Exploring the plasmodesmata callose-binding protein gene family in upland cotton: unraveling insights for enhancing fiber length.

Plasmodesmata are transmembrane channels embedded within the cell wall that can facilitate the intercellular communication in plants. Plasmodesmata callose-binding (PDCB) protein that associates with the plasmodesmata contributes to cell wall extension. Given that the elongation of cotton fiber cells correlates with the dynamics of the cell wall, this protein can be related to the cotton fiber elongation. This study sought to identify PDCB family members within the Gossypium. hirsutum genome and to elucidate their expression profiles. A total of 45 distinct family members were observed through the identification and screening processes. The analysis of their physicochemical properties revealed the similarity in the amino acid composition and molecular weight across most members. The phylogenetic analysis facilitated the construction of an evolutionary tree, categorizing these members into five groups mainly distributed on 20 chromosomes. The fine mapping results facilitated a tissue-specific examination of group V, revealing that the expression level of GhPDCB9 peaked five days after flowering. The VIGS experiments resulted in a marked decrease in the gene expression level and a significant reduction in the mature fiber length, averaging a shortening of 1.43-4.77 mm. The results indicated that GhPDCB9 played a pivotal role in the cotton fiber development and served as a candidate for enhancing cotton yield.

Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping for Plant Height and Branch Number in CCRI70 Recombinant Inbred Line Population of Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).

Upland cotton accounts for a high percentage (95%) of the world's cotton production. Plant height (PH) and branch number (BN) are two important agronomic traits that have an impact on improving the level of cotton mechanical harvesting and cotton yield. In this research, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population with 250 lines developed from the variety CCRI70 was used for constructing a high-density genetic map and identification of quantitative trait locus (QTL). The results showed that the map harbored 8298 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, spanning a total distance of 4876.70 centimorgans (cMs). A total of 69 QTLs for PH (9 stable) and 63 for BN (11 stable) were identified and only one for PH was reported in previous studies. The QTLs for PH and BN harbored 495 and 446 genes, respectively. Combining the annotation information, expression patterns and previous studies of these genes, six genes could be considered as potential candidate genes for PH and BN. The results could be helpful for cotton researchers to better understand the genetic mechanism of PH and BN development, as well as provide valuable genetic resources for cotton breeders to manipulate cotton plant architecture to meet future demands.

Genome-wide analyses of member identification, expression pattern, and protein-protein interaction of EPF/EPFL gene family in Gossypium.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal patterning factor / -like (EPF/EPFL) gene family encodes a class of cysteine-rich secretory peptides, which are widelyfound in terrestrial plants.Multiple studies has indicated that EPF/EPFLs might play significant roles in coordinating plant development and growth, especially as the morphogenesis processes of stoma, awn, stamen, and fruit skin. However, few research on EPF/EPFL gene family was reported in Gossypium. RESULTS: We separately identified 20 G. raimondii, 24 G. arboreum, 44 G. hirsutum, and 44 G. barbadense EPF/EPFL genes in the 4 representative cotton species, which were divided into four clades together with 11 Arabidopsis thaliana, 13 Oryza sativa, and 17 Selaginella moellendorffii ones based on their evolutionary relationships. The similar gene structure and common motifs indicated the high conservation among the EPF/EPFL members, while the uneven distribution in chromosomes implied the variability during the long-term evolutionary process. Hundreds of collinearity relationships were identified from the pairwise comparisons of intraspecifc and interspecific genomes, which illustrated gene duplication might contribute to the expansion of cotton EPF/EPFL gene family. A total of 15 kinds of cis-regulatory elements were predicted in the promoter regions, and divided into three major categories relevant to the biological processes of development and growth, plant hormone response, and abiotic stress response. Having performing the expression pattern analyses with the basic of the published RNA-seq data, we found most of GhEPF/EPFL and GbEPF/EPFL genes presented the relatively low expression levels among the 9 tissues or organs, while showed more dramatically different responses to high/low temperature and salt or drought stresses. Combined with transcriptome data of developing ovules and fibers and quantitative Real-time PCR results (qRT-PCR) of 15 highly expressed GhEPF/EPFL genes, it could be deduced that the cotton EPF/EPFL genes were closely related with fiber development. Additionally, the networks of protein-protein interacting among EPF/EPFLs concentrated on the cores of GhEPF1 and GhEPF7, and thosefunctional enrichment analyses indicated that most of EPF/EPFLs participate in the GO (Gene Ontology) terms of stomatal development and plant epidermis development, and the KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways of DNA or base excision repair. CONCLUSION: Totally, 132 EPF/EPFL genes were identified for the first time in cotton, whose bioinformatic analyses of cis-regulatory elements and expression patterns combined with qRT-PCR experiments to prove the potential functions in the biological processes of plant growth and responding to abiotic stresses, specifically in the fiber development. These results not only provide comprehensive and valuable information for cotton EPF/EPFL gene family, but also lay solid foundation for screening candidate EPF/EPFL genes in further cotton breeding.

Genome-wide identification and expression-pattern analysis of sulfate transporter (SULTR) gene family in cotton under multiple abiotic stresses and fiber development.

Sulfate transporter (SULTR) proteins are in charge of the transport and absorption on sulfate substances, and have been reported to play vital roles in the biological processes of plant growth and stress response. However, there were few reports of genome-wide identification and expression-pattern analysis of SULTRs in Hibiscus mutabilis. Gossypium genus is a ideal model for studying the allopolyploidy, therefore two diploid species (G. raimondii and G. arboreum) and two tetraploid species (G. hirsutum and G. barbadense) were chosen in this study to perform bioinformatic analyses, identifying 18, 18, 35, and 35 SULTR members, respectively. All the 106 cotton SULTR genes were utilized to construct the phylogenetic tree together with 11 Arabidopsis thaliana, 13 Oryza sativa, and 8 Zea mays ones, which was divided into Group1-Group4. The clustering analyses of gene structures and 10 conserved motifs among the cotton SULTR genes showed the consistent evolutionary relationship with the phylogenetic tree, and the results of gene-duplication identification among the four representative Gossypium species indicated that genome-wide or segment duplication might make main contributions to the expansion of SULTR gene family in cotton. Having conducted the cis-regulatory element analysis in promoter region, we noticed that the existing salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and abscisic acid (ABA) elements could have influences with expression levels of cotton SULTR genes. The expression patterns of GhSULTR genes were also investigated on the 7 different tissues or organs and the developing ovules and fibers, most of which were highly expressed in root, stem, sepal, receptacel, ovule at 10 DPA, and fiber at 20 and 25 DPA. In addition, more active regulatory were observed in GhSULTR genes responding to multiple abiotic stresses, and 12 highly expressed genes showed the similar expression patterns in the quantitative Real-time PCR experiments under cold, heat, salt, and drought treatments. These findings broaden our insight into the evolutionary relationships and expression patterns of the SULTR gene family in cotton, and provide the valuable information for further screening the vital candidate genes on trait improvement.

Genome-wide identification and functional analysis of the SiCIN gene family in foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.).

Cell wall invertase (CIN) is a vital member of plant invertase (INV) and plays a key role in the breakdown of sucrose. This enzyme facilitates the hydrolysis of sucrose into glucose and fructose, which is crucial for various aspects of plant growth and development. However, the function of CIN genes in foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is less studied. In this research, we used the blast-p of NCBI and TBtools for bidirectional comparison, and a total of 13 CIN genes (named SiCINs) were identified from foxtail millet by using Arabidopsis and rice CIN sequences as reference sequences. The phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the CIN genes can be categorized into three subfamilies: group 1, group 2, and group 3. Furthermore, upon conducting chromosomal localization analysis, it was observed that the 13 SiCINs were distributed unevenly across five chromosomes. Cis-acting elements of SiCIN genes can be classified into three categories: plant growth and development, stress response, and hormone response. The largest number of cis-acting elements were those related to light response (G-box) and the cis-acting elements related to seed-specific regulation (RY-element). qRT-PCR analysis further confirmed that the expression of SiCIN7 and SiCIN8 in the grain was higher than that in any other tissues. The overexpression of SiCIN7 in Arabidopsis improved the grain size and thousand-grain weight, suggesting that SiCIN7 could positively regulate grain development. Our findings will help to further understand the grain-filling mechanism of SiCIN and elucidate the biological mechanism underlying the grain development of SiCIN.

TGF-ß1/SMAD3-driven GLI2 isoform expression contributes to aggressive phenotypes of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hedgehog signaling is activated in response to liver injury, and modulates organogenesis. However, the role of non-canonical hedgehog activation via TGF-ß1/SMAD3 in hepatic carcinogenesis is poorly understood. TGF-ß1/SMAD3-mediated non-canonical activation was found in approximately half of GLI2-positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and two new GLI2 isoforms with transactivating activity were identified. Phospho-SMAD3 interacted with active GLI2 isoforms to transactivate downstream genes in modulation of stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, chemo-resistance and metastasis in poorly-differentiated hepatoma cells. Non-canonical activation of hedgehog signaling was confirmed in a transgenic HBV-associated HCC mouse model. Inhibition of TGF-ß/SMAD3 signaling reduced lung metastasis in a mouse in situ hepatic xenograft model. In another cohort of 55 HCC patients, subjects with high GLI2 expression had a shorter disease-free survival than those with low expression. Moreover, co-positivity of GLI2 with SMAD3 was observed in 87.5% of relapsed HCC patients with high GLI2 expression, indicating an increased risk of post-resection recurrence of HCC. The findings underscore that suppressing the non-canonical hedgehog signaling pathway may confer a potential strategy in the treatment of HCC.

Identification of TMZ resistance-associated histone post-translational modifications in glioblastoma using multi-omics data.

BACKGROUD: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is among the most aggressive cancers, with current treatments limited in efficacy. A significant hurdle in the treatment of GBM is the resistance to the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide (TMZ). The methylation status of the MGMT promoter has been implicated as a critical biomarker of response to TMZ. METHODS: To explore the mechanisms underlying resistance, we developed two TMZ-resistant GBM cell lines through a gradual increase in TMZ exposure. Transcriptome sequencing of TMZ-resistant cell lines revealed that alterations in histone post-translational modifications might be instrumental in conferring TMZ resistance. Subsequently, multi-omics analysis suggests a strong association between histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) levels and TMZ resistance. RESULTS: We observed a significant correlation between the expression of H3K9ac and MGMT, particularly in the unmethylated MGMT promoter samples. More importantly, our findings suggest that H3K9ac may enhance MGMT transcription by facilitating the recruitment of the SP1 transcription factor to the MGMT transcription factor binding site. Additionally, by analyzing single-cell transcriptomics data from matched primary and recurrent GBM tumors treated with TMZ, we modeled the molecular shifts occurring upon tumor recurrence. We also noted a reduction in tumor stem cell characteristics, accompanied by an increase in H3K9ac, SP1, and MGMT levels, underscoring the potential role of H3K9ac in tumor relapse following TMZ therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in H3K9ac appears to enhance the recruitment of the transcription factor SP1 to its binding sites within the MGMT locus, consequently upregulating MGMT expression and driving TMZ resistance in GBM.

Microstructure evolution and the deformation mechanism in nanocrystalline superior-deformed tantalum.

The temperature-controlled relationship between the mechanical properties and deformation mechanism of tantalum (Ta) enables the extension of its application potential in various areas of life, including energy and electronics industries. In this work, the microstructure and deformation behavior of nanocrystalline superior-deformed Ta have been investigated in a wide temperature range. The structural analysis revealed that the high-performance Ta consists of several different substructures, with an average size of about 20 nm. The tensile behavior of nanocrystalline Ta (NC-Ta) was analysed and simulated at various temperatures from 100 K to 1500 K by the molecular dynamics (MD) method. It is shown that with increasing average grain size, the elastic modulus of NC-Ta linearly increases, and the impact factor reaches a value close to 1.8. The critical grain size, as obtained from the Hall-Petch relationship, was found to be about 8.2 nm. For larger grains, the flow stress follows the Hall-Petch relationship, and the thermal behavior of twin bands determines the deformation process. On the other hand, when grains are smaller than the critical size, the relationship between the flow stress and structure transforms into the inverse Hall-Petch relationship, and the deformation mechanism is controlled by grain rotation, boundary sliding or atomic migration. The results of numerical simulations revealed that temperature significantly affects the critical grain size for the plastic deformation of NC-Ta. In addition, it is demonstrated that both the elastic modulus and dislocation density decrease with increasing temperature. These findings provide guidance for the design of polycrystalline tantalum materials with tailored mechanical properties for specific industrial applications such as heat exchangers and condensers in aerospace, bone substitutes in biomedicine, and surface acoustic wave filters or capacitors in electronics.

Evaluation of carcass traits, meat quality and the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in different slaughter ages and muscles of Taihang black goats.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of slaughter age on carcass traits, meat quality, and the relative mRNA levels of lipid metabolism-related genes in different muscles of Taihang black goats. METHODS: In this study, the triceps brachii (TB), longissimus dorsi (LD) and gluteus (GL) muscles of 15 grazing Taihang black goats slaughtered at the age of 2, 3, and 4 (designated as 2-year-old, 3-year-old, and 4-year-old, respectively) were collected. The differences in carcass shape, meat quality, amino acid composition and lipid metabolism gene expression among Taihang black goats of different ages and from different plant parts were compared. RESULTS: Compared with goats at other ages, goats slaughtered at the age of 4 had greater live and carcass weights, meat weights, bone weights and skin areas (p<0.05). LD in the 4-years-old had the lowest cooking loss and moisture content. The crude protein content in the LD of 2-year-old was significantly greater than that in the other age group, and at the age of 2, the LD had the highest crude protein content than TB and GL. The highest fat content was in LD, followed by TB, for goats slaughtered at the age of 4. Eight out of 9 essential amino acids had higher content in the TB compared with other muscles, regardless of age. The total essential amino acid content was highest in the 4-year-old and lowest in the GL muscle at the age of 3. The sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) genes were significantly more abundant in the TB muscle than in the other muscles for goats slaughtered at the age of 2. At the age of 4, the ATGL and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) genes were significantly more abundant in the GL than in the LD, while the fatty acid synthase (FAS) genes were significantly less abundant in the GL than in the other muscles. Similarly, compared with those in goats of other ages, the relative mRNA expression levels of the FAS and heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) genes in goats slaughtered at the age of 4 were the highest, and the relative mRNA expression of the PPARγ gene was the lowest (p<0.05). The relative mRNA expression of the H-FABP and FAS genes was positively correlated with the intramuscular fat (IMF) content, while the relative mRNA expression levels of the PPARγ and ATGL genes was negatively correlated with the IMF content. CONCLUSION: Overall, a better nutritional value was obtained for TB from 4-year-old goats, in which the total essential amino acid and fat contents were greater than those of other muscles. The comprehensive action of lipid metabolism genes was consistent with that of the IMF content, among which the FAS, H-FABP, PPARγ, and ATGL genes had positive and negative effects on the process of IMF deposition in Taihang black goats.

Tumor suppressor CLCA1 inhibits angiogenesis via TGFB1/SMAD/VEGF cascade and sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to Sorafenib.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly vascularized tumor with a poor prognosis. Novel vascular-related therapeutic targets and prognostic markers remain urgently needed. AIMS: To investigate the role and mechanism of CLCA1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Immunofluorescence, Co-immunoprecipitation and rescue experiment were used to determine the specific mechanisms of CLCA1. Chemosensitivity assay was used to measure the impact of CLCA1 on Sorafenib. RESULTS: CLCA1 was dramatically downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and tissues. Ectopic expression of CLCA1 induced cell apoptosis and G0/G1 phase arrest while suppressed cell growth, inhibited migration and invasion, reversal of epithelial mesenchymal transition in vitro and reduced xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, CLCA1 could co-localize and interact with TGFB1, thereby suppressing HCC angiogenesis through the TGFB1/SMAD/VEGF signaling cascade in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, CLCA1 also enhanced the sensitivity of HCC cells to the first-line targeted therapy, Sorafenib. CONCLUSION: CLCA1 sensitizes HCC cells to Sorafenib and suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma angiogenesis through downregulating TGFB1 signaling cascade. This newly identified CLCA1 signaling pathway may help guide the anti-angiogenesis therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma. We also support the possibility of CLCA1 being a prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Design of a dual Ir-Eu tag for fluorescent visualization and ICP-MS quantification of SIRPα and its host cells.

With the expansion of ICP-MS application into the field of bioanalysis, there is an urgent need for novel element tags today. Here, we report the design of a dual-element Ir-Eu tag, opening the door to simultaneous fluorescent imaging and ICP-MS quantification. The ratio of 153Eu/193Ir may serve as a precision control of the labeling process, allowing internal validation of the quantitative results obtained. As for SIRPα and its host cell analysis exemplified here, the Ir-Eu tag demonstrated superior figures of ICP-MS quantification with the LOD (3σ) down to 0.5 (153Eu) and 1.1 (193Ir) pM SIRPα and 220 (153Eu) and 830 (193Ir) RAW264.7 cells more than 130 times more sensitive compared with the LOD (3σ) of 65.2 pM SIRPα at 612 nm using fluorometry. Not limited to these demonstrations, we believe that the design ideas of the dual Ir-Eu tags should be applicable to various cases of bioanalysis when dual optical profiling and ICP-MS quantification are indispensable.

Biotechnology and Solutions: Insect-Pest-Resistance Management for Improvement and Development of Bt Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

Cotton (Gossypium spp. L.) is a major origin of natural fiber, and is projected at 117 million bales worldwide for 2021/22. A variety of biotic and abiotic stresses have considerable negative impacts on cotton. The significantly decreased applications of chemical insecticidal sprays in the agro-ecosystem have greatly affected the biodiversity and dynamics of primary and secondary insects. Various control measures were taken around the globe to increase production costs. Temperature, drought, and salinity, and biotic stresses such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes, insects, and mites cause substantial losses to cotton crops. Here, we summarize a number of biotic and abiotic stresses upsetting Bt cotton crop with present and future biotechnology solution strategies that include a refuge strategy, multi-gene pyramiding, the release of sterile insects, seed mixing, RNAi, CRISPR/Cas9, biotic signaling, and the use of bioagents. Surveillance of insect resistance, monitoring of grower compliance, and implementation of remedial actions can lead to the sustainable use of cotton across the globe.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt for tuberculous meningitis-associated hydrocephalus: long-term outcomes and complications.

BACKGROUND: Hydrocephalus is a frequent complication of tuberculous meningitis (TBM), and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) has been shown to improve short-term prognosis for patients with TBM-associated hydrocephalus. However, questions remain about long-term prognosis and shunt-related complications. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of both long-term prognosis and shunt-related complications in patients with TBM-induced hydrocephalus who have undergone VPS treatment. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of TBM patients with hydrocephalus treated with VPS at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between December 1999 and February 2023. Both short-term outcomes at discharge and long-term outcomes during follow-up were examined. Prognosis and shunt-related complications were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and the Activity of Daily Living (ADL) score to evaluate neurological function and autonomic living ability, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients with TBM-associated hydrocephalus were included in this study. Of these, 92.9% (13/14) exhibited favorable short-term outcomes, while 57.1% (8/14) showed positive long-term outcomes. Initial results indicated 6 complete recoveries (CR), 7 partial recoveries (PR), and 1 treatment failure. No catheter-related complications were observed initially. Long-term results included 4 CRs, 4 PRs, and 6 treatment failures. A variety of shunt surgery-related complications were noted, including three instances of catheter obstruction, one of incision infection, one of catheter-related infection, one of acute cerebral infarction, and one of transient peritoneal irritation accompanied by diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: VPS appears to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for TBM-associated hydrocephalus, efficiently alleviating acute intracranial hypertension. Nonetheless, continuous long-term monitoring and proactive management are essential to mitigate the risk of catheter-related complications.

Engineered extracellular vesicles for ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of engineered extracellular vesicles (EEVs) in the treatment of ischemic stroke (IS) in preclinical studies and to compare them with natural extracellular vesicles (EVs). The systematic review provides an up-to-date overview of the current state of the literature on the use of EEVs for IS and informs future research in this area. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases for peer-reviewed preclinical studies on the therapeutic effect of EEVs on IS.Databases ranged from the inception to August 1, 2023. The outcome measures included infarct volumes, neurological scores, behavioral scores, apoptosis rates, numbers of neurons, and levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α. The CAMARADES checklist was used to assess the quality and bias risks of the studies. All statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: A total of 28 studies involving 1760 animals met the inclusion criteria. The results of the meta-analysis showed that compared to natural EVs, EEVs reduced infarct volume (percentage: SMD = -2.33, 95% CI: -2.92, -1.73; size: SMD = -2.36, 95% CI: -4.09, -0.63), improved neurological scores (mNSS: SMD = -1.78, 95% CI: -2.39, -1.17; Zea Longa: SMD = -2.75, 95% CI: -3.79, -1.71), promoted behavioral recovery (rotarod test: SMD = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.81, 3.18; grid-walking test: SMD = -3.45, 95% CI: -5.15, -1.75; adhesive removal test: SMD = -2.60, 95% CI: -4.27, -0.93; morris water maze test: SMD = -3.91, 95% CI: -7.03, -0.79), and reduced the release of proinflammatory factors (IL-1ß: SMD = -2.02, 95% CI: -2.77, -1.27; IL-6: SMD = -3.01, 95% CI: -4.47, -1.55; TNF-α: SMD = -2.72, 95% CI: -4.30, -1.13), increasing the number of neurons (apoptosis rate: SMD = -2.24, 95% CI: -3.32, -1.16; the number of neurons: SMD = 3.70, 95% CI: 2.44, 4.96). The funnel plots for the two main outcome measures were asymmetric, indicating publication bias. The median score on the CAMARADES checklist was 7 points (IQR: 6-9). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis shows that EEVs are superior to natural EVs for the treatment of IS. However, research in this field is still at an early stage, and more research is needed to fully understand the potential therapeutic mechanism of EEVs and their potential use in the treatment of IS. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022368744.

Comparative transcriptional and co-expression network analysis of two upland cotton accessions with extreme phenotypic differences reveals molecular mechanisms of fiber development.

Introduction: Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is the main source of natural fiber in the global textile industry, and thus its fiber quality and yield are important parameters. In this study, comparative transcriptomics was used to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) due to its ability to effectively screen candidate genes during the developmental stages of cotton fiber. However, research using this method is limited, particularly on fiber development. The aim of this study was to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the whole period of fiber development and the differences in transcriptional levels. Methods: Comparative transcriptomes are used to analyze transcriptome data and to screen for differentially expressed genes. STEM and WGCNA were used to screen for key genes involved in fiber development. qRT-PCR was performed to verify gene expression of selected DEGs and hub genes. Results: Two accessions of upland cotton with extreme phenotypic differences, namely EZ60 and ZR014121, were used to carry out RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on fiber samples from different fiber development stages. The results identified 704, 376, 141, 269, 761, and 586 genes that were upregulated, and 1,052, 476, 355, 259, 702, and 847 genes that were downregulated at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days post anthesis, respectively. Similar expression patterns of DEGs were monitored using short time-series expression miner (STEM) analysis, and associated pathways of DEGs within profiles were investigated. In addition, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified five key modules in fiber development and screened 20 hub genes involved in the development of fibers. Discussion: Through the annotation of the genes, it was found that the excessive expression of resistance-related genes in the early fiber development stages affects the fiber yield, whereas the sustained expression of cell elongation-related genes is critical for long fibers. This study provides new information that can be used to improve fibers in newly developed upland cotton genotypes.

Genome-Wide Identification and Functional Analysis of RF2 Gene Family and the Critical Role of GhRF2-32 in Response to Drought Stress in Cotton.

Cotton is an important natural fiber crop. The RF2 gene family is a member of the bZIP transcription factor superfamily, which plays an important role in plant resistance to environmental stresses. In this paper, the RF2 gene family of four cotton species was analyzed genome-wide, and the key gene RF2-32 was cloned for functional verification. A total of 113 RF2 genes were identified in the four cotton species, and the RF2 family was relatively conserved during the evolution of cotton. Chromosome mapping and collinear analysis indicated that fragment replication was the main expansion mode of RF2 gene family during evolution. Cis-element analysis showed that there were many elements related to light response, hormone response and abiotic stress response in the promoters of RF2 genes. The transcriptome and qRT-PCR analysis of RF2 family genes in upland cotton showed that RF2 family genes responded to salt stress and drought stress. GhRF2-32 protein was localized in the cell nucleus. Silencing the GhRF2-32 gene showed less leaf wilting and increased total antioxidant capacity under drought and salt stress, decreased malondialdehyde content and increased drought and salt tolerance. This study revealed the evolutionary and functional diversity of the RF2 gene family, which laid a foundation for the further study of stress-resistant genes in cotton.

Genome-wide chromatin accessibility landscape and dynamics of transcription factor networks during ovule and fiber development in cotton.

BACKGROUND: The development of cotton fiber is regulated by the orchestrated binding of regulatory proteins to cis-regulatory elements associated with developmental genes. The cis-trans regulatory dynamics occurred throughout the course of cotton fiber development are elusive. Here we generated genome-wide high-resolution DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHSs) maps to understand the regulatory mechanisms of cotton ovule and fiber development. RESULTS: We generated DNase I hypersensitive site (DHS) profiles from cotton ovules at 0 and 3 days post anthesis (DPA) and fibers at 8, 12, 15, and 18 DPA. We obtained a total of 1185 million reads and identified a total of 199,351 DHSs through ~ 30% unique mapping reads. It should be noted that more than half of DNase-seq reads mapped multiple genome locations and were not analyzed in order to achieve a high specificity of peak profile and to avoid bias from repetitive genomic regions. Distinct chromatin accessibilities were observed in the ovules (0 and 3 DPA) compared to the fiber elongation stages (8, 12, 15, and 18 DPA). Besides, the chromatin accessibility during ovules was particularly elevated in genomic regions enriched with transposable elements (TEs) and genes in TE-enriched regions were involved in ovule cell division. We analyzed cis-regulatory modules and revealed the influence of hormones on fiber development from the regulatory divergence of transcription factor (TF) motifs. Finally, we constructed a reliable regulatory network of TFs related to ovule and fiber development based on chromatin accessibility and gene co-expression network. From this network, we discovered a novel TF, WRKY46, which may shape fiber development by regulating the lignin content. CONCLUSIONS: Our results not only reveal the contribution of TEs in fiber development, but also predict and validate the TFs related to fiber development, which will benefit the research of cotton fiber molecular breeding.

Application of 3D Transparent Facemasks in Long-Term Outpatient Rehabilitation of Facial Scars After Burns: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Improved Appearance of Target Scars With Different Healing Time.

Severe facial burns may cause scarring problems and affect living quality of patients. With the advent of 3D facemasks, it is being used to treat facial scars; however, its efficacy must be confirmed by adequate studies. A retrospective analysis of 26 patients who visited rehabilitation outpatient clinic from 2017 to 2022. Patients were separated into two groups based on the time to healing (TTH) following burn injury: early healing group (TTH ≤ 21 days) and late healing group (TTH > 21 days). To compare treatment outcomes and differences between the two groups, 3D facemask application was assessed using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), patient satisfaction, and complications. In both groups, there were significant improvements in the total VSS scores (P < .01) and each VSS subscore (P < .01). These scar characteristics improved over time as the treatment progressed. Compared with the late healing group, the early healing group had more obvious effects on improving scar pigmentation (P < .05) and vascularity (P < .05) at similar assessment time points after burns. At the last assessment, there was a significant difference in total VSS scores between groups (P = .009). For the early and late healing groups, respectively, the mean gradient value (SE) of the total VSS scores was 1.550 (0.373) and 1.283 (0.224) over the course of the treatment periods. 3D facemasks are effective in the rehabilitation of facial scars caused by burns, which should be used for prevention and treatment in the initial stages of scar development.

Could an amorphous binder Co phase improve the mechanical properties of WC-Co? A study of molecular dynamics simulation.

The trade-off effect between strength and fracture toughness typically observed in composites is challenging for the design and development of novel materials. An amorphous state can impede the trade-off effect of strength and fracture toughness, improving the mechanical properties of composites. Choosing the typical tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) cemented carbides as examples, where the amorphous binder phase was found, the impact of binder phase Co on the mechanical properties was further investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The mechanical behavior and microstructure evolution of the WC-Co composite in the uniaxial compression and tensile processes were studied at different temperatures. The results showed that Young's modulus and ultimate compressive/tensile strengths were higher in WC-Co with amorphous Co, and the ultimate compressive/tensile strengths increased by about 11-27% compared to the samples with crystalline Co. Amorphous Co not only restricts the propagation of voids and cracks but also delays fractures. The relationship between temperatures and deformation mechanisms was also investigated, in which the tendency of strength to decrease with increasing temperature was clarified.

Genome-Wide Analysis and Functional Characterization of LACS Gene Family Associated with Lipid Synthesis in Cotton (Gossypium spp.).

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is the fifth largest oil crop in the world, and cottonseed provides abundant vegetable oil resources and industrial bioenergy fuels for people; therefore, it is of practical significance to increase the oil content of cotton seeds for improving the oil yield and economic benefits of planting cotton. Long-chain acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase (LACS) capable of catalyzing the formation of acyl-CoAs from free fatty acids has been proven to significantly participate in lipid metabolism, of which whole-genome identification and functional characterization of the gene family have not yet been comprehensively analyzed in cotton. In this study, a total of sixty-five LACS genes were confirmed in two diploid and two tetraploid Gossypium species, which were divided into six subgroups based on phylogenetic relationships with twenty-one other plants. An analysis of protein motif and genomic organizations displayed structural and functional conservation within the same group but diverged among the different group. Gene duplication relationship analysis illustrates the LACS gene family in large scale expansion through WGDs/segmental duplications. The overall Ka/Ks ratio indicated the intense purifying selection of LACS genes in four cotton species during evolution. The LACS genes promoter elements contain numerous light response cis-elements associated with fatty acids synthesis and catabolism. In addition, the expression of almost all GhLACS genes in high seed oil were higher compared to those in low seed oil. We proposed LACS gene models and shed light on their functional roles in lipid metabolism, demonstrating their engineering potential for modulating TAG synthesis in cotton, and the genetic engineering of cottonseed oil provides a theoretical basis.