Inhibition of miR-148b ameliorates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via regulation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Our work aims to elucidate the effect how microRNA-148b (miR-148b) participated in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury via regulation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. The in vivo myocardial I/R models of SD rats and in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) models of H9C2 cells were established. The heart function and infarction area of rats and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were evaluated. Myocardial cell viability was measured using positron emission tomography combined with computer tomography and (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, and the apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling method and flow cytometry; quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to detect the related molecules expressions. The myocardial infarction area of rats was significantly increased with reductions in LVSP, + dp/dtmax, - dp/dtmax, LVFS%, LVEF% and standardized uptake value and elevation in left ventricular developed pressure after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and the LDH, CK, and MDA levels were enhanced with the decreased SOD. The apoptotic rates were higher in I/R rats and H/R H9C2 cells with upregulated miR-148b and cleaved caspase-3, but decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio; and meanwhile, the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway was inhibited. Additionally, the H/R-induced H9C2 cells also exhibited decreased cell viability. MiR-148b overexpression further aggravated I/R injury of rats, whereas inhibition of miR-148b reduced I/R and H/R injury through activation of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. In addition, Wnt-1 small interfering RNA exposure abolished the effect of miR-148b inhibitor on H/R injury of H9C2 cells. Inhibition of miR-148b improved the antioxidative ability and myocardial cell survival to suppress its apoptosis by activating Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, thus ameliorating the myocardial I/R injury.

Research progress of photoperiod regulated genes on flowering time in rice.

Rice flowering regulation is an extremely complex process, which is controlled by genetic factors and external environment. Photoperiodic regulatory pathway is pivotal to control flowering in rice, in which florigen genes Hd3a and RTF1 are at the core and they are regulated by upstream Hd1-dependent, Ehd1-dependent, as well as both Hd1- and Ehd1-independent pathways. The three pathways bring a variety of light signal information together to Hd3a and RTF1 for further integration, and then transmit the signals in the form of florigen to the downstream flowering related genes. In this review, we summarize the research progress of photoperiod regulated genes on flowering time in rice, including the photoreceptors and circadian rhythm genes, the florigens, its upstream, downstream and interacting genes. We hope to provide a reference for in-depth study of rice flowering regulation.

[Evaluation of intraocular lens power after keratorefractive surgery by IOLMaster].

OBJECTIVE: To study the accuracy of different formulas predicting intraocular lens (IOL) power after excimer laser keratorefractive surgery in order to calculate the diopter of IOL accurately in the clinical practice. METHODS: One hundred and eleven cases (222 eyes) were collected in this study and were divided into two groups (A and B) according to their axial length. Fifty-nine cases (118 eyes) with axial lengths of 24-26 mm were taken as group A, and 52 cases (104 eyes) with axial length of more than 26 mm were taken as group B. All of the subjects enrolled in this study were examined by the IOL-Master before and after LASIK, including the axial length, corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth (ACD), and the IOL power which was predicted by the SRK-II, SRK/T, Hoffer Q, Holladay, Haigis-L formulas and the Clinical History method offered by IOL-Master. The significance of the differences was analysed by using student's t-test. RESULTS: The corneal curvature after LASIK decreased significantly (t = 12.10, P < 0.01); the length of axis and ACD also decreased but had no significant differences as compared with pre-operation. The IOL powers of the two groups offered by the Haigis-L formula were significantly more than that offered by other formulas (t = 0.54, 1.21, P < 0.01). The difference between the Haigis and Haigis-L formulas was the smallest, and the difference between the SRK-II and Haigis-L formula was the greatest. The IOL powers offered by the clinical history method were higher than that offered by these formulas; the differences were significant in both group A and group B, except the group A in SRK-II (t = 0.00, -1.73, 0.00, P < 0.01). The IOL powers offered by Haigis-L were greater than that from the clinical history method or other formulas and showed significant differences except that between Haigis-L and CH-Haigis or CH-Haigis-L formula (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Taking into consideration the difference of IOL power offered by Haigis-L formula as compared with other current formulas, evaluation by IOL-Master will be helpful for improving the accuracy of IOL power prediction for the cataract eyes receiving corneal refractive surgery. However, the accuracy of the Haigis-L formula for eyes after corneal refractive surgery still requires to be confirmed by a further series of clinic data.

[Simulation model on barley yield formation].

By the method of yield component, a simulation model on barley yield formation was established, which could be available for different barley cultivars in different areas. The establishment process of the model was as the following. With the yield components of different cultivars under optimal conditions in Wuhan, Yangzhou, and Kunming as the bases, the regression equations of the relative values of ears per plant, kernels per ears, and thousand-grain weight with the accumulated photosynthetic effective radiation (SigmaPAR) were established, and the functional relations between the ears per plant, kernels per ears, and thousand-grain weight under actual conditions as well as their potential values under optimal conditions and the variables soil moisture regime and nutrient contents under actual conditions were formed. The model more comprehensively considered the internal and external factors of barley growth and development. The internal factors reflecting the genetic properties of cultivar included potential ears per plant, potential kernels per ear, potential thousand grain weight, and grain-filling duration; while the external factors included SigmaPAR and soil moisture regime and nutrient contents. Field experiments with different barley cultivars at different sowing dates were conducted in Wuhan, Kunming, and Yangzhou, and the data obtained were used to calibrate and validate the model. The results showed that the model better simulated the yield components and theoretical yield, with the average absolute values of relative error (RE) of ears per plant, kernels per ear, and thousand-grain weight being 1.96%, 1.88% and 1.67%, respectively. The correlation coefficient from y = x regression analysis on the simulated and observed values of the three yield components and theoretical yield was between 0.9464 and 0.9987, indicating that this model was more predictable and applicable.