RNA-sequencing transcriptome analysis of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. leaf epidermis defines tissue-specific transcriptional response to salinity treatment.

Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. is a typical mangrove plant. Its epidermis contains salt glands, which can secrete excess salts onto the leaf surfaces, improving the salt tolerance of the plants. However, knowledge on the epidermis-specific transcriptional responses of A. marina to salinity treatment is lacking. Thus, physiological and transcriptomic techniques were applied to unravel the salt tolerance mechanism of A. marina. Our results showed that 400 mM NaCl significantly reduced the plant height, leaf area, leaf biomass and photosynthesis of A. marina. In addition, 1565 differentially expressed genes were identified, of which 634 and 931 were up- and down-regulated. Based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes metabolic pathway enrichment analysis, we demonstrated that decreased gene expression, especially that of OEE1, PQL2, FDX3, ATPC, GAPDH, PRK, FBP and RPE, could explain the inhibited photosynthesis caused by salt treatment. Furthermore, the ability of A. marina to cope with 400 mM NaCl treatment was dependent on appropriate hormone signalling and potential sulfur-containing metabolites, such as hydrogen sulfide and cysteine biosynthesis. Overall, the present study provides a theoretical basis for the adaption of A. marina to saline habitats and a reference for studying the salt tolerance mechanism of other mangrove plants.

Bidirectional motivated bimodal isothermal strand displacement amplifier with a table tennis-like movement for the ultrasensitive fluorescent and colorimetric detection of depression-related microRNA.

An increasing number of studies have highlighted the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as physiological indicators of major depressive disorder (MDD). Herein, we developed a bidirectional-motivated bimodal isothermal strand displacement amplifier (BB-ISDA) for the ultrasensitive fluorescent and colorimetric detection of MDD-related miRNA-132. In the BB-ISDA system, a pair of functionalized hairpin probes (HP1 and HP2) with nicking recognition sites are designed to recognize target miRNA. The recognition of target miRNA by HP1 (or HP2) generates copious numbers of nicked triggers by HP1 (or HP2)-based ISDA to recognize HP2 (or HP1) by autonomous strand polymerization, cleavage, and displacement, which in turn induces the subsequent generation of copious numbers of nicked G-quadruplex triggers by HP2 (or HP1)-based ISDA to recognize HP1 (or HP2) along a same line. After many cycles, this bidirectional motivated table-tennis-like movement amplifies the fluorescent signal from HP1 and the colorimetric signal from HP2, simultaneously. The dual-signal output pattern was cross-validated for sensing miRNA-132. Each of the detection modal shows the capability for qualitative and quantitative detection of miRNA-132 with high sensitivity and specificity. The adaptability of the bimodal mechanism was verified via the detection of target miRNA-132 from clinical human blood samples. We envision that this BB-ISDA with dual-signal output for accurate and reliable analysis of miRNA is promising for the molecular diagnosis of human mental diseases.

Physiological and transcriptomic analysis dissects the molecular mechanism governing meat quality during postmortem aging in Hu sheep (Ovis aries).

Introduction: Hu sheep, known for its high quality and productivity, lack fundamental scientific research in China. Methods: This study focused on the effects of 24 h postmortem aging on the meat physiological and transcriptomic alteration in Hu sheep. Results: The results showed that the 24 h aging process exerts a substantial influence on the mutton color, texture, and water content as compared to untreated group. Transcriptomic analysis identified 1,668 differentially expressed genes. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted the importance of glycolysis metabolism, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, and the FcγR-mediated phagocytosis pathway in mediating meat quality modification following postmortem aging. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction analysis uncovered complex regulatory networks involving glycolysis, the MAPK signaling pathway, protein metabolism, and the immune response. Discussion: Collectively, these findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying meat quality changes during postmortem aging in Hu sheep, emphasizing the potential for improving quality control strategies in mutton production.

Perceived stress and depression amongst older stroke patients: Sense of coherence as a mediator?

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the relationship between perceived stress, sense of coherence, and depression among older stroke patients. METHODS: A demographic questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were distributed to 3000 older stroke patients from Neurology wards in six large general hospitals, and 2907 individuals completed the survey. Data analysis consisted of correlation, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling. RESULTS: The total score of the SOC and perceived stress showed a negative correlation (r = -0.80, P ＜ 0.01), the total SOC of coherence and depression also resulted in a negative correlation (r = -0.77, P ＜ 0.01), and the total score of the perceived stress and depression resulted in a positive correlation (r = 0.82, P ＜ 0.01). The results of multiple regression analyses indicated that SOC mediated the association between perceived stress and depression, and the influence of perceived stress on depression was decreased by 16.0%with in the sense of being out of control dimension and was decreased by 12.3% within the feeling of tension dimension when sense of coherence was added to the model. The structural equation model confirmed that the sense of coherence had a partial mediation effect between perceived stress and depression. CONCLUSION: SOC is the mediating variable between perceived stress and depression, and can reduce the influence of perceived stress on depression.