The hysteresis damage of cold exposure on tissue and transcript levels in mice.

OBJECTIVES: Although cold stress-induced damage to the heart and thyroid has been reported, specific organ associations between the heart and thyroid with delayed injury mechanisms have not been investigated. In this study, we determined the damage time and transcript levels of a large number of genes in the heart and thyroid after cold exposure. Meanwhile, we analysed the relationship between heart and thyroid injury in human medical records to determine the association of delayed injury from cold exposure. METHODS: Mice were exposed to cold stress and hysteresis injury. Gene changes at the transcriptional level were detected using high throughput sequencing technology. The most variable genes were verified at the protein level using Western Blotting and medical records were collected and analysed. RESULTS: The damage was the most severe when the animals were allowed to recover to room temperature for 4 h after exposure to cold stress. During this process, STAT1 and ATF3 genes were acutely up-regulated. Analysis of human medical records showed the highest correlation between AST and T4 under cold stress (p = 0.0011). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to cold increases blood level of free thyroid hormone and biomarkers of myocardial injury, as well as related mRNA levels. These changes were more pronounced after return to room temperature.

Comprehensive analysis of the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network involved in spontaneous recovery of an H2O2-induced zebrafish cataract model.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the hub miRNAs and mRNAs contributing to the spontaneous recovery of an H2O2-induced zebrafish cataract model. METHODS: Zebrafishes were divided into three groups, i.e., Group A, which included normal control fish (day 0), and Groups B and C, where fish were injected with 2.5% hydrogen peroxide into the anterior chamber and reared for 14 and 30 days, respectively. Fish eyes were examined by stereomicroscope photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). RNA profiles of fish lenses were detected by RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) were identified among three groups. The DEGs and DEmiRs, which changed in opposite positions between "B vs. A" and "C vs. B" were defined as ODGs (opposite positions changed DEGs) and ODmiRs (opposite positions changed DEmiRs). Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) analysis were carried out by R language. The protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed using STRING. Potential targets of miRNAs were obtained using miRanda. miRNA-mRNA networks were constructed by Cytoscape. RESULTS: The fish lens opacity formed on day 14 and recovered to transparent on day 30 after injection. Compared to group B, 1366 DEGs and 54 DEmiRs were identified in group C. "C vs. B" DEGs were enriched in gene clusters related to development and oxidative phosphorylation. Target genes of DEmiRs were enriched in clusters such as development and cysteine metabolism. Among three groups, 786 ODGs and 27 ODmiRs were identified, and 480 ODGs were predicted as targets of ODmiRs. Target ODGs were enriched in pathways related to methionine metabolism, ubiquitin, sensory system development, and structural constituents of the eye lens. In addition, we established an ODmiRs-ODGs regulation network. CONCLUSION: We identified several hub mRNAs and altered miRNAs in the formation and reversal of zebrafish cataracts. These hub miRNAs/mRNAs could be potential targets for the non-surgical treatment of ARC.

Promising lanthanide-doped double molybdates KYb(MoO4)2 phosphors for highly efficient upconversion luminescence and temperature sensing.

Here we report the highly efficient upconversion luminescence (UCL) and optical temperature sensing based on the novel host of KYb(MoO4)2 doped with trivalent lanthanide (Ln3+) ions at 980 nm excitation. The high Yb3+ concentration and unique ordered layer structure in KYb(MoO4)2 host are beneficial for the enhancement of UCL efficiency by improving the absorption and the negative migration of excitation energy. Ho3+, Er3+, and Tm3+ ions were selected to singly dope the KYb(MoO4)2 host, achieving three primary colors of red, green, blue UCL, respectively. At the optimal doping concentration, the blue upconversion quantum yield (UCQY) of the KYb(MoO4)2: 1.0%Tm3+ phosphor reaches 0.13%, which is rare for the Tm3+-doped oxides. By leveraging the efficient blue light, we achieved high-brightness white UCL by co-doping Ho3+ in KYb(MoO4)2: Tm3+. Furthermore, the temperature sensing performance of the KYb(MoO4)2: Tm3+, Ho3+ phosphors operating within the first biological window (BW-I) was evaluated based on a thermo-responsive fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) of far-red to near-infrared (NIR) emission from completely separated 3F2,3/3H4 → 3H6 transitions of Tm3+. At the excitation of 980 nm, the maximum absolute and relative sensitivities were determined as 0.25 × 10-3 K-1 at 673 K and 2.84% K-1 at 303 K, respectively. These results indicate that the double alkali-rare-earth molybdate KYb(MoO4)2 can be used as a promising host to achieve highly efficient UCL and temperature sensing, suggesting potential applications in the fields of anti-counterfeiting, displays, and non-contact temperature sensors.

Actomyosin-driven motility and coalescence of phase-separated viral inclusion bodies are required for efficient replication of a plant rhabdovirus.

Phase separation has emerged as a fundamental principle for organizing viral and cellular membraneless organelles. Although these subcellular compartments have been recognized for decades, their biogenesis and mechanisms of regulation are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the formation of membraneless inclusion bodies (IBs) induced during the infection of a plant rhabdovirus, tomato yellow mottle-associated virus (TYMaV). We generated recombinant TYMaV encoding a fluorescently labeled IB constituent protein and employed live-cell imaging to characterize the intracellular dynamics and maturation of viral IBs in infected Nicotiana benthamiana cells. We show that TYMaV IBs are phase-separated biomolecular condensates and that viral nucleoprotein and phosphoprotein are minimally required for IB formation in vivo and in vitro. TYMaV IBs move along the microfilaments, likely through the anchoring of viral phosphoprotein to myosin XIs. Furthermore, pharmacological disruption of microfilaments or inhibition of myosin XI functions suppresses IB motility, resulting in arrested IB growth and inefficient virus replication. Our study establishes phase separation as a process driving the formation of liquid viral factories and emphasizes the role of the cytoskeletal system in regulating the dynamics of condensate maturation.

Association of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio with Nutrition in Patients with Various Types of Malignant Tumors: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an index of systemic inflammation. This study is to clarify the role of NLR in body functional status, nutritional risk and nutritional status in the course of tumor. Methods: A multi-center cross-sectional study of patients with various types of malignant tumors was accrued from the whole country. There were 21,457 patients with completed clinical data, biochemical indicators, physical examination, the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) survey. Logistic regression analysis was used to figure out the influencing factors of NLR, and four models were established to evaluate the influence of NLR on body functions, nutritional risks and nutritional status. Results: Male patients, TNM stage IV, total bilirubin, hypertension and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAHD) were independent predictors of NLR >2.5. BMI, digestive systemic tumors and triglyceride negatively affect NLR in multivariable logistic regression. NLR was an independent predictor of Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), fat store deficit in all degrees, moderate and severe muscle deficit, mild fluid retention and PG-SGA grade. Conclusion: Male patients and those with hypertension and CAHD are prone to systemic inflammation. Systemic inflammation significantly degrades body function status and nutritional status, increases nutritional risk and influences fat and muscle metabolism in patients with malignant tumor. Improving the intervenable indicators such as elevating albumin and pre-albumin, decreasing total bilirubin and enhancing nutrition support are imperative. Obesity and triglyceride behave like anti-systemic inflammation, which is misleading due to reverse causation in the course of malignancy.

Immunotherapy for HER-2 positive breast cancer.

Immunotherapy is a developing treatment for advanced breast cancer. Immunotherapy has clinical significance for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancers and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive (HER2+) breast cancers. As a proved effective passive immunotherapy, clinical application of the monoclonal antibodies trastuzumab, pertuzumab and T-DM1 (ado-trastuzumab emtansine) has significantly improved the survival of patients with HER2+ breast cancers. Immune checkpoint inhibitors that block programmed death receptor-1 and its ligand (PD-1/PD-L1) have also shown benefits for breast cancer in various clinical trials. Adoptive T-cell immunotherapies and tumor vaccines are emerging as novel approaches to treating breast cancer, but require further study. This article reviews recent advances in immunotherapy for HER2+ breast cancers.

Ubiquitination of Ku70 by Parkin promotes apoptosis of lens epithelial cells.

Oxidative damage-triggered apoptosis in lens epithelial cells is considered as a main risk factor in the pathogenesis of age-related cataracts. Ku70 is a key factor in the DNA repair process of double-strand breaks. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of Ku70 and its related E3 ubiquitin ligase in lens epithelial cell apoptosis. The levels of Ku70 in the anterior lens capsules of human cataracts and Emory mice were lower compared to controls. H2 O2 treatment resulted in decreased expression of Ku70 through accelerating Ku70 ubiquitination. Parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, could interact with Ku70 and promote the ubiquitination and degradation of this protein. In addition, ubiquitinated Ku70 was regulated by ubiquitin-proteasome, autophagy-lysosome and mitophagy pathways. Ectopic expression of Ku70 protected SRA01/04 cells from H2 O2 -induced apoptosis, whereas silencing Ku70 exhibited the opposite trend. Co-transfected with Parkin non-ubiquitinatable Ku70 mutant could maintain its anti-apoptosis ability, whereas wild-type Ku70 failed. Moreover, Ku70 might facilitate mitochondrial fusion by increasing the expression of Mitofusin 1/2. The present study revealed that Parkin-mediated Ku70 ubiquitination facilitated H2 O2 -induced lens epithelial cell apoptosis through alleviating mitochondrial fusion, which could provide potential targets for age-related cataract treatment.

Age-related cataract: GSTP1 ubiquitination and degradation by Parkin inhibits its anti-apoptosis in lens epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: Oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of lens epithelial cells (LECs) contributes to the pathogenesis of age-related cataract (ARC). The purpose of this research is to underlie the potential mechanism of E3 ligase Parkin and its oxidative stress-associated substrate in cataractogenesis. METHODS: The central anterior capsules were obtained from patients with ARC, Emory mice, and corresponding controls. SRA01/04 cells were exposed to H2O2 combined with cycloheximide (a translational inhibitor), MG-132 (a proteasome inhibitor), chloroquine (an autophagy inhibitor), Mdivi-1 (a mitochondrial division inhibitor), respectively. Co-immunoprecipitation was employed to detect protein-protein interactions and ubiquitin-tagged protein products. Levels of proteins and mRNA were evaluated by western blotting and quantitative RT-PCR assays. RESULTS: Glutathione-S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) was identified as a novel Parkin substrate. Compared with corresponding controls, GSTP1 was significantly decreased in the anterior lens capsules obtained from human cataracts and Emory mice. Similarly, GSTP1 was declined in H2O2-stimulated SRA01/04 cells. Ectopic expression of GSTP1 mitigated H2O2-induced apoptosis, whereas silencing GSTP1 aggregated apoptosis. In addition, H2O2 stimulation and Parkin overexpression could promote the degradation of GSTP1 through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy-lysosome pathway, and mitophagy. After co-transfection with Parkin, the non-ubiquitinatable GSTP1 mutant maintained its anti-apoptotic function, while wildtype GSTP1 failed. Mechanistically, GSTP1 might promote mitochondrial fusion through upregulating Mitofusins 1/2 (MFN1/2). CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress induces LECs apoptosis via Parkin-regulated degradation of GSTP1, which may provide potential targets for ARC therapy.

CHARACTERIZATION OF MACULAR NEOVASCULARIZATION IN BIETTI CRYSTALLINE DYSTROPHY USING MULTIMODAL IMAGING MODALITIES.

PURPOSE: To characterize the clinical features of macular neovascularization (MNV) secondary to Bietti crystalline dystrophy. METHODS: The imaging data of 157 eyes in 79 patients with Bietti crystalline dystrophy were retrospectively reviewed. 12 individuals (19 eyes) were found to have MNVs. Multimodal retinal imaging was used to evaluate the features of MNVs and the primary chorioretinopathy. RESULTS: The MNV lesions were shown as typical type 2 MNVs with subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM), and usually detected along the borders of the retinal pigment epithelium/choriocapillaris dropout. The active MNVs were noted in earlier stages of Bietti crystalline dystrophy, while the activity was observed to be reduced in advanced cases. On spectral domain optical coherence tomography, the outer retinal structures were demonstrated to be partially preserved above the SHRMs compared with the extensive atrophy contiguously. Fibrotic scaring of the MNVs was commonly observed and arteriolarization was usually shown within the scars. CONCLUSION: MNV was demonstrated to be a common complication secondary to Bietti crystalline dystrophy. The lesions were typical type 2 MNV of varied activities possibly associated with the degrees of the primary degeneration. Choriocapillaris hypoperfusion may participate in MNV development.

COF-based artificial probiotic for modulation of gut microbiota and immune microenvironment in inflammatory bowel disease.

Conventional strategies for treating inflammatory bowel disease merely relieve inflammation and excessive immune response, but fail to solve the underlying causes of IBD, such as disrupted gut microbiota and intestinal barrier. Recently, natural probiotics have shown tremendous potential for the treatment of IBD. However, probiotics are not recommended for IBD patients, as they may cause bacteremia or sepsis. Herein, for the first time, we constructed artificial probiotics (Aprobiotics) based on artificial enzyme-dispersed covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as the "organelle" and a yeast shell as the membrane of the Aprobiotics to manage IBD. The COF-based artificial probiotics, with the function of natural probiotics, could markedly relieve IBD by modulating the gut microbiota, suppressing intestinal inflammation, protecting the intestinal epithelial cells, and regulating immunity. This nature-inspired approach may aid in the design of more artificial systems for the treatment of various incurable diseases, such as multidrug-resistant bacterial infection, cancer, and others.

Role of SUMOylation of STAT1 in tubular epithelial­mesenchymal transition induced by high glucose.

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) is an important pathological change that occurs during the development of diabetic kidney disease. The epithelial­mesenchymal transition (EMT) of renal tubular epithelial cells is a manifestation of TIF. STAT1, a member of the STAT family of transcription factors, can be modified by the small ubiquitin­related modifier (SUMO), thus affecting the activity of STAT1. The present study investigated the role of STAT1 SUMOylation in high glucose­induced tubular EMT by western blotting, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, co­immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase reporter analysis. The results indicated that in the process of high glucose­induced EMT, STAT1 activation protected the cells from EMT. However, high glucose also increased the SUMOylation of STAT1, which prevented STAT1 from exerting an effective protective role by inhibiting its activity.

miR-125a-3p regulates apoptosis by suppressing TMBIM4 in lens epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: To explore the regulatory effect of miR-125a-3p on lens epithelial cells (LECs) under ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) irradiation. METHODS: The expression of miR-125a-3p in age-related cataract (ARC) specimens and cell models was detected by qRT-PCR. UVB was utilized to establish DNA damage model of LECs. Cell count kit-8 was applied in detecting cell viability. Cell apoptosis ratio was analyzed by flow cytometry. Dual luciferase reports were applied to analyze the mechanism between miRNA and target genes. Nanoparticle tracking analysis, and Western blot were used to identify whether the exosomes were typical exosomes. RESULTS: miR-125a-3p was upregulated in ARC tissues and LECs treated with UVB. Knockdown of miR-125a-3p in LECs significantly decreased apoptosis and increased viability of UVB-irradiated LECs. We predicted that miR-125a-3p could regulate transmembrane Bax inhibitor motif containing 4 (TMBIM4) by the bioinformatics databases TargetScan, miRBase, and miRWalk. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that miR-125a-3p may suppress TMBIM4 protein translation by binding to 3'UTR of TMBIM4 mRNA. Overexpression of miR-125a-3p decreased TMBIM4, which suggested that miR-125a-3p could inhibit TMBIM4. Moreover, knockdown of TMBIM4 decreased cell viability and enhanced cell apoptosis during UVB irradiation. In addition, the exosome secretion of LECs irradiated by UVB was enhanced, and the expression of miR-125a-3p was high. Cell viability was significantly decreased, and cell apoptosis was increased during UVB-exos treatment. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that miR-125a-3p regulated apoptosis by suppressing TMBIM4 in LECs under oxidative damage, providing a new idea for clinical therapeutic target of cataract.

Exosomal microRNA-222-3p increases UVB sensitivity of lens epithelium cells by suppressing MGMT.

BACKGROUND: Age-related cataract (ARC) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide with multiple pathogenic factors. Oxidative damage of lens epithelium cells (LECs) is one of the well-accepted pathogenesis of ARC which can be regulated by DNA repair genes (DRGs). The present research aimed to clarify the regulatory mechanism of exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) on DRGs in LECs. METHODS: The LECs oxidative damage model was established by UVB-irradiation on SRA01/04 (human lens epithelium cell line). Exosomes from UVB-irradiated cells (UVB-exo) and exosomes from normal control cells (NC-exo) were collected from the culture medium. To explore the functions of LECs exosomes, SRA01/04 were incubated with UVB-exo/NC-exo. Then, we detected SRA01/04 proliferation, viability and apoptosis respectively using 5'-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay. Next, the miRNA expression profiles of UVB-exo and NC-exo were identified by miRNA microarrays. RNA expression in exosomes, cells, and clinical samples was verified by qRT-PCR. The location and expression of MGMT and CD63 proteins were detected by immunofluorescence and western blot. The 3'UTR regulation of miR-222-3p to MGMT was verified by luciferase analyses. RESULTS: MGMT down-regulated while miR-222-3p up-regulated in LECs sub-central anterior capsule from ARC lenses. MGMT and miR-222-3p expressions in central and peripheral LECs from anterior lens capsules were differential. UVB-exo can transport the up-regulated miR-222-3p from oxidative-damaged LECs to normal LECs, which could suppress MGMT expression and increase UVB sensitivity of LECs. CONCLUSIONS: Findings on exosomal miRNA functions provided novel insights into pathogenesis of ARC. Exosomal miR-222-3p can be a potential target for prevention and cure of ARC.

Identification and expression pattern analysis of the OsSnRK2 gene family in rice.

Sucrose non-fermenting-1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) is a class of plant-specific serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) protein kinase that plays an important role in rice stress tolerance, growth and development. However, systematic bioinformatics and expression pattern analysis have not been reported. In the current study, ten OsSnRK2 genes were identified in the rice genome and located on 7 chromosomes, which can be classified into three subfamilies (I, II, and III). Many cis-regulatory elements were identified in the promoter region of OsSnRK2 genes, including hormone response elements, defense and stress responsive elements, indicating that the OsSnRK2 family may play a crucial role in response to hormonal and abiotic stress. Quantitative tissue analysis showed that OsSnRK2 genes expressed in all tissues of rice, but the expression abundance varied from different tissues and showed varietal variability. In addition, expression pattern of OsSnRK2 were analyzed under abiotic stress (salt, drought, salt and drought) and showed obvious difference in diverse abiotic stress. In general, these results provide useful information for understanding the OsSnRK2 gene family and analyzing its functions in rice in response to ABA, salt and drought stress, especially salt-drought combined stress.

Density Functional Theory Study on NiNx (x = 1, 2, 3, 4) Catalytic Hydrogenation of Acetylene.

In this study, using the application of density functional theory, the mechanism of graphene-NiNx (x = 1, 2, 3, 4) series non-noble metal catalysts in acetylene hydrogenation was examined under the B3LYP/6-31G** approach. With the DFT-D3 density functional dispersion correction, the effective core pseudopotential basis set of LANL2DZ was applied to metallic Ni atoms. The reaction energy barriers of NiNx catalysts are different from the co-adsorption structure during the catalytic hydrogenation of graphene-NiNx (x = 1, 2, 3, 4). The calculated results showed that the energy barrier and selectivity of graphene-NiN4 for ethylene production were 25.24 kcal/mol and 26.35 kcal/mol, respectively. The low energy barrier and high activity characteristics showed excellent catalytic performance of the catalyst. Therefore, graphene-NiN4 provides an idea for the direction of catalytic hydrogenation.

Density Functional Theory Study of Low-Dimensional (2D, 1D, 0D) Boron Nitride Nanomaterials Catalyzing Acetylene Acetate Reaction.

In this paper, density functional theory (DFT) was used to study the possibility of low-dimensional (2D, 1D, 0D) boron nitride nanomaterials to catalyze acetylene acetate reaction, and further explore the possible source of this catalytic activity. It is found that the catalytic activity of boron nitride nanomaterials for acetylene acetate reaction will change with the change of the geometric structure (dimension) and reaction site of the catalyst. From the geometric structure, the reaction components and the zero-dimensional BN catalyst can form chemical bonds and form complexes, while only physical adsorption occurs on the surface of the one-dimensional and two-dimensional BN catalysts. From the reaction site, the properties of different C sites on the B12N12NC-C2H2 complexes are different. Namely, a C atom connected with a B atom is more likely to have an electrophilic reaction with H+, and a C atom connected with an N atom is more likely to have a nucleophilic reaction with CH3COO-. Through the study of three kinds of BN nanomaterials with low dimensions, we found that the zero-dimensional B12N12 nanocage broke the inherent reaction inertia of BN materials and showed good catalytic activity in an acetylene acetate reaction, which is very likely to be a non-metallic catalyst for the acetylene gas-phase preparation of vinyl acetate.

The Effect of sp2 Content in Carbon on Its Catalytic Activity for Acetylene Hydrochlorination.

We report the influence of sp2 content in carbon catalyst on the catalytic activity for acetylene hydrochlorination. Nanodiamonds (NDs) were used as the precursor and calcinated under different temperatures. The resulting ND500, ND700, ND900, and ND1100 catalysts were characterized, and the sp2 content increased with increasing calcination temperature. The specific activities of the catalysts first increased and then decreased with increasing sp2 content. The highest catalytic activity could be obtained in the ND-900 catalyst with a sp2 value of 43.9%. The density functional theory results showed that the adsorption sites for acetylene and hydrogen chloride were located at the interface between sp2 and sp3 configuration.

Genome-Wide Repertoire of Transfer RNA-Derived Fragments in a Mouse Model of Age-Related Cataract.

PURPOSE: To investigate the roles of tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) containing transfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) and tRNA halves in age-related cataracts (ARCs). METHODS: Lens capsule tissue from Emory mice at 3 months and 8 months of age were dissected for integrated tsRNA and gene transcriptome sequencing. A quantitative real-time PCR assay (qRT-PCR) was performed for validating sequencing results. Bioinformatics analysis was constructed to reveal the roles of tsRNAs. RESULTS: A total of 422 differential expression (DE) tsRNAs were changed, in which 156 were elevated while 266 were declined in 8-month-old mice. Subsequently, the gene sequencing data exhibited 375 upregulated and 456 downregulated DE genes. Validation by qRT-PCR in 5 selected upregulated tRFs was consistent with tsRNAs sequencing results. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis identified 25 downregulated target genes of the 5 validated tRFs. Furthermore, GO analysis revealed that these target genes were mainly enriched in camera-type eye development, sensory organ development, and so on. CONCLUSION: Our study provides a novel perspective on the role of tsRNAs in the pathogenesis of ARC, and thus therapeutic potential targets for ARC.

Genome-Wide Identification of R2R3-MYB Transcription Factor and Expression Analysis under Abiotic Stress in Rice.

The myeloblastosis (MYB) family comprises a large group of transcription factors (TFs) that has a variety of functions. Among them, the R2R3-MYB type of proteins are the largest group in plants, which are involved in controlling various biological processes such as plant growth and development, physiological metabolism, defense, and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this study, bioinformatics was adopted to conduct genome-wide identification of the R2R3-MYB TFs in rice. We identified 190 MYB TFs (99 R2R3-MYBs), which are unevenly distributed on the 12 chromosomes of rice. Based on the phylogenetic clustering and protein sequence characteristics, OsMYBs were classified into five subgroups, and 59.6% of the Os2R_MYB genes contained two introns. Analysis of cis-acting elements in the 2000 bp upstream region of Os2R_MYB genes showed that all Os2R_MYB genes contained plant hormones-related or stress-responsive elements since 91.9%, 79.8%, 79.8%, and 58.6% of Os2R_MYB genes contain ABRE, TGACG, CGTCA, and MBS motifs, respectively. Protein-protein network analysis showed that the Os2R_MYBs were involved in metabolic process, biosynthetic process, and tissue development. In addition, some genes showed a tissue-specific or developmental-stage-specific expression pattern. Moreover, the transcription levels of 20 Os2R_MYB genes under polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cadmium chloride (CdCl2) stress inducers were dissected by qRT-PCR. The results indicated genes with an altered expression upon PEG or CdCl2 stress induction. These results potentially supply a basis for further research on the role that Os2R_MYB genes play in plant development and stress responses.

Establishment of pregnant-specific intervals for hemoglobin (Hb) A2, HbF and cut-off points for HbA2 for thalassemia in Chongqing, China.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze pregnant-specific intervals for hemoglobin A2 (HbA2), hemoglobin fetal (HbF), and cut-off points of HbA2 for thalassemia in Chongqing, China. METHODS: Between September 2015 and April 2019, the study recruited 10039 individuals of reproductive age. Of which, 4399 healthy normal individuals were selected to determine reference values for HbA2 and HbF. The remaining 5640 individuals suspected of thalassemia were included to explore the cut-off points of HbA2 for thalassemia. RESULTS: The reference values of HbA2 in males was 2.3-3.2%, in females was 2.1-3.1%, and in pregnant women was 1.9-3.1%. While the reference values of HbF in males was 0.0-0.0%, in females was 0.0-0.9%, and in pregnant women was 0.0-4.3%. Approximately 2.3% cut-off points for pregnant women was determined to be optimal for α-thalassemia screening. In the entire group, 2.5% was best for all α-thalassemia screenings. The cut-off for ß-thalassemia screening using HbA2 was 3.2% for the entire group. CONCLUSION: The reference interval of HbA2 for pregnant females group was significantly lower than other groups. Therefore, we recommend cut-off points of HbA2 for α-thalassemia at 2.3% for pregnant women. While partitioning was not needed due to gender. Gender and pregnancy had little effect on the cut-off points of HbA2 for ß-thalassemia carrier.