Characterizing and marker-assisting a novel chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) yellow bud mutant with cytoplasmic male sterility.

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in pepper is a better way to produce hybrid seeds compared to manual production. We used the two sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers (CRF-SCAR and CMS-SCAR130) in CMS pepper, to identify the genotype. We assembled two CMS yellow bud mutants (YBM; YBM12-A and YBM12-B). This mutation in leaf color is controlled by a single dominant nuclear gene. The aim was to create a new hybrid seed production method that reduces the costs and increases F1 hybrid seed purity. The results suggest that the CRF-SCAR and CMS-SCAR130 markers can be used together in multiple generations to screen for restorer or maintainer genes. We found the marker linked to the restorer gene (Rf) in the C-line and F1 hybrids, as well as partially in the F2 generation, whereas it was not found in the sterile YBM12-A or the maintainer line YBM12-B. In the F2 population, sterility and fertility segregated at a 3:1 ratio based on the CRF-SCAR marker. A 130 bp fragment was produced in the YBM12-A, F1, and F2 populations, suggesting that these lines contained sterile cytoplasm. A 140 bp fragment present in the YBM12-B and C-line indicated that these lines contained normal cytoplasm. In addition, we identified some morphological characters distinguishing sterile and fertile buds and flowers that may be linked to the sterility gene. If more restorer lines are identified, CMS expressing the YBM trait can be used in hybrid seed production.

[Expression of long non-coding RNA MALAT1 in osteosarcoma and its effect on invasiveness and metastatic potential of osteosarcoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of long non-coding RNA MALAT1 expression in osteosarcoma, and the potential mechanism by which MALAT1 promotes tumor metastasis. METHODS: Twenty cases of osteosarcoma in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University and Ping Ding Shan First People's Hospital were collected from January 2014 to December 2015. The expression of MALAT1 in osteosarcoma tissue and paired adjacent noncancerous tissue were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Correlation of MALAT1 expression in osteosarcoma with clinical pathologic features was performed by the Mann-Whitney U test. U-2OS cells were transfected with lenti-virus carrying MALAT1-shRNA and nonspecific shRNA (LV-vector). The expression of MALAT1 was detected by qRT-PCR. The cell activity was evaluated by MTT asssy. The impact of MALAT1-shRNA on invasion in U-2OS cells were determined by transwell migration assay. The expression of Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway related proteins were detected by Immunofluorescence stain and Western blot. RESULTS: The expression level of MALAT1 in osteosarcoma tissue was higher than that in paired adjacent noncancerous tissue and correlated significantly with nodal and pulmonary metastasis(P<0.01). MTT assay showed that knockdown of MALAT1 with lenti virus-MALAT1 shRNA inhibited the growth of U-2OS cells, along with marked decrease of invasive ability of U-2OS cells in the transwell migration assay. By immunofluorescence stain and Western blot assay, MALAT1 significantly reduced the expression of ß-catenin, MMP7, and c-MYC in U-2OS cells. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of MALAT1 is high in osteosarcoma and correlates with tumor metastasis. MALAT1 promotes invasion and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells likely thought the Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway.

Low temperature superplasticity and thermal stability of a nanostructured low-carbon microalloyed steel.

We describe here for the first time the low temperature superplasticity of nanostructured low carbon steel (microalloyed with V, N, Mn, Al, Si, and Ni). Low carbon nanograined/ultrafine-grained (NG/UFG) bulk steel was processed using a combination of cold-rolling and annealing of martensite. The complex microstructure of NG/UFG ferrite and 50-80 nm cementite exhibited high thermal stability at 500 °C with low temperature elongation exceeding 100% (at less than 0.5 of the absolute melting point) as compared to the conventional fine-grained (FG) counterpart. The low temperature superplasticity is adequate to form complex components. Moreover, the low strength during hot processing is favorable for decreasing the spring back and minimize die loss.

Olive oil and rapeseed oil differ in their effect on plasma low-density lipoprotein metabolism in the guinea-pig.

The effects of olive oil and rapeseed oil, two different high-oleic-acid oils, on plasma LDL and hepatic cholesterol metabolism were compared in guinea-pigs. Animals were fed on semipurified diet containing 150 g fat/kg as either olive oil (OL), rapeseed oil plus 100 g palm oil/kg (C-P) or olive oil plus 350 g safflowerseed oil/kg (OL-S). Olive oil was enriched with safflowerseed oil (OL-S diet) to increase linoleic acid and to decrease palmitic acid concentrations, in order to evaluate whether differences in plasma LDL concentrations were due to intrinsic effects of the specific oil (rapeseed or olive oil) or to differences in the content of specific fatty acids. No differences due to dietary fat source were found in plasma total and HDL-cholesterol levels or in LDL composition. Plasma LDL-cholesterol levels were lower on the C-P diet than the OL diet (P < 0.05) while plasma LDL-cholesterol levels in animals fed on the OL-S diet were not significantly different from either dietary group (P > 0.05). The number of hepatic apo B/E (LDL) receptors was on average 25% higher in animals fed on the C-P diet compared with those fed on diets containing olive oil. Likewise, cardiac muscle lipoprotein lipase (EC 3.1.1.34) activity was significantly higher in the C-P group than in the OL and OL-S dietary groups. Dietary fat source had no effect on hepatic cholesterol levels or 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG) CoA reductase (EC 1.1.1.34) activity. The results indicate that olive oil and rapeseed oil, both rich sources of monounsaturated fatty acids, differ in their effect on LDL metabolism in the guinea-pig.