Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of WRKY Gene Family in Capsicum annuum L.

The WRKY family of transcription factors is one of the most important families of plant transcriptional regulators with members regulating multiple biological processes, especially in regulating defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little information is available about WRKYs in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). The recent release of completely assembled genome sequences of pepper allowed us to perform a genome-wide investigation for pepper WRKY proteins. In the present study, a total of 71 WRKY genes were identified in the pepper genome. According to structural features of their encoded proteins, the pepper WRKY genes (CaWRKY) were classified into three main groups, with the second group further divided into five subgroups. Genome mapping analysis revealed that CaWRKY were enriched on four chromosomes, especially on chromosome 1, and 15.5% of the family members were tandemly duplicated genes. A phylogenetic tree was constructed depending on WRKY domain' sequences derived from pepper and Arabidopsis. The expression of 21 selected CaWRKY genes in response to seven different biotic and abiotic stresses (salt, heat shock, drought, Phytophtora capsici, SA, MeJA, and ABA) was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR; Some CaWRKYs were highly expressed and up-regulated by stress treatment. Our results will provide a platform for functional identification and molecular breeding studies of WRKY genes in pepper.

Application of molecular imaging technologies in antitumor drug development and therapy.

Molecular imaging enables noninvasive characterization, quantification and visualization of biological and pathological processes in vivo at cellular and molecular level. It plays an important role in drug discovery and development. The skillful use of molecular imaging can provide unique insights into disease processes, which greatly aid in identifications of target. Importantly, molecular imaging is widely applied in the pharmacodynamics study to provide earlier endpoints during the preclinical drug development process, since it can be applied to monitor the effects of treatment in vivo with the use of biomarkers. Herein, we reviewed the application of molecular imaging technologies in antitumor drug development process ranging from identification of targets to evaluation of therapeutic effect.

[Clinicopathologic analysis of cervical lymph node metastasis in 708 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma].

PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics of cervical lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and the relationship between clinicopathologic factors of OSCC and cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM). METHODS: Clinicopathologic data of 708 patients with OSCC who underwent neck dissection were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between clinicopathologic factors of OSCC and CLNM was analyzed with univariate analysis and multivariate analysis using SPPPSS19.0 software package. RESULTS: The incidence of CLNM of OSCC was 35.6%(252/708), and the incidence of CLNM at each level was：levelⅠ30.7%（149/485）, level II33.8% (164/485), level III22.5% (109/485), level Ⅳ8.0% (39/485), and levelⅤ4.9% (24/485), respectively. From univariate analysis of the results, age, differentiation degree, depth of invasion, pathological T stage were significantly correlated with CLNM (P<0.05); while gender, location were not significantly correlated with CLNM (P>0.05). From multivariate analysis of the results, only differentiation degree, depth of invasion and pathological T stage were significantly correlated with CLNM (P<0.05). Depth of invasion was probably the most important influential factor for CLNM of OSCC (OR=2.191). CONCLUSIONS: There was positive relationship between CLNM and pathological T stage , depth of invasion; while there was negative relationship between CLNM and differentiation degree. Depth of invasion was probably the first influential factor for CLNM of OSCC.

Chimeric flaps pedicled with the lateral circumflex femoral artery for individualised reconstruction of through-and-through oral and maxillofacial defects.

Reconstruction of through-and-through oral and maxillofacial defects has always been difficult. We have evaluated the feasibility and reconstructive efficacy of chimeric flaps pedicled with the lateral circumflex femoral artery in the reconstruction of 41 through-and-through oral and maxillofacial defects after resections for cancer. There were 29 chimeric anterolateral thigh and anterolateral thigh flaps and 12 chimeric anterolateral thigh and anteromedial thigh flaps, the sizes of which ranged from 5×8 to 9×11 cm. The chimeric flaps provided separate flaps to reconstruct the intraoral mucosa and extraoral skin defects, and 40/41 of them survived. The appearance and function were satisfactory in all patients after the reconstruction. Chimeric flaps pedicled with the lateral circumflex femoral artery are a good choice for the reconstruction of through-and-through oral and maxillofacial defects.

[Preparative technique of anterolateral thigh flap].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the surgical techniques and methods of anterolateral thigh (myocutaneous) flap. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-five consecutive free anterolateral thigh (myocutaneous) flaps for reconstruction of the defects of oral and maxillofacial region following the malignant tumors resection from January 2007 to August 2009 were reviewed. The incision was designed in the upper, middle or lower part 3 cm medial of the iliac-patella line according to the thickness of flaps needed. The perforators with suitable vessel diameter and strong pulse were chosen to make flaps with muscular tissue to fill dead space. More than one perforators were taken when large flaps were harvested. The size of the flaps ranged from 4 cm × 4 cm to 10 cm × 25 cm. Eighteen fat flaps were made thinned. RESULTS: Of the 245 flaps harvested, 3 complete necrosis occurred, and the survival rate was 98.8%. Blisters occurred in 8 thinned flaps, but they all survived. All the wounds were closed directly except 5 cases, which needed skin graft because of too large defects of skin. All the skin graft came from the upper part of the wound of donor site. The shape and function were satisfactory after the reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: When anterolateral thigh (myocutaneous) flaps are harvested, the incision should be designed 3 cm medial of the iliac-patella line according to the thickness of flaps needed. It is helpful to find the perforators. All of the lower, middle and upper parts of anterolateral thigh region have cutaneous perforators. The skin defects within 8 cm can be closed directly, while the skin defects more than 8 cm often need skin grafting. The skin grafts can be taken from the upper part of donor site wounds.

[The chimeric perforator flap pedicled with descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery for reconstruction of oromaxillary soft tissue defect].

OBJECTIVE: To report the application of the chimeric perforator flap pedicled with descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery for large and complicated oromaxillary soft tissue defect. METHODS: Based on the anatomic study of descending branches and cutaneous perforators of lateral circumflex femoral artery, the perforator vessels were found and used as flap pedicle. The perforator flap was made as chimeric flap for repairing the oromaxillary soft tissue defect in 8 cases. The chimeric perforator flaps were divided into three types as anterolateral thigh flaps and anteromedial thigh flaps, anterolateral thigh flaps and rectus femoris perforator flaps, and anterolateral thigh flaps and anterolateral thigh flaps. RESULTS: All the 16 flaps in 8 cases survived completely with no complication. The wounds in donor sites were all primarily closed with no skin graft. The patients were followed up for 1-9 months with good functional and esthetic results. There was no morbidity in donor sites. CONCLUSIONS: The chimeric perforator flap has a large tissue volume for large and complicated oromaxillary defect. There is no need for extra donor site and extra blood vessel anastomosis.

[Clinical application of free anterolateral thigh flap in the reconstruction of oromaxillo-facial defects].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the possibility and practicality of using free anterolateral thigh flap to repair defects of oromaxillo-facial region. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-two patients underwent anterolateral thigh flap (ALP) reconstruction from Jan. 2007 to Dec. 2008. The size of the defect ranges from 4 cm x 4 cm to 10 cm x 25 cm. One hundred and six flaps were used for tongue reconstruction, 14 flaps for buccal reconstruction, 15 flaps for mouth floor reconstruction, 1 flap for lower lip and mental region reconstruction, 6 flaps for hard and soft palate reconstruction, 3 flap for maxillary part reconstruction, 18 flaps for submaxilla part reconstruction, 2 flaps for pharynx oralis reconstruction, 3 flaps for repairing large-area defect of facial, 1 flap for repairing neck and shoulder region and 3 flaps for repairing defect of Infratemporal fossa. Of these flaps, 151 were musculocutaneous flaps, 13 were fasciocutaneous flaps and 8 were chimeric flaps. RESULTS: The success rate reaches 98.3% (169 of 172). Postoperatively, 4 cases encountered vascular crisis, 1 of which survived completely with successful vessel exploration, 3 cases with partial necrosis; and 3 cases with complete necrosis. One case with bleeding after operation. Six cases with parotid fluidly and parotid fistula, 8 cases with mouth floor fistula, 6 cases with infection, 3 cases with infection and partial necrosis on the lateral thigh. All patients achieved acceptable contour, appearance and function. CONCLUSION: Free anterolateral thigh flap can repair kinds of complicated defects on oromaxillo-facial region.