Comparative analysis of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) gene family between Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum spontaneum.

BACKGROUND: Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) genes play vital roles in sucrose production across various plant species. Modern sugarcane cultivar is derived from the hybridization between the high sugar content species Saccharum officinarum and the high stress tolerance species Saccharum spontaneum, generating one of the most complex genomes among all crops. The genomics of sugarcane SPS remains under-studied despite its profound impact on sugar yield. RESULTS: In the present study, 8 and 6 gene sequences for SPS were identified from the BAC libraries of S. officinarum and S. spontaneum, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SPSD was newly evolved in the lineage of Poaceae species with recently duplicated genes emerging from the SPSA clade. Molecular evolution analysis based on Ka/Ks ratios suggested that polyploidy reduced the selection pressure of SPS genes in Saccharum species. To explore the potential gene functions, the SPS expression patterns were analyzed based on RNA-seq and proteome dataset, and the sugar content was detected using metabolomics analysis. All the SPS members presented the trend of increasing expression in the sink-source transition along the developmental gradient of leaves, suggesting that the SPSs are involved in the photosynthesis in both Saccharum species as their function in dicots. Moreover, SPSs showed the higher expression in S. spontaneum and presented expressional preference between stem (SPSA) and leaf (SPSB) tissue, speculating they might be involved in the differentia of carbohydrate metabolism in these two Saccharum species, which required further verification from experiments. CONCLUSIONS: SPSA and SPSB genes presented relatively high expression and differential expression patterns between the two Saccharum species, indicating these two SPSs are important in the formation of regulatory networks and sucrose traits in the two Saccharum species. SPSB was suggested to be a major contributor to the sugar accumulation because it presented the highest expressional level and its expression positively correlated with sugar content. The recently duplicated SPSD2 presented divergent expression levels between the two Saccharum species and the relative protein content levels were highest in stem, supporting the neofunctionalization of the SPSD subfamily in Saccharum.

[Complication analysis of endorectal pull-through radical operation for Hirschsprung disease].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the complications after endorectal pull-through radical operation, Soave procedure, for Hirschsprung disease. METHODS: Clinical data of 286 cases with Hirschsprung disease who received Soave procedure and were proved by postoperative pathology in our hospital from February 2003 to February 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were diagnosed with barium enema and anorectal manometry. Among them, 233 cases(81.5%) were identified during neonatal period. All the patients underwent cleansing enema and anus dilation immediately after definite diagnosis. Radical operation with Soave endorectal pull-through procedure, including simple transanal endorectal pull-through in 251 cases(87.8%), transabdominal approach in 17 cases (5.9%), laparoscopy-assisted endorectal pull-through in 18 cases (6.3%). The operations were performed in 54 cases (18.9%) within 3 months of age, in 183 cases (64.1%) between 3 and 6 months, in 38 cases(13.3%) between 6 months and one year, in 10 cases (3.5%) older than 1 year. The rectosigmoid was resected in 259 cases. Subtotal colectomy was performed in 25 cases, and total colectomy in 2 cases. Postoperative regular anal dilation lasted for 6 months. A total of 286 cases (male:250, female:36) were followed up for 2 to 5 years. RESULTS: There was wound infection in 1 case, ileus in 1 cases, anastomotic stricture in 1 case, which was cured by continuous anal dilation. Two cases had constipation and received re-operation because of refractory to conservative therapy for 6 months. Perianal erosion was found in 63 cases(22.0%) and was healed within 3 months, except 2 children undergoing total colectomy. During follow-up, enterocolitis occurred in 11 cases(3.8%), including healing in 8 cases with conservative therapy, death in 1 case, and recurrent attacks in 2 cases. Soiling occurred in 45 cases(15.7%), among them, 5 cases presented in kindergarten and primary school. Morbidities of perianal erosion, enterocolitis and soiling were higher in infants undergoing operation within 3 months as compared to those more than 3 months [90.7%(49/63) vs. 6.0%(14/63), P=0.000; 9.3%(5/54) vs. 2.6%(6/232), P=0.022; 25.9%(14/54) vs. 13.4%(31/232), P=0.022]. Morbidity of perianal erosion enterocolitis was higher in infants undergoing subtotal or total colectomy as compared to those partial colon resection[51.9%(14/27) vs. 18.9%(49/259), P=0.000; 18.5%(5/27) vs. 2.3%(6/259), P=0.000]. CONCLUSIONS: Primary transanal endorental pull-through procedure can be performed in most children with Hirschsprung disease. Postoperative short-term complications are mainly perianal erosion and long-term ones are enterocolitis and soiling. Early diagnosis, colon irrigation, avoiding premature operation and anal dilation can decrease the morbidities of enterocolitis and soiling.

Astragalus polysaccharide improves cardiac function in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy through ROS-p38 signaling.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used as an antitumor agent, but it is significantly challenged by clinical workers due to the severe and acute cardiotoxitity. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is characterized by an anti-inflammation and anti-oxidant features. In the current study, we explored the effects and specific mechanisms of APS on DOX-induced-cardiomyopathy in mouse primary myocardial cells. To explore the effect of DOX on ROS production, DHE staining and flow cytometry analysis were used in primary cardiomyocytes treated with 1 µM DOX for 24 h. MTT assay was applied to determine the effect of DOX on cell viability. The effects of DOX on rat cardiomyocytes apoptosis by Hoechst staining and annexin V-PI staining, while caspase3 activity was determined using an assay kit. Two-dimensional echocardiography of rats was performed to determine left ventricular fraction and relative wall thickness. Activation of p38 and Akt was analyzed using western blot. ROS production was significantly enhanced by DOX stimulation in primary cardiomyocytes. DOX reduced rat cardiomyocytes viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. DOX induced apoptosis in rat cardiomyocytes via activation of caspase-3. Cardiac function was significantly impaired by enhanced p38 activation. APS treatment reduced DOX-induced rat cardiomyocytes apoptosis by decreasing ROS production. To conclude, APS reduced DOX-induced cell apoptosis and ROS production by reduced activation of p38 signaling pathway.

[The effect of positive pressure ventilation combined with diaphragm pacing on respiratory mechanics in patients with respiratory failure].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of combining positive pressure ventilation with diaphragm pacing on respiratory mechanics in patients with respiratory failure. METHODS: Twenty patients with central respiratory failure were studied with cohorts. The effects on respiratory mechanics were respectively observed in patients in control group, in whom ventilation by positive pressure only, and patients in experimental group in whom ventilation was instituted by combining positive pressure ventilation with diaphragm pacing. RESULTS: Compared with control group, mean airway pressure (Paw, cm H(2)O, 1 cm H(2)O= 0.098 kPa) and plateau pressure (Pplat, cm H(2)O) were significantly decreased in experimental group (Paw: 6.1±1.3 vs. 7.3±1.8; Pplat: 10.4±2.5 vs. 12.1±2.6, both P<0.05), while the negative value of peak esophageal pressure (P(PEAK ES) , cm H(2)O), the negative value of the difference between peak and basic esophageal pressure (dP(ES), cm H(2)O), transpulmonary pressure at end of inspiration hold (Ptp plat, cm H(2)O ), static compliance (Cst, ml/cm H(2)O) were significantly increased in experimental group (P(PEAK ES): -8.3± 1.9 vs. -3.2±1.4; dP(ES) : -11.2±2.6 vs. -8.2±2.2; Ptp plat: 23.6±3.8 vs. 15.6±3.1; Cst: 52.7±8.2 vs. 48.3±7.2, all P<0.05). No differences were found in airway resistance (Raw, cm H(2)O×L(-1) ×s(-1) ) and lung resistance (R(L), cm H(2)O×L(-1) ×s(-1) ) between experimental group and control group (Raw: 2.1±0.5 vs. 2.3±0.4; R(L): 2.9±0.6 vs. 3.1±0.5, both P>0.05). Work of breath by patient (WOBp, J/L) was significantly increased and work of breath by ventilator (WOBv, J/L) was significantly decreased in experimental group compared with control group (WOBp: 0.18±0.03 vs. 0; WOBv: 0.31±0.07 vs. 0.53±0.11, both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with positive pressure ventilation , positive pressure ventilation combined with diaphragm pacing can decrease the Paw, increase intrathoracic negative pressure, transpulmonary pressure, and Cst, and decrease WOBv, while there is no effect on Raw and R(L).