WAPO-A1 is the causal gene of the 7AL QTL for spikelet number per spike in wheat.

Improving our understanding of the genes regulating grain yield can contribute to the development of more productive wheat varieties. Previously, a highly significant QTL affecting spikelet number per spike (SNS), grain number per spike (GNS) and grain yield was detected on chromosome arm 7AL in multiple genome-wide association studies. Using a high-resolution genetic map, we established that the A-genome homeolog of WHEAT ORTHOLOG OF APO1 (WAPO-A1) was a leading candidate gene for this QTL. Using mutants and transgenic plants, we demonstrate in this study that WAPO-A1 is the causal gene underpinning this QTL. Loss-of-function mutants wapo-A1 and wapo-B1 showed reduced SNS in tetraploid wheat, and the effect was exacerbated in wapo1 combining both mutations. By contrast, spikes of transgenic wheat plants carrying extra copies of WAPO-A1 driven by its native promoter had higher SNS, a more compact spike apical region and a smaller terminal spikelet than the wild type. Taken together, these results indicate that WAPO1 affects SNS by regulating the timing of terminal spikelet formation. Both transgenic and wapo1 mutant plants showed a wide range of floral abnormalities, indicating additional roles of WAPO1 on wheat floral development. Previously, we found three widespread haplotypes in the QTL region (H1, H2 and H3), each associated with particular WAPO-A1 alleles. Results from this and our previous study show that the WAPO-A1 allele in the H1 haplotype (115-bp deletion in the promoter) is expressed at significantly lower levels in the developing spikes than the alleles in the H2 and H3 haplotypes, resulting in reduced SNS. Field experiments also showed that the H2 haplotype is associated with the strongest effects in increasing SNS and GNS (H2>H3>H1). The H2 haplotype is already present in most modern common wheat varieties but is rare in durum wheat, where it might be particularly useful to improve grain yield.

Mapping and characterization of rust resistance genes Lr53 and Yr35 introgressed from Aegilops species.

KEY MESSAGE: The rust resistance genes Lr53 and Yr35 were introgressed into bread wheat from Aegilops longissima or Aegilops sharonensis or their S-genome containing species and mapped to the telomeric region of chromosome arm 6BS. Wheat leaf and stripe rusts are damaging fungal diseases of wheat worldwide. Breeding for resistance is a sustainable approach to control these two foliar diseases. In this study, we used SNP analysis, sequence comparisons, and cytogenetic assays to determine that the chromosomal segment carrying Lr53 and Yr35 was originated from Ae.longissima or Ae. sharonensis or their derived species. In seedling tests, Lr53 conferred strong resistance against all five Chinese Pt races tested, and Yr35 showed effectiveness against Pst race CYR34 but susceptibility to race CYR32. Using a large population (3892 recombinant gametes) derived from plants homozygous for the ph1b mutation obtained from the cross 98M71 × CSph1b, both Lr53 and Yr35 were successfully mapped to a 6.03-Mb telomeric region of chromosome arm 6BS in the Chinese Spring reference genome v1.1. Co-segregation between Lr53 and Yr35 was observed within this large mapping population. Within the candidate region, several nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat genes and protein kinases were identified as candidate genes. Marker pku6B3127 was completely linked to both genes and accurately predicted the absence or presence of alien segment harboring Lr53 and Yr35 in 87 tetraploid and 149 hexaploid wheat genotypes tested. We developed a line with a smaller alien segment (< 6.03 Mb) to reduce any potential linkage drag and demonstrated that it conferred resistance levels similar to those of the original donor parent 98M71. The newly developed introgression line and closely linked PCR markers will accelerate the deployment of Lr53 and Yr35 in wheat breeding programs.

High-resolution mapping of SrTm4, a recessive resistance gene to wheat stem rust.

KEY MESSAGE: The diploid wheat recessive stem rust resistance gene SrTm4 was fine-mapped to a 754-kb region on chromosome arm 2AmL and potential candidate genes were identified. Race Ug99 of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), the causal agent of wheat stem (or black) rust is one of the most serious threats to global wheat production. The identification, mapping, and deployment of effective stem rust resistance (Sr) genes are critical to reduce this threat. In this study, we generated SrTm4 monogenic lines and found that this gene confers resistance to North American and Chinese Pgt races. Using a large mapping population (9522 gametes), we mapped SrTm4 within a 0.06 cM interval flanked by marker loci CS4211 and 130K1519, which corresponds to a 1.0-Mb region in the Chinese Spring reference genome v2.1. A physical map of the SrTm4 region was constructed with 11 overlapping BACs from the resistant Triticum monococcum PI 306540. Comparison of the 754-kb physical map with the genomic sequence of Chinese Spring and a discontinuous BAC sequence of DV92 revealed a 593-kb chromosomal inversion in PI 306540. Within the candidate region, we identified an L-type lectin-domain containing receptor kinase (LLK1), which was disrupted by the proximal inversion breakpoint, as a potential candidate gene. Two diagnostic dominant markers were developed to detect the inversion breakpoints. In a survey of T. monococcum accessions, we identified 10 domesticated T. monococcum subsp. monococcum genotypes, mainly from the Balkans, carrying the inversion and showing similar mesothetic resistant infection types against Pgt races. The high-density map and tightly linked molecular markers developed in this study are useful tools to accelerate the deployment of SrTm4-mediated resistance in wheat breeding programs.

CD79A work as a potential target for the prognosis of patients with OSCC: analysis of immune cell infiltration in oral squamous cell carcinoma based on the CIBERSORTx deconvolution algorithm.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the abundance of infiltrating tumor immune cells in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to search for potential targets that can predict patient prognosis. METHODS: A total of 400 samples from 210 patients with OSCC were collected using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. CIBERSORTx was used to evaluate the infiltration abundance of tumor immune cells. Potential target genes were searched to predict patient prognosis through case grouping, differential analysis, and enrichment analysis. Surgical excisional tissue sections of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma admitted to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, from 2015 to 2018 were collected and followed up. RESULTS: The CIBERSORTx deconvolution algorithm was used to analyze the infiltration abundance of immune cells in the samples. Cases with a high infiltration abundance of naive and memory B lymphocytes improved the prognosis of OSCC patients. The prognosis of patients with low CD79A expression was significantly better than that of patients with high CD79A expression. CONCLUSION: CD79A can predict the infiltration abundance of B lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment of patients with OSCC. CD79A is a potential target for predicting the prognosis of patients with OSCC. This study provides novel ideas for the treatment of OSCC and for predicting patient prognosis.

Identification and characterization of Sr22b, a new allele of the wheat stem rust resistance gene Sr22 effective against the Ug99 race group.

Wheat stem (or black) rust, caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), has been historically among the most devastating global fungal diseases of wheat. The recent occurrence and spread of new virulent races such as Ug99 have prompted global efforts to identify and isolate more effective stem rust resistance (Sr) genes. Here, we report the map-based cloning of the Ug99-effective SrTm5 gene from diploid wheat Triticum monococcum accession PI 306540 that encodes a typical coiled-coil nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat protein. This gene, designated as Sr22b, is a new allele of Sr22 with a rare insertion of a large (13.8-kb) retrotransposon into its second intron. Biolistic transformation of an ~112-kb circular bacterial artificial chromosome plasmid carrying Sr22b into the susceptible wheat variety Fielder was sufficient to confer resistance to stem rust. In a survey of 168 wheat genotypes, Sr22b was present only in cultivated T. monococcum subsp. monococcum accessions but absent in all tested tetraploid and hexaploid wheat lines. We developed a diagnostic molecular marker for Sr22b and successfully introgressed a T. monococcum chromosome segment containing this gene into hexaploid wheat to accelerate its deployment and pyramiding with other Sr genes in wheat breeding programmes. Sr22b can be a valuable component of gene pyramids or transgenic cassettes combining different resistance genes to control this devastating disease.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of 308-nm excimer laser as monotherapy and combination therapy with topical tacrolimus in the treatment of periocular vitiligo.

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder in which destruction of skin melanocytes. In recent years, 308-nm excimer laser (308-nm EL) and topical tacrolimus have been extensively used to treat vitiligo. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of combined treatment of 308-nm EL and topical tacrolimus for treating periocular vitiligo compared to 308-nm EL monotherapy. This study is a retrospective observational study, involving 58 Chinese patients of periocular vitiligo, divided into two groups: the control group (28 patients) treated with 308-nm EL; and the experimental group (30 patients) treated with 308-nm EL and topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment. Repigmentation was assessed at four grades. In the control group, there were four patients (14%) with poor repigmentation, eleven patients (39%) with moderate repigmentation, ten patients (36%) with good repigmentation, three patients (11%) with excellent repigmentation. In the experimental group, two patients (7%) experienced poor repigmentation, six patients (20%) experienced moderate repigmentation, fifteen patients (50%) experienced good repigmentation, seven patients (23%) experienced excellent repigmentation. The experimental group efficacy rate (good and excellent repigmentation) was 73.3%, higher than 46.4% for the control group (p = 0.037). Our findings suggest that both treatments are safe and the combination of tacrolimus and 308-nm EL is more effective than 308-nm EL alone for periocular vitiligo.

Stripe rust resistance gene Yr34 (synonym Yr48) is located within a distal translocation of Triticum monococcum chromosome 5AmL into common wheat.

Key message The stripe rust resistance gene Yr34 was transferred to polyploid wheat chromosome 5AL from T. monococcum and has been used for over two centuries.Wheat stripe (or yellow) rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is currently among the most damaging fungal diseases of wheat worldwide. In this study, we report that the stripe rust resistance gene Yr34 (synonym Yr48) is located within a distal segment of the cultivated Triticum monococcum subsp. monococcum chromosome 5AmL translocated to chromosome 5AL in polyploid wheat. The diploid wheat species Triticum monococcum (genome AmAm) is closely related to T. urartu (donor of the A genome to polyploid wheat) and has good levels of resistance against the stripe rust pathogen. When present in hexaploid wheat, the T. monococcum Yr34 resistance gene confers a moderate level of resistance against virulent Pst races present in California and the virulent Chinese race CYR34. In a survey of 1,442 common wheat genotypes, we identified 5AmL translocations of fourteen different lengths in 17.5% of the accessions, with higher frequencies in Europe than in other continents. The old European wheat variety "Mediterranean" was identified as a putative source of this translocation, suggesting that Yr34 has been used for over 200 years. Finally, we designed diagnostic CAPS and sequenced-based markers that will be useful to accelerate the deployment of Yr34 in wheat breeding programs to improve resistance to this devastating pathogen.

Identification and characterization of wheat stem rust resistance gene Sr21 effective against the Ug99 race group at high temperature.

Wheat stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), is a devastating foliar disease. The Ug99 race group has combined virulence to most stem rust (Sr) resistance genes deployed in wheat and is a threat to global wheat production. Here we identified a coiled-coil, nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat protein (NLR) completely linked to the Ug99 resistance gene Sr21 from Triticum monococcum. Loss-of-function mutations and transgenic complementation confirmed that this gene is Sr21. Sr21 transcripts were significantly higher at high temperatures, and this was associated with significant upregulation of pathogenesis related (PR) genes and increased levels of resistance at those temperatures. Introgression of Sr21 into hexaploid wheat resulted in lower levels of resistance than in diploid wheat, but transgenic hexaploid wheat lines with high levels of Sr21 expression showed high levels of resistance. Sr21 can be a valuable component of transgenic cassettes or gene pyramids combining multiple resistance genes against Ug99.

Before-after cohort study to assess the efficacy of fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser treatment of pediatric hand scars.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser (AFXL) surgery in patients with pediatric hand scars. This study enrolled hand scar patients who received treatment in our hospital between May 2018 and April 2019. Patients were assigned to undergo AFXL surgery based on their personal intents and condition, whereas the fractional laser was used for stiffness and abnormal texture. Outcomes were as follows: hand function was evaluated using the Michigan hand outcomes questionnaire; scar condition was evaluated using the Vancouver scar scale and UNC4P scar scale. Total 30 pediatric patients (mean age, 11.4 years) were eligible for the study and laser-treated scars were significantly improved in Michigan hand outcomes questionnaire from 52.30 ± 6.14 to 66.91 ± 6.43 (p < 0.001). Provider-rated Vancouver scar scale dropped from 8.80 ± 2.75 to 6.73 ± 2.52 (p < 0.001). Patient-reported UNC4P scar scale declined from7.07 ± 2.02 to 4.73 ± 1.31 (p < 0.001). AFXL surgery can significantly improve hand function and appearance of pediatric hand scars, suggesting its advantages over traditional methods of operative intervention.

Wheat gene Sr60 encodes a protein with two putative kinase domains that confers resistance to stem rust.

Wheat stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici (Pgt), is a devastating fungal disease threatening global wheat production. The present paper reports the identification of stem rust resistance gene Sr60, a race-specific gene from diploid wheat Triticum monococcum L. that encodes a protein with two putative kinase domains. This gene, designated as WHEAT TANDEM KINASE 2 (WTK2), confers intermediate levels of resistance to Pgt. WTK2 was identified by map-based cloning and validated by transformation of a c.10-kb genomic sequence including WTK2 into susceptible common wheat variety Fielder (Triticum aestivum L.). Transformation of Fielder with WTK2 was sufficient to confer Pgt resistance. Sr60 transcripts were transiently upregulated 1 d post-inoculation with Pgt, but not in mock-inoculated plants. The upregulation of Sr60 was associated with stable upregulation of several pathogenesis-related genes. The Sr60-resistant haplotype found in T. monococcum was not found in polyploid wheat, suggesting an opportunity to introduce a novel resistance gene. Sr60 was successfully introgressed into hexaploid wheat, and we developed a diagnostic molecular marker to accelerate its deployment and pyramiding with other resistance genes. The cloned Sr60 also can be a useful component of transgenic cassettes including other resistance genes with complementary resistance profiles.

Identification and characterization of Sr13, a tetraploid wheat gene that confers resistance to the Ug99 stem rust race group.

The Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt) Ug99 race group is virulent to most stem rust resistance genes currently deployed in wheat and poses a threat to global wheat production. The durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) gene Sr13 confers resistance to Ug99 and other virulent races, and is more effective at high temperatures. Using map-based cloning, we delimited a candidate region including two linked genes encoding coiled-coil nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat proteins designated CNL3 and CNL13. Three independent truncation mutations identified in each of these genes demonstrated that only CNL13 was required for Ug99 resistance. Transformation of an 8-kb genomic sequence including CNL13 into the susceptible wheat variety Fielder was sufficient to confer resistance to Ug99, confirming that CNL13 is Sr13CNL13 transcripts were slightly down-regulated 2-6 days after Pgt inoculation and were not affected by temperature. By contrast, six pathogenesis-related (PR) genes were up-regulated at high temperatures only when both Sr13 and Pgt were present, suggesting that they may contribute to the high temperature resistance mechanism. We identified three Sr13-resistant haplotypes, which were present in one-third of cultivated emmer and durum wheats but absent in most tested common wheats (Triticum aestivum). These results suggest that Sr13 can be used to improve Ug99 resistance in a large proportion of modern wheat cultivars. To accelerate its deployment, we developed a diagnostic marker for Sr13 The identification of Sr13 expands the number of Pgt-resistance genes that can be incorporated into multigene transgenic cassettes to control this devastating disease.

Facile construction of a molecularly imprinted polymer-based electrochemical sensor for the detection of milk amyloid A.

A molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor for the detection of serum amyloid A (MAA) in milk was established for early diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows. The electrochemical sensor was initially constructed using a nanocomposite material (reduced graphene oxide/gold nanoparticles, AuNPs@rGO) to modify the working electrode. The template protein, MAA, was then immobilized using pyrrole as the functional monomer to carry out the electropolymerization. Finally, the template protein was removed to form a molecular imprint film with the capability to qualitatively and quantitatively signaling of MAA. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the modification process of the molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors. Under optimized conditions, the sensor shows two well-behaved linear relationships in the MAA concentration range 0.01 to 200 ng/mL. A lower detection limit was estimated to be 5 pg/mL (S/N = 3). Other parameters including the selectivity, reproducibility (RSD 3.2%), and recovery rate (96.1-103%) are all satisfactory. Compared with the traditional methods, detection of MAA to determine the subclinical mastitis of dairy cows can efficiently be diagnosed and hence prevent an outbreak of dairy cow mastitis. The electrochemical sensor can detect MAA more rapidly, sensitively, and inexpensively than the ELISA-based MAA detection. These advantages indicate that the method is promising for early diagnosis of dairy cows.

Mapping and characterization of wheat stem rust resistance genes SrTm5 and Sr60 from Triticum monococcum.

KEY MESSAGE: The new stem rust resistance gene Sr60 was fine-mapped to the distal region of chromosome arm 5AmS, and the TTKSK-effective gene SrTm5 could be a new allele of Sr22. The emergence and spread of new virulent races of the wheat stem rust pathogen (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici; Pgt), including the Ug99 race group, is a serious threat to global wheat production. In this study, we mapped and characterized two stem rust resistance genes from diploid wheat Triticum monococcum accession PI 306540. We mapped SrTm5, a previously postulated gene effective to Ug99, on chromosome arm 7AmL, completely linked to Sr22. SrTm5 displayed a different race specificity compared to Sr22 indicating that they are distinct. Sequencing of the Sr22 homolog in PI 306540 revealed a novel haplotype. Characterization of the segregating populations with Pgt race QFCSC revealed an additional resistance gene on chromosome arm 5AmS that was assigned the official name Sr60. This gene was also effective against races QTHJC and SCCSC but not against TTKSK (a Ug99 group race). Using two large mapping populations (4046 gametes), we mapped Sr60 within a 0.44 cM interval flanked by sequenced-based markers GH724575 and CJ942731. These two markers delimit a 54.6-kb region in Brachypodium distachyon chromosome 4 and a 430-kb region in the Chinese Spring reference genome. Both regions include a leucine-rich repeat protein kinase (LRRK123.1) that represents a potential candidate gene. Three CC-NBS-LRR genes were found in the colinear Brachypodium region but not in the wheat genome. We are currently developing a Bacterial Artificial Chromosome library of PI 306540 to determine which of these candidate genes are present in the T. monococcum genome and to complete the cloning of Sr60.

Correction to: Mapping and characterization of wheat stem rust resistance genes SrTm5 and Sr60 from Triticum monococcum.

In the original publication, the IWGSC assembly is incorrectly referenced.

Fine mapping and characterization of Sr21, a temperature-sensitive diploid wheat resistance gene effective against the Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici Ug99 race group.

KEY MESSAGE: The diploid wheat stem rust resistance gene Sr21 confers temperature-sensitive resistance to isolates of the Ug99 group and maps to the middle of the long arm of chromosome 2A (m). A race of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, the causal pathogen of stem rust of wheat, known as Ug99, and its variants, are virulent to plants carrying stem rust resistance genes currently deployed in most wheat cultivars worldwide. Therefore, identification, mapping and deployment of effective resistance genes are critical to reduce this threat. Resistance gene Sr21 identified in diploid wheat T. monococcum can be effective against races from the Ug99 race group, but both susceptible and partial resistant reactions have been reported in previous studies. To clarify this conflicting information we screened four monogenic lines with Sr21 and four susceptible controls with 16 Pgt isolates including five isolates of the Ug99 race group under three different temperatures and three different photoperiods. We observed that, temperature influences the interaction between monogenic lines with Sr21 and Ug99 race group isolates, and may be one source of previous inconsistencies. This result indicates that, although Sr21 confers partial resistance against Ug99, its effectiveness can be modulated by environmental conditions and should not be deployed alone. Using two large diploid wheat-mapping populations (total 3,788 F2 plants) we mapped Sr21 approximately 50 cM from the centromere on the long arm of chromosome 2A(m) within a 0.20 cM interval flanked by sequence-based markers FD527726 and EX594406. The closely linked markers identified in this study will be useful to reduce the T. monococcum segments introgressed into common wheat, accelerate Sr21 deployment in wheat breeding programs, and facilitate the map-based cloning of this gene.

Mapping of SrTm4, a Recessive Stem Rust Resistance Gene from Diploid Wheat Effective to Ug99.

Race TTKSK (or Ug99) of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, the causal agent of wheat stem rust, is a serious threat to wheat production worldwide. Diploid wheat, Triticum monococcum (genome Am), has been utilized previously for the introgression of stem rust resistance genes Sr21, Sr22, and Sr35. Multipathotype seedling tests of biparental populations demonstrated that T. monococcum accession PI 306540 collected in Romania contains a recessive resistance gene effective to all P. graminis f. sp. tritici races screened, including race TTKSK. We will refer to this gene as SrTm4, which is the fourth stem rust resistance gene characterized from T. monococcum. Using two mapping populations derived from crosses of PI 272557×PI 306540 and G3116×PI 306540, we mapped SrTm4 on chromosome arm 2AmL within a 2.1 cM interval flanked by sequence-tagged markers BQ461276 and DR732348, which corresponds to a 240-kb region in Brachypodium chromosome 5. The eight microsatellite and nine sequence-tagged markers linked to SrTm4 will facilitate the introgression and accelerate the deployment of SrTm4-mediated Ug99 resistance in wheat breeding programs.

Kinase fusion proteins: intracellular R-proteins in plant immunity.

Resistance (R) genes in the Triticeae tribe include not only genes encoding the canonical intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich-repeat proteins (NLRs) but also genes encoding kinase fusion proteins (KFPs). Exploring these unconventional KFPs may expand the scope of effector-triggered immunity (ETI) and will have significant implications for crop improvement.

ANKRD2 expression combined with TNFRSF19 expression for evaluating the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Objective: As an important chemotherapy drug, cisplatin has been widely used in the treatment of many cancers. However, many patients, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients, experience unacceptable outcomes from cisplatin treatment. Thus, we devised a risk model for predicting the sensitivity of OSCC patients to cisplatin treatment, to provide a reference for clinical practice. Methods: CAL-27 and SCC-9 cell lines treated or not with cisplatin and data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were screened for simultaneously and significantly differentially expressed genes. Next, we built a risk model for predicting cisplatin sensitivity in OSCC patients. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), pathological samples and clinical data were used to examine the reliability of the model. Results: ANKRD2 and TNFRSF19 were differentially expressed between the OSCC metastasis cell line HSC-3 treated and not treated with cisplatin, as well as between the OSCC cell line SCC-25 and the cell line SCC25-DDP, which has cisplatin chemoresistance. We found that the expression of ANKRD2 and TNFRSF19 had a significant influence on the prognosis of OSCC patients. The risk model that combined ANKRD2 and TNFRSF19 to predict sensitivity to cisplatin in OSCC patients was confirmed by analysing the pathological samples and follow-up information of clinical patients. Conclusions: The expression of ANKRD2 and TNFRSF19 is associated with cisplatin sensitivity and prognosis in patients with OSCC. The survival outcome of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was found to be significantly worse in those with high expression of ANKRD2 combined with low expression of TNFRSF19. ANKRD2 and TNFRSF19 may be targets for cisplatin sensitivity prediction in OSCC patients. These findings may provide novel strategies for overcoming cisplatin resistance.

AURKB promotes immunogenicity and immune infiltration in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Chromatin regulators (CRs) are capable of causing epigenetic alterations, which are significant features of cancer. However, the function of CRs in controlling Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) is not well understood. This research aims to discover a CRs prognostic signature in ccRCC and to elucidate the roles of CRs-related genes in tumor microenvironment (TME). METHODS: Expression profiles and relevant clinical annotations were retrieved from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and UCSC Xena platform for progression-free survival (PFS) data. The R package "limma" was used to identify differentially expressed CRs. A predictive model based on five CRs was developed using LASSO-Cox analysis. The model's predictive power and applicability were validated using K-M curves, ROC curves, nomograms, comparisons with other models, stratified survival analyses, and validation with the ICGC cohort. GO and GSEA analyses were performed to investigate mechanisms differentiating low and high riskScore groups. Immunogenicity was assessed using Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB), immune cell infiltrations were inferred, and immunotherapy was evaluated using immunophenogram analysis and the expression patterns of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and checkpoint genes. Differentially expressed CRs (DECRs) between low and high riskScore groups were identified using log2|FC|> 1 and FDR < 0.05. AURKB, one of the high-risk DECRs and a component of our prognostic model, was selected for further analysis. RESULTS: We constructed a 5 CRs signature, which demonstrated a strong capacity to predict survival and greater applicability in ccRCC. Elevated immunogenicity and immune infiltration in the high riskScore group were associated with poor prognosis. Immunotherapy was more effective in the high riskScore group, and certain chemotherapy medications, including cisplatin, docetaxel, bleomycin, and axitinib, had lower IC50 values. Our research shows that AURKB is critical for the immunogenicity and immune infiltration of the high riskScore group. CONCLUSION: Our study produced a reliable prognostic prediction model using only 5 CRs. We found that AURKB promotes immunogenicity and immune infiltration. This research provides crucial support for the development of prognostic biomarkers and treatment strategies for ccRCC.

Exploring the Frontier of Wheat Rust Resistance: Latest Approaches, Mechanisms, and Novel Insights.

Wheat rusts, including leaf, stripe, and stem rust, have been a threat to global food security due to their devastating impact on wheat yields. In recent years, significant strides have been made in understanding wheat rusts, focusing on disease spread mechanisms, the discovery of new host resistance genes, and the molecular basis of rust pathogenesis. This review summarizes the latest approaches and studies in wheat rust research that provide a comprehensive understanding of disease mechanisms and new insights into control strategies. Recent advances in genetic resistance using modern genomics techniques, as well as molecular mechanisms of rust pathogenesis and host resistance, are discussed. In addition, innovative management strategies, including the use of fungicides and biological control agents, are reviewed, highlighting their role in combating wheat rust. This review also emphasizes the impact of climate change on rust epidemiology and underscores the importance of developing resistant wheat varieties along with adaptive management practices. Finally, gaps in knowledge are identified and suggestions for future research are made. This review aims to inform researchers, agronomists, and policy makers, and to contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable wheat rust control strategies.