Meta-analysis revisiting the influence of UGT1A1*28 and UGT1A1*6 on irinotecan safety in colorectal cancer patients.

Aim: To evaluate the association between irinotecan safety and the UGT1A1 gene polymorphism in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.Materials & methods: The studies were systematically searched and identified from three databases (PubMed, Embase and The Cochrane Library) until 28 February 2023. The relationships were evaluated using pooled odds ratio (OR).Results: A total of 30 studies out of 600 were included, comprising 4471 patients. UGT1A1*28 was associated with a statistically significant increase in the OR for diarrhea (OR: 1.59, 95% CI = 1.24-2.06 in the additive model; OR = 3.24, 95% CI = 2.01-5.21 in the recessive model; and OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.42-2.69 in the dominant model) and neutropenia (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.40-2.06 in the additive model; OR = 4.10, 95%CI = 2.69-6.23 in the recessive model; and OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.61-2.31 in the dominant model). Subgroup analysis indicated consistent associations in both Asian and non-Asian populations. UGT1A1*6 was associated with a statistically significant elevation in the OR for diarrhea (only in the recessive model, OR = 2.42; 95% CI = 1.14-5.11) and neutropenia (across all genetic models).Conclusion: The UGT1A1*28 and UGT1A1*6 alleles might be a crucial indicator for predicting irinotecan safety in CRC.

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NaGdF4:Dy3+ nanocrystals: new insights into optical properties and energy transfer processes.

NaGdF4:Dy3+ nanocrystals (NCs) have been synthesized using a precipitation technique. The structural characteristics and morphology of the materials were analyzed using X-ray diffraction patterns and scanning electron microscopy images, respectively. The photoluminescence excitation spectra, emission spectra and decay curves of all samples were recorded at room temperature. The color feature of Dy3+ luminescence was estimated using CIE chromaticity coordinates and the correlated color temperature. The radiative properties of the Dy3+:4F9/2 level in the material were analyzed within the framework of JO theory. In NaGdF4:Dy3+ NCs, the energy transfer from Gd3+ to Dy3+ causes an enhancement in the luminescence of the Dy3+ ions. The rate of the processes taking part in the depopulation of Gd3+ ions was estimated. The energy transfer between Dy3+ ions leads to the luminescence quenching of NaGdF4:Dy3+. In this process, the dipole-dipole interaction, which is found by using the Inokuti-Hirayama model, is the dominant mechanism. The characteristic parameters of the energy transfer processes between Dy3+ ions have also been calculated in detail.

Genome-wide identification and expression analyses of nitrate transporter family genes in wild soybean (Glycine soja).

Nitrate transporters (NRTs) are important channel proteins facilitating cross-membrane movement of small molecules like NO3- which is a critical nutrient for all life. However, the classification and evolution of nitrate transporters in the legume plants are still elusive. In this study, we surveyed the wild soybean (G. soja) genomic databases and identified 120 GsNRT1 and 5 GsNRT2 encoding genes. Phylogenetic analyses show that GsNRT1 subfamily is consisted of eight clades (NPF1 to NPF8), while GsNRT2 subfamily has only one clade. Gene chromosomal location and evolutionary historic analyses indicate that GsNRT genes are unevenly distributed on 19 out of 20 G. soja chromosomes and segmental duplications may take a major part in the expansion of GsNRT family. Investigations of gene structure and protein motif compositions suggest that GsNRT family members are highly conserved in structures of both gene and protein levels. In addition, we analyzed the spatial expression patterns of representative GsNRT genes and their responses to exogenous nitrogen and carbon supplies and different abiotic stresses. The qRT-PCR data indicated that 16 selected GsNRT genes showed various expression levels in the roots, stems, leaves, and pods of young G. soja plants, and these genes were regulated by not only nitrogen and carbohydrate nutrients but also NaCl, NaHCO3, abscisic acid (ABA), and salicylic acid (SA). These results suggest that GsNRT genes may be involved in the regulation of plant growth, development, and adaptation to environmental stresses, and the study will shed light on functional dissection of plant nitrate transporter proteins in the future.

GsSnRK1 interplays with transcription factor GsERF7 from wild soybean to regulate soybean stress resistance.

Although the function and regulation of SnRK1 have been studied in various plants, its molecular mechanisms in response to abiotic stresses are still elusive. In this work, we identified an AP2/ERF domain-containing protein (designated GsERF7) interacting with GsSnRK1 from a wild soybean cDNA library. GsERF7 gene expressed dominantly in wild soybean roots and was responsive to ethylene, salt, and alkaline. GsERF7 bound GCC cis-acting element and could be phosphorylated on S36 by GsSnRK1. GsERF7 phosphorylation facilitated its translocation from cytoplasm to nucleus and enhanced its transactivation activity. When coexpressed in the hairy roots of soybean seedlings, GsSnRK1(wt) and GsERF7(wt) promoted plants to generate higher tolerance to salt and alkaline stresses than their mutated species, suggesting that GsSnRK1 may function as a biochemical and genetic upstream kinase of GsERF7 to regulate plant adaptation to environmental stresses. Furthermore, the altered expression patterns of representative abiotic stress-responsive and hormone-synthetic genes were determined in transgenic soybean hairy roots after stress treatments. These results will aid our understanding of molecular mechanism of how SnRK1 kinase plays a cardinal role in regulating plant stress resistances through activating the biological functions of downstream factors.