Transcriptome Screening of Long Noncoding RNAs and Their Target Protein-Coding Genes Unmasks a Dynamic Portrait of Seed Coat Coloration Associated with Anthocyanins in Tibetan Hulless Barley.

Many plants have the capability to accumulate anthocyanins for coloration, and anthocyanins are advantageous to human health. In the case of hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum), investigation into the mechanism of anthocyanin formation is limited to the level of protein-coding genes (PCGs). Here, we conducted a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis to identify a total of 9414 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the seed coats of purple and white hulless barley along a developmental gradient. Transcriptome-wide profiles of lncRNAs documented several properties, including GC content fluctuation, uneven length, a diverse range of exon numbers, and a wide variety of transcript classifications. We found that certain lncRNAs in hulless barley possess detectable sequence conservation with Hordeum vulgare and other monocots. Furthermore, both differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and PCGs (DEPCGs) were concentrated in the later seed development stages. On the one hand, DElncRNAs could potentially cis-regulate DEPCGs associated with multiple metabolic pathways, including flavonoid and anthocyanin biosynthesis in the late milk and soft dough stages. On the other hand, there was an opportunity for trans-regulated lncRNAs in the color-forming module to affect seed coat color by upregulating PCGs in the anthocyanin pathway. In addition, the interweaving of hulless barley lncRNAs and diverse TFs may function in seed coat coloration. Notably, we depicted a dynamic portrait of the anthocyanin synthesis pathway containing hulless barley lncRNAs. Therefore, this work provides valuable gene resources and more insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying anthocyanin accumulation in hulless barley from the perspective of lncRNAs, which facilitate the development of molecular design breeding in crops.

Biosynthetic Plastics as Tunable Elastic and Visible Stent with Shape-Memory to Treat Biliary Stricture.

Common biliary tract is ≈4 mm in diameter to deliver bile from liver to small intestine to help digestion. The abnormal narrowing leads to severe symptoms such as pain and nausea. Stents are an effective treatment. Compared with non-degradable stents which require repeated removal, biodegradable stents have the advantage of reducing secondary injury related to endoscopic operation and patient burden. However, current biodegradable materials may cause tissue hyperplasia and the treatment method does not target etiology of stricture. So recurrence rates after biodegradable stent implantation are still high. Here, a biodegradable helical stent fabricated from biosynthetic P(3HB-co-4HB) is reported. Tunable properties can be acquired through altering culture substrates. Stent shows shape memory in various solvents. The stent has an optimized design with helical structure and outer track. The self-expanding of helical structure and double drainage realized by outer track greatly improve drainage of bile. Importantly, stent-loading triamcinolone acetonide can inhibit proliferation of fibroblasts and reduce incidence of restricture. Therapeutic effect is also demonstrated in minipigs with biliary stricture. The results of minipig experiments show that biliary duct in treatment group is unobstructed and tissue hyperplasia is effectively inhibited.

Bridging wounds: tissue adhesives' essential mechanisms, synthesis and characterization, bioinspired adhesives and future perspectives.

Bioadhesives act as a bridge in wound closure by forming an effective interface to protect against liquid and gas leakage and aid the stoppage of bleeding. To their credit, tissue adhesives have made an indelible impact on almost all wound-related surgeries. Their unique properties include minimal damage to tissues, low chance of infection, ease of use and short wound-closure time. In contrast, classic closures, like suturing and stapling, exhibit potential additional complications with long operation times and undesirable inflammatory responses. Although tremendous progress has been made in the development of tissue adhesives, they are not yet ideal. Therefore, highlighting and summarizing existing adhesive designs and synthesis, and comparing the different products will contribute to future development. This review first provides a summary of current commercial traditional tissue adhesives. Then, based on adhesion interaction mechanisms, the tissue adhesives are categorized into three main types: adhesive patches that bind molecularly with tissue, tissue-stitching adhesives based on pre-polymer or precursor solutions, and bioinspired or biomimetic tissue adhesives. Their specific adhesion mechanisms, properties and related applications are discussed. The adhesion mechanisms of commercial traditional adhesives as well as their limitations and shortcomings are also reviewed. Finally, we also discuss the future perspectives of tissue adhesives.