Molecular characterization and expression pattern analysis of a novel stress-responsive gene ‘BeSNAC1’ in Bambusa emeiensis

NAC transcription factors (TFs) are master regulators of environmental stresses exerting a crucial role in plant growth and development. However, the studies on NAC TFs from Bambusa emeiensis are scarce. In this investigation, a novel gene from B. emeiensis encoding NAC protein was cloned and characterized. The gene was isolated based on the amino acid sequence data of stress-responsive SNAC1 of rice, named ‘BeSNAC1 (accession no. MG763922)’. The full-length sequence of 1681 bp was found to contain an open-reading frame of 912 bp that encode a protein of 303 amino-acid residues. The multiple protein sequence alignments unveiled that BeSNAC1 contains a typical NAC domain. Additionally, the phylogenetic analysis showed that the corresponding protein belonged to the SNAC group, as it cladded with SNAC1, HvSNAC1, TaNAC2, SbSNAC1 and ZmSNAC1 proteins. Transactivation and subcellular localization assay disclosed that BeSNAC1 is a transcriptional activator localized in the cell nucleus.Moreover, the time-dependent expression pattern of BeSNAC1 was profiled under abscisic acid (ABA), polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000), NaCl, H2O2 and Na2SO4 treatments via a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that the expression of BeSNAC1 was significantly upregulated in all treatments, a significant difference was observed under H2O2, NaCland ABA (P 0.001) and PEG and Na2SO4 (P < 0.01) treatments, respectively. Conclusively, our findings provide evidence that ‘BeSNAC1’ is a nuclear protein that might act as part of the transcription regulation complex and is involved in the ABA signalling pathway and abiotic stress tolerance mechanisms in B. emeiensis.

New Mini Dental Implant Attachments versus O-ring Attachment after Cyclic Aging: Analysis of Retention Strength and Gap Space / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Overdenture as a treatment modality for both partially and fully edentulous patients is costeffective and less expensive.The purpose of the present study was to examine the newly fabricated attachments by comparing them with conventional O-ring attachment in vitro in terms of retention force and cyclic aging resistance.A total of 150 samples were prepared and divided into five groups according to the materials used (O-ring attachment,Deflex M10 XR,Deflex Classic SR,Deflex Acrilato FD,and flexible acrylic resin).The retention force of different attachments was measured by a mini dental implant after three subsequent aging (0,63,and 126) cycles in the circumstances similar to the oral environment.The gap space between the head of the implant and the inner surface of the attachments was detected.Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis with multiple comparisons test was applied for statistical analysis.The results showed that Deflex M10 XR had the highest retention force and the lowest gap space after cyclic aging;in addition,by comparing the relative force reduction,the lowest values were obtained in the O-ring attachment and the highest values in the flexible acrylic resin attachment.The retention force measured after cyclic aging for the Deflex M10 XR attachment was greatly improved when compared with the O-ring attachment and other types of attachment materials;in addition,the Deflex M10 XR attachment exhibited the minimum gap space between the inner surface and the mini dental implant head.In conclusion,Deflex M10 XR has the ability to withstand weathering conditions and retains its durable and retentive properties after aging when compared with other attachments.

Tumor volume of resectable gastric adenocarcinoma on multidetector computed tomography: association with N categories

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the gross tumor volume of resectable gastric adenocarcinoma on multidetector computed tomography could predict the presence of regional lymph node metastasis and could determine N categories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 202 consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who had undergone gastrectomy 1 week after contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography were retrospectively identified. The gross tumor volume was evaluated on multidetector computed tomography images. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether the gross tumor volume could predict regional lymph node metastasis, and the Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare the gross tumor volume among N categories. Additionally, a receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to identify the accuracy of the gross tumor volume in differentiating N categories. RESULTS: The gross tumor volume could predict regional lymph node metastasis (p<0.0001) in the univariate analysis, and the multivariate analyses indicated that the gross tumor volume was an independent risk factor for regional lymph node metastasis (p=0.005, odds ratio=1.364). The Mann-Whitney U test showed that the gross tumor volume could distinguish N0 from the N1-N3 categories, N0-N1 from N2-N3, and N0-N2 from N3 (all p<0.0001). In the T1-T4a categories, the gross tumor volume could differentiate N0 from the N1-N3 categories (cutoff, 12.3 cm3), N0-N1 from N2-N3 (cutoff, 16.6 cm3), and N0-N2 from N3 (cutoff, 24.6 cm3). In the T4a category, the gross tumor volume could differentiate N0 from the N1-N3 categories (cutoff, 15.8 cm3), N0-N1 from N2-N3 (cutoff, 17.8 cm3), and N0-N2 from N3 (cutoff, 24 cm3). CONCLUSION: The gross tumor volume of resectable gastric adenocarcinoma on multidetector computed tomography could predict regional lymph node metastasis and N categories.

Molecular cloning, expression pattern, and putative cis-acting elements of a 4-coumarate: CoA ligase gene in bamboo (Neosinocalamus affinis)

Background: 4-coumarate:CoA ligase (4CL) plays an important role at the divergence point from general phenylpropanoid metabolism to several branch pathways. Although 4CL sin higher plants have been extensively studied, little has known about the 4CL gene of bamboo. Results: In current study, a Na4CL gene putative encoding 4-coumarate:CoA ligase (4CL) and its 5’-flanking region were isolated from bamboo (Neosinocalamus affinis) by RACE-PCR and genomic DNA walker, respectively. Na4CL encodes a predicted protein of 557 amino acids, with conserved motifs of adenylate-forming enzymes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Na4CL shared 62~85 percent identity with other known plant 4CLs, and cluster closely with some known 4CLs in monocots. Sequence analysis revealed conserved cis-acting elements (Box A and AC-II element) present in the Na4CL promoter. Additionally, a Na4CL RNAi construct was transformed into tobacco. Transgenic tobaccos displayed significant down-expression of endogenesis 4CL and reduced lignin contents. Conclusion: These results contribute to the knowledge of the presence of Na4CL gene and its possible role in phenylpropanoid metabolism.