato.

[Toxicity attenuation processing technology and mechanism of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae stir-fried with Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction].

This study explored toxicity attenuation processing technology of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae stir-fried with Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction for the first time, and further explored its detoxification mechanism. Nine processed products of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae stir-fried with Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction were prepared by orthogonal experiment with three factors and three levels. Based on the decrease in the content of the main hepatotoxic component diosbulbin B before and after processing of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae by high-performance liquid chromatography, the toxicity attenuation technology was preliminarily screened out. On this basis, the raw and representative processed products of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae were given to mice by gavage with 2 g·kg~(-1)(equival to clinical equivalent dose) for 21 d. The serum and liver tissues were collected after the last administration for 24 h. The serum biochemical indexes reflecting liver function and liver histopathology were combined to further screen out and verify the proces-sing technology. Then, the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant indexes of liver tissue were detected by kit method, and the expressions of NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1) and glutamate-cysteine ligase(GCLM) in mice liver were detected by Western blot to further explore detoxification mechanism. The results showed that the processed products of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae stir-fried with Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction reduced the content of diosbulbin B and improved the liver injury induced by Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bul-biferae to varying degrees, and the processing technology of A_2B_2C_3 reduced the excessive levels of alanine transaminase(ALT) and aspartate transaminase(AST) induced by raw Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae by 50.2% and 42.4%, respectively(P<0.01, P<0.01). The processed products of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae stir-fried with Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction reversed the decrease protein expression levels of NQO1 and GCLM in the liver of mice induced by raw Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae to varying degrees(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and it also reversed the increasing level of malondialdehyde(MDA) and the decreasing levels of glutathione(GSH), glutathione peroxidase(GPX), and glutathione S-transferase(GST) in the liver of mice(P<0.05 or P<0.01). In summary, this study shows that the optimal toxicity attenuation processing technology of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae stir-fried with Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction is A_2B_2C_3, that is, 10% of Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction is used for moistening Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae and processed at 130 ℃ for 11 min. The detoxification mechanism involves enhancing the expression levels of NQO1 and GCLM antio-xidant proteins and related antioxidant enzymes in the liver.

Toward Precision Medicine: Circadian Rhythm of Blood Pressure and Chronotherapy for Hypertension - 2021 NHLBI Workshop Report.

Healthy individuals exhibit blood pressure variation over a 24-hour period with higher blood pressure during wakefulness and lower blood pressure during sleep. Loss or disruption of the blood pressure circadian rhythm has been linked to adverse health outcomes, for example, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and chronic kidney disease. However, the current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches lack sufficient attention to the circadian rhythmicity of blood pressure. Sleep patterns, hormone release, eating habits, digestion, body temperature, renal and cardiovascular function, and other important host functions as well as gut microbiota exhibit circadian rhythms, and influence circadian rhythms of blood pressure. Potential benefits of nonpharmacologic interventions such as meal timing, and pharmacologic chronotherapeutic interventions, such as the bedtime administration of antihypertensive medications, have recently been suggested in some studies. However, the mechanisms underlying circadian rhythm-mediated blood pressure regulation and the efficacy of chronotherapy in hypertension remain unclear. This review summarizes the results of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute workshop convened on October 27 to 29, 2021 to assess knowledge gaps and research opportunities in the study of circadian rhythm of blood pressure and chronotherapy for hypertension.

Preoperative bowel preparation promotes intestinal functional recovery after esophagectomy.

Background: Patients are prone to intestinal dysfunction after esophagectomy. The value of preoperative bowel preparation before esophagectomy is controversial. There is a lack of evidence as to whether preoperative bowel preparation can help patients improve bowel function and shorten the recovery time of bowel function. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to explore whether preoperative bowel preparation can promote the recovery of intestinal function after esophagectomy. Methods: We analysed 139 patients who underwent elective radical esophagectomy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from May 2016 to December 2018. The enrolled patients were divided into the study group (bowel preparation group) and the control group (no bowel preparation group) of 71 cases and 68 cases. Patients in the study group were given dissolved polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder and a cleansing enema the day before surgery. Patients in the control group were neither given polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder nor cleansing enemas before surgery. The postoperative recovery of the two groups were compared. Results: Postoperative bed rest time, bowel function recovery time and the time of first flatus and defecation after surgery were significantly shorter in patients with bowel preparation than in those without bowel preparation, and the differences were statistically significant. (P=0.038, P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001; respectively). Conclusions: Preoperative bowel preparation can promote the recovery of patients with esophageal cancer, especially the recovery of bowel function, which can reduce the pain caused by abdominal distension and improve the quality of life of patients.

Guang Chen Pi (the pericarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco's cultivars 'Chachi') inhibits macrophage-derived foam cell formation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The dried pericarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco (CP) occupies an important position in the history of clinical applications of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In traditional use, CP is used to treat diseases related to the digestive, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems, as well as to regulate Qi and promote blood circulation throughout the body. In China, a special cultivar of CP named Guang Chen Pi (GCP) which is collected exclusively from Citrus reticulata Blanco's cultivars 'Chachi', is considered to be the best CP with high medicinal and dietary value. Modern pharmacology shows that CP has high effect on regulating metabolic disorders and cardiovascular systems diseases. Atherosclerosis (AS) is not only an inflammatory disease but also cardiovascular lipid metabolism disorder. Foam cells formation is the hallmark of AS. Several reports indicated that CP can mitigate the development of AS, but involved signaling pathway and its role in foam cell formation is unclear. Since the main components of GCP has protective effects in cardiovascular diseases, we evaluated its effect of inhibiting foam cell formation to support the traditional usage of GCP. AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective of this study aims to investigate the effects of GCP on suppressing RAW264.7 foam cell formation and anti-inflammatory in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the anti-foam cell formation and anti-inflammatory activity of GCP, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) induced RAW264.7 macrophages model was involved. Meantime, foam cell developing status was also closely monitored. RT-qPCR and Western blot were then applied to further investigate receptors in associated signaling pathways. RESULTS: GCP shown inhibitory effect on macrophage-derived foam cell formation in Oil Red O staining analysis, which was further confirmed by flow cytometry of Dil-ox-LDL staining and TG and TC analysis. The HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux was also promoted by GCP. Mechanistic studies showed that GCP significantly down-regulate SRA1 and CD36 protein expression, while significantly increasing the expression of PPARγ, LXRα, SRB1 and ABCG1. Also, GCP reduced ox-LDL-induced inflammatory factors level, and inhibited phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, JNK1/2, NF-κB p65 and IKKα/ß. CONCLUSIONS: GCP exhibited anti-atherogenic ability by interfering RAW264.7 foam cell formation, through inhibiting lipid uptake and promoting HDL-mediated cholesterol. PPARγ-LXRα-ABCG1/SRB1 pathway and its anti-inflammatory effect may involve. This proposed anti-foam cell formation activity is expected to provide new insight on comprehensive utilization of GCP.

[Preliminary exploration of detoxification mechanism of processing methods on cardiotoxicity induced by radix Tripterygium wilfordii in mice via Nrf2/HO-1 pathway].

This study aims to investigate the detoxification effects of different processing methods on the cardiotoxicity induced by radix Tripterygium wilfordii, and preliminarily explore the detoxification mechanism via the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1(HO-1) pathway. The raw and processed products [stir-fried product, product stir-fried with Lysimachiae Herba(JQC), product stir-fried with Phaseoli Radiati Semen(LD), product stir-fried with Paeoniae Radix Alba(BS), product stir-fried with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(GC), and product stir-fried with vinegar(CZ)] of radix T. wilfordii were administrated to mice by gavage at a dose of 2 g·kg~(-1)(based on crude drugs) for 28 days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, we measured the serum biochemical indexes of mice to evaluate the detoxification effect. Furthermore, we determined the expression of key proteins of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in mouse heart tissue by Western blot and some oxidation/antioxidation-related indexes by corresponding kits to explore the detoxification mechanism. The administration of the raw product elevated the levels of serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and malondialdehyde, a product of cardiac lipid peroxidation(P<0.01), down-regulated the protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1(P<0.01), and reduced the levels of total superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase(P<0.01). However, after the administration of the products stir-fried with JQC, LD, BS, GC, and CZ, the abnormalities of the above indexes induced by the raw product were recovered(P<0.05 or P<0.01). In particular, the product stir-fried with JQC showed the best performance. Taken all together, the cardiotoxicity induced by radix T. wilfordii could be attenuated by stir-frying with JQC, LD, BS, GC, and CZ, and the stir-frying with JQC showed the best detoxification effect. The mechanism might be associated with the cardiac antioxidant defense and oxidative damage mitigation mediated by the up-regulated Nrf2.

Characterization and Heterologous Expression of UDP-Glucose 4-Epimerase From a Hericium erinaceus Mutant with High Polysaccharide Production.

Hericium erinaceus is an important medicinal fungus in traditional Chinese medicine because of its polysaccharides and other natural products. Compared terpenoids and polyketides, the analysis of synthetic pathway of polysaccharides is more difficult because of the many genes involved in central metabolism. In previous studies, A6180, encoding a putative UDP-glucose 4-epimerase (UGE) in an H. erinaceus mutant with high production of active polysaccharides, was significantly upregulated. Since there is no reliable genetic manipulation technology for H. erinaceus, we employed Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to study the function and activity of A6180. The recombinant overexpression vector pET22b-A6180 was constructed for heterologous expression in E. coli. The enzymatic properties of the recombinant protein were investigated. It showed that the recombinant A6180 could strongly convert UDP-α-D-glucose into UDP-α-D-galactose under optimal conditions (pH 6.0, 30°C). In addition, when A6180 was introduced into S. cerevisiae BY4742, xylose was detected in the polysaccharide composition of the yeast transformant. This suggested that the protein coded by A6180 might be a multifunctional enzyme. The generated polysaccharides with a new composition of sugars showed enhanced macrophage activity in vitro. These results indicate that A6180 plays an important role in the structure and activity of polysaccharides. It is a promising strategy for producing polysaccharides with higher activity by introducing A6180 into polysaccharide-producing mushrooms.

Grb2 Induces Cardiorenal Syndrome Type 3: Roles of IL-6, Cardiomyocyte Bioenergetics, and Akt/mTOR Pathway.

Cardiorenal syndrome type 3 (CRS-3) is damage to the heart following acute kidney injury (AKI). Although many experiments have found that inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardiomyocyte death are involved in cardiomyocyte pathophysiological alterations during CRS-3, they lack a non-bias analysis to figure out the primary mediator of cardiac dysfunction. Herein proteomic analysis was operated in CRS-3 and growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) was identified as a regulator involving AKI-related myocardial damage. Increased Grb2 was associated with cardiac diastolic dysfunction and mitochondrial bioenergetics impairment; these pathological changes could be reversed through the administration of a Grb2-specific inhibitor during AKI. Molecular investigation illustrated that augmented Grb2 promoted cardiomyocyte mitochondrial metabolism disorder through inhibiting the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Besides that, Mouse Inflammation Array Q1 further identified IL-6 as the upstream stimulator of Grb2 upregulation after AKI. Exogenous administration of IL-6 induced cardiomyocyte damage and mitochondrial bioenergetics impairment, whereas these effects were nullified in cardiomyocytes pretreated with Grb2 inhibitor. Our results altogether identify CRS-3 to be caused by the upregulations of IL-6/Grb2 which contribute to cardiac dysfunction through inhibiting the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and inducing cardiomyocyte mitochondrial bioenergetics impairment. This finding provides a potential target for the clinical treatment of patients with CRS-3.

[Prediction model of mid-term fatality risk after radical resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma based on ALBI-grade].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a clinical prediction model of the mid-term fatality risk after radical resection in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade and to assess its prediction value. METHODS: Clinical data of 533 patients who received HCC radical resection in Jinhua Hospital of Zhejiang University, Jinhua People's Hospital, Jinhua Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Jinhua Guangfu Hospital from January 2010 to August 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. In the training group ( n=407), Cox model was used to screen the clinical risk factors of postoperative death, and a predictive model based on ALBI grade was established and then examined in the validation group ( n=126). The value of the prediction model was assessed by ROC curve and calibration curve; the prediction results of the model were visualized by the nomogram for the convenience of clinical use. RESULTS: Cox model showed that ALT ≥ 80 U/L, tumor maximum diameter ≥ 5 cm, portal vein tumor thrombus and ALBI grade 2 were independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with HCC radical resection. The prognosis index (PI) was 0.550×ALT+0.512×ALBI grade+0.872×maximum tumor diameter+1.377×portal vein tumor thrombus. The AUCs for predicting the risk of death in 12, 36 and 60 months were 0.872, 0.814 and 0.810, respectively (all P < 0.01), and the goodness of fit ( r 2) of the established model were 0.953, 0.976 and 0.994. AUC of the established model for predicting risk of death in 36 months after resection was 0.814, which was higher than those of ALBI (AUC=0.683), BCLC (AUC=0.713), CLIP (AUC=0.689), Child-Pugh (AUC=0.645), TNM (AUC=0.612) ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ALT ≥ 80 U/L, maximum tumor diameter ≥ 5 cm, portal vein tumor thrombus and ALBI grade 2 are independent risk factors of patients after HCC resection, and ALBI grade-based prediction model is satisfactory in prediction of mid-term death risk of the patients.

Network pharmacology-based prediction of the active ingredients and mechanism of Shen Gui capsule for application to coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Shen Gui capsule (SGC) is a new national drug in China that is widely used in clinical practice and has significant therapeutic effects on coronary heart disease (CHD). However, its active ingredients and mechanism of action for treating coronary heart disease remain unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to systematically explore the mechanism and efficacy of SGC in the "multicomponent-multitarget- multipathway" treatment for CHD using network pharmacology technology. METHODS: The potential active ingredients of SGC were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and screened by pharmacokinetic parameters. Their possible targets were predicted using the TCMSP and DrugBank database. The CHD-related targets were identified from Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), UniProt, and PharmGKB database. The compound-target-disease network was constructed using Cytoscape for visualization. Additionally, the protein functional annotation and identification of signaling pathways of potential targets were performed by Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analysis using the Metascape platform. RESULTS: The 61 active ingredients of SGC were found to regulate neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, estrogen signaling pathway and other pathways through 62 targets. SGC is involved in regulating the circulatory system, nervous system and immune system and other aspects of the body, and thus plays a significant role in the treatment of CHD and its complications, showing the mechanism of SGC's "multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway" prevention and treatment of CHD. In addition, three predictive components were first found to have potential biological activity by this method. CONCLUSION: The studies we have performed successfully predict the effective components and potential targets of SGC in the prevention and treatment of CHD, which helped to systematically clarify its mechanism of action and provided a direction for future research on the modern mechanism of SGC in the treatment of CHD.

Methoxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)methyl benzoate inhibits spinal cord injury in the rat model via PPAR-γ/PI3K/p-Akt activation.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is the most commonly seen trauma leading to disability in people worldwide. The purpose of current study was to determine the protective effect of methoxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)methyl benzoate (HMPB) on SCI in rat model. TUNEL staining was used to examine apoptotic changes in spinal cord of SCI rats. The ELISA kits were employed to assess inflammatory processes and oxidative factors in the spinal cord tissues. Behavioral changes in SCI rats were assessed using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring system. Western blotting was used for assessment of proteins. The HMPB treatment of SCI rats reduced apoptotic cell number based on the concentration of dose administered. Treatment of SCI rats with HMPB enhanced BBB score and decreased accumulation of water content in SCI rats significantly. On treatment with HMPB the TNF-α and interleukin-6/1ß/18 levels were suppressed in SCI rats. Treatment with HMPB induced excessive release of SOD, CAT, and GSH molecules and decreased overproduction of MDA. The SCI induced upregulation of caspase-3/9 activity was completely alleviated by HMPB at 2 mg/kg dose. The HMPB treatment of SCI rats promoted peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) expression, reduced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 production and increased expression of p-Akt and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p-PI3K). The study demonstrated that HMPB suppressed apoptosis, raised BBB score and inhibited inflammation in SCI rats. Moreover, activation of PI3K/Akt in the spinal cord tissues of SCI rats was promoted by HMPB. Therefore, HMPB has protective effect on SCI in the rat model.

Transcriptome Response to Drought, Rehydration and Re-Dehydration in Potato.

Potato is an important food crop and its production is susceptible to drought. Drought stress in crop growth is usually multiple- or long-term. In this study, the drought tolerant potato landrace Jancko Sisu Yari was treated with drought stress, rehydration and re-dehydration, and RNA-seq was applied to analyze the characteristics of gene regulation during these treatments. The results showed that drought-responsive genes mainly involved photosynthesis, signal transduction, lipid metabolism, sugar metabolism, wax synthesis, cell wall regulation, osmotic adjustment. Potato also can be recovered well in the re-emergence of water through gene regulation. The recovery of rehydration mainly related to patatin, lipid metabolism, sugar metabolism, flavonoids metabolism and detoxification besides the reverse expression of the most of drought-responsive genes. The previous drought stress can produce a positive responsive ability to the subsequent drought by drought hardening. Drought hardening was not only reflected in the drought-responsive genes related to the modified structure and cell components, but also in the hardening of gene expression or the "memory" of drought-responsive genes. Abundant genes involved photosynthesis, signal transduction, sugar metabolism, protease and protease inhibitors, flavonoids metabolism, transporters and transcription factors were subject to drought hardening or memorized drought in potato.

A comprehensive expression analysis of the expansin gene family in potato (Solanum tuberosum) discloses stress-responsive expansin-like B genes for drought and heat tolerances.

Expansin is a type of cell wall elongation and stress relaxation protein involved in various developmental processes and stress resistances in plant. In this study, we identified 36 potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genes belonging to the expansin (StEXP) gene family from the genome reference. These genes included 24 α-expansins (StEXPAs), five ß-expansins (StEXPBs), one expansin-like A (StEXLA) and six expansin-like B (StEXLBs). The RNA-Seq analysis conducted from a variety of tissue types showed 34 expansins differentially expressed among tissues, some of which only expressed in specific tissues. Most of the StEXPAs and StEXPB2 transcripts were more abundant in young tuber compared with other tissues, suggesting they likely play a role in tuber development. There were 31 genes, especially StEXLB6, showed differential expression under the treatments of ABA, IAA and GA3, as well as under the drought and heat stresses, indicating they were likely involved in potato stress resistance. In addition, the gene co-expression analysis indicated the StEXLBs likely contribute to a wider range of stress resistances compared with other genes. We found the StEXLA and six StEXLBs expressed differently under a range of abiotic stresses (salt, alkaline, heavy metals, drought, heat, and cold stresses), which likely participated in the associated signaling pathways. Comparing with the control group, potato growing under the drought or heat stresses exhibited up-regulation of the all six StEXLB genes in leaves, whereas, the StEXLB3, StEXLB4, StEXLB5 and StEXLB6 showed relatively higher expression levels in roots. This suggested these genes likely played a role in the drought and heat tolerance. Overall, this study has shown the potential role of the StEXP genes in potato growth and stress tolerance, and provided fundamental resources for the future studies in potato breeding.

The Role of the Late Embryogenesis-Abundant (LEA) Protein Family in Development and the Abiotic Stress Response: A Comprehensive Expression Analysis of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum).

Late embryogenesis-abundant (LEA) proteins are a large and highly diverse family believed to function in normal plant growth and development, and in protecting cells from abiotic stress. This study presents a characterisation of 74 Solanum tuberosum LEA (StLEA) proteins belonging to nine groups. StLEA genes have few introns (≤2) and are distributed on all chromosomes, occurring as gene clusters on chromosomes 1, 2, and 10. All four StASR (StLEA7 group) genes were concentrated on chromosome 4, suggesting their evolutionary conservation on one chromosome. Expression profiles of StLEA genes, in different tissues and in response to hormone and stress treatments, indicated that 71 StLEA genes had differential expression levels, of which 68 StLEA genes were differentially expressed in response to hormones and stress exposure in the potato. Continuous high expression of StASR-2, StLEA3-3, StDHN-3, StLEA2-29, and StLEA2-14 in different tissues indicated their contribution to plant development processes. StLEA2-14, StLEA2-31, StLEA3-3, StASR-1, and StDHN-1 were upregulated by six abiotic stresses, showing their tolerance to a wide spectrum of environmental stresses. Expression analysis of 17 selected StLEA genes in response to drought, salt, heavy metal, heat, and cold treatments by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction indicated that StLEA proteins may be involved in distinct signalling pathways. Taken together, StLEA3, StDHN, and StASR subgroup genes may be excellent resources for potato defence against environmental stresses. These results provide valuable information and robust candidate genes for future functional analysis aimed at improving the stress tolerance of the potato.

[Establishment of a plant phosphorus utilization and weed control system based on phosphite and its dehydrogenase].

Nowadays, available phosphorus (P) deficiency in soil and weed resistance to herbicides have emerged as two severe limiting factors for sustainable agriculture. Therefore, it is of urgent needs to improve plant absorption/utilization ability of the soil P, seek phosphate (Pi)-alternative P fertilizers, and develop new forms of weed control systems. Phosphite (Phi), as a P resource of relatively high amount only less than Pi in Earth, can be converted to utilizable Pi uniquely in some bacterial species by oxidization via its specific dehydrogenase (PTDH), but inhibits plant growth and development. This implies that Phi might rather become a suitable P fertilizer for plants if introducing a PTDH detoxifier from bacteria. Herein, we created the transgenic tobaccos harboring a Pseudomonas PTDH gene (PsPtx) amplified from the soil metagenome previously. RT-PCR showed that the exotic PsPtx gene could express similarly in root, stem and leaf tissues of all transgenic lines. PsPtx transgenic tobaccos could utilize Phi by oxidization as the sole Pi supply, and also outperformed wild-type tobacco with a remarkably dominant growth under Phi stress conditions. Moreover, the PsPtx gene was preliminarily evaluated with a notable quality as a potential candidate of the selection marker in plant genetic transformation. Conclusively, PsPtx and its encoded phosphite dehydrogenase might be applicable for developing a dual system of plant phosphorus utilization and weed control using Phi as P fertilizer and herbicide, and provide an effectual solution to some obstacles in the current crop transgenic studies.

Titanium Ions Promote Exogenous Calcium-Dependent Calcium Influx in Activated Jurkat T Cells: A Possible Mechanism to Explain Its Immunostimulatory Properties.

Titanium and its alloys have been widely used in dental and orthopedic implants. Owing to the biotribocorrosion behavior of implants in simulated oral environment, Ti(IV) ions could be released into surrounding tissues. Current studies have found that Ti(IV) ions could affect the biological activities of immune cells in adjacent tissues and subsequently jeopardize the long-term performance of implant prostheses. However, the potential mechanism underlying its immunomodulatory properties remains unclear. Calcium signaling has been confirmed to be involved in regulation of lymphocyte immune function. Therefore, we hypothesize that Ti(IV) ions modulated T cell function through the change of intracellular calcium concentrations. This study is aimed at exploring the role of intracellular calcium responses in the modulatory effect of Ti(IV) ions on unactivated and phytohemagglutinin-activated Jurkat T cells. Here, we confirmed that Ti(IV) ions within a certain concentration range induced CD69 expression on both unactivated and activated T cells in our study. Additionally, the combined stimulation with Ti(IV) ions and PHA increased expression of IL-1ß, TNF-α, and RANKL. Furthermore, we found that treatment with Ti(IV) induced a transitory increase in the levels of [Ca2+]i in activated Jurkat cells, dependent on the presence of exogenous calcium. Treatment with different doses of Ti(IV) for 24 h significantly increased the levels of [Ca2+]i in the activated Jurkat cells in a dose-dependent manner, but had little effect in the unactivated cells. Treatment with Ti(IV) did not significantly affect the PLCγ1 activation and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) secretion in Jurkat cells. Taken together, these data indicated that Ti(IV) enhanced calcium influx during the T cell activation, independent of IP3-mediated intracellular calcium release. Our work provides insights into the mechanism involved in the regulation of lymphocyte behaviors under the effect of Ti(IV) ions, which may help to develop therapeutic strategies for dental implant failures.

Pectin Enhances Bio-Control Efficacy by Inducing Colonization and Secretion of Secondary Metabolites by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQY 162 in the Rhizosphere of Tobacco.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is a plant-beneficial Gram-positive bacterium involved in suppressing soil-borne pathogens through the secretion of secondary metabolites and high rhizosphere competence. Biofilm formation is regarded as a prerequisite for high rhizosphere competence. In this work, we show that plant extracts affect the chemotaxis and biofilm formation of B. amyloliquefaciens SQY 162 (SQY 162). All carbohydrates tested induced the chemotaxis and biofilm formation of the SQY 162 strain; however, the bacterial growth rate was not influenced by the addition of carbohydrates. A strong chemotactic response and biofilm formation of SQY 162 were both induced by pectin through stimulation of surfactin synthesis and transcriptional expression of biofilm formation related matrix genes. These results suggested that pectin might serve as an environmental factor in the stimulation of the biofilm formation of SQY 162. Furthermore, in pot experiments the surfactin production and the population of SQY 162 in the rhizosphere significantly increased with the addition of sucrose or pectin, whereas the abundance of the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia decreased. With increased production of secondary metabolites in the rhizosphere of tobacco by SQY 162 and improved colonization density of SQY 162 in the pectin treatment, the disease incidences of bacterial wilt were efficiently suppressed. The present study revealed that certain plant extracts might serve as energy sources or environmental cues for SQY 162 to enhance the population density on tobacco root and bio-control efficacy of tobacco bacterial wilt.