Integration of transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis unveils the response mechanism of sugar metabolism in Cyclocarya paliurus seedlings subjected to PEG-induced drought stress.

Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja is a multiple function tree species used for functional food and valued timber production. Carbohydrates, especially water-soluble carbohydrates, play an important role in osmotic protection, signal transduction and carbon storage. Under the circumstance of global climate change the abiotic stress would restrict the development of C. paliurus plantation, whereas there is few knowledge on the regulatory mechanisms of sugar metabolism under drought stress in C. paliurus. To investigate the drought response of C. paliurus at molecular level, we conducted an integrated analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic of C. paliurus at three PEG-induced drought stress levels (0%: control; 15%: moderate drought; 25%: severe drought) in short term. Both moderate and severe drought treatments activated the chemical defense with lowering relative water content, and enhancing the contents of soluble protein, proline and malondialdehyde in the leaves. Meanwhile, alterations in the expression of differentially expressed genes and carbohydrate metabolism profiles were observed among the treatments. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) showed 3 key modules, 8 structural genes (such as genes encoding beta-fructofuranosidase (INV), sucrose synthase (SUS), raffinose synthase (RS)) and 14 regulatory transcription factors were closely linked to sugar metabolism. Our results provided the foundation to understand the response mechanism of sugar metabolism in C. paliurus under drought stress, and would drive progress in breeding of drought-tolerant varieties and plantation development of the species.

Factors Associated With Stress Urinary Incontinence and Diastasis of Rectus Abdominis in Women at 6-8 Weeks Postpartum.

IMPORTANCE: In recent years, pelvic-abdominal dynamics has become a research topic in the field of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), and the relationship between diastasis of the rectus abdominis (DRA) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has been controversial. The study is helpful to further strengthen perinatal education, accurately identify the risk factors of SUI and DRA, and improve the quality of life of puerperae. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association of SUI and DRA in women with PFD as measured by vaginal palpation or pelvic floor biofeedback machine testing. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 301 patients diagnosed with female PFD who were 6-8 weeks postpartum at The Fifth People's Hospital of Zhuhai between May 2018 and April 2021 were enrolled. The prevalence rates and potential influencing factors of SUI and DRA were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 29.5% (89 of 301) of the patients were diagnosed with SUI, and 31.9% (96 of 301) were diagnosed with DRA. Binary logistic regression showed that a history of delivery ( P = 0.012; odds ratio [OR], 1.982) and vaginal delivery with perineal lacerations or episiotomy ( P = 0.016; OR, 2.187) were risk factors for SUI. High birth weight (weight>4.0 kg, P < 0.001; OR, 14.507) was a risk factor for DRA. CONCLUSIONS: A history of delivery and vaginal delivery with perineal lacerations or episiotomy increased the risk of SUI, and high birth weight was an independent risk factor for DRA. Early intervention, including exercise therapy, manual therapy, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation, may be important for patients with PFD having these risk factors.

Three-dimensional MnO2 porous hollow microspheres for enhanced activity as ozonation catalysts in degradation of bisphenol A.

Three-dimensional (3D) MnO2 porous hollow microspheres (δ- and α- MnO2 PHMSs), with high adsorption and catalytic ozonation performance, were synthesized by a self-template (MnCO3 microspheres) process at room temperature. The synthesized MnO2 PHMSs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area. The results showed that PHMSs exhibit the excellent adsorption ability and catalytic activity owning to their hollow spherical structure, mesoporous shell and well-defined interior voids, leading to the strong adsorption for bisphenol A (BPA) and the retention of O3 molecules on catalyst. Moreover, the catalytic performance of α-MnO2 PHMSs was better than that of δ-MnO2 PHMSs which was attributed to the richer lattice oxygen of α-MnO2 PHMSs to accelerate O3 decomposition by producing more reactive oxidative species. The degradation efficiency of BPA using 3D α-MnO2 PHMSs was more than 90% in the presence of ozone within 30min reaction time. The probe tests for reactive oxidative species (ROSs) displayed that BPA degradation by catalytic ozonation is dominated by O2- and OH in our present study. Furthermore, the organic compounds as intermediates of the degradation process were identified by LC/MS.

[Expression of DUOX2 in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis lesion].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2) in psoriasis vulgaris lesions, atopic dermatitis (AD) lesions and normal skin and its role in cutaneous anti-inflammation. METHODS: Tissue samples were harvested from psoriasis lesion area, psoriasis non-lesion area, AD lesion area and AD non-lesion area, as well as normal skin, the expression level of DUOX2 protein was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA level of DUOX2 was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. RESULTS: The expression of DUOX2 protein was observed in all groups which mainly located in basal layer, spinous layer and dermal papilla layer. Compared with the psoriasis non-lesion group and normal skin group, the expression level of DUOX2 protein in psoriasis lesion group was significant higher (P<0. 01). The expression of DUOX2 protein in AD lesion group was stronger than that in AD non-lesion group and normal skin group (P<0. 01). In addition, the expression level of DUOX2 protein in AD lesion group was significant higher than that in psoriasis lesion group (P<0. 01). RT-PCR test revealed DUOX2 mRNA was expressed positively in psoriasis and AD lesions. CONCLUSION: The strong expression of DUOX2 in psoriasis vulgaris lesion and AD lesion suggested that DUOX2 may play an important role in the mechanisms of cutaneous anti-inflammation.

[The protective effects of sodium selenite and aloin against ultraviolet A radiation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of sodium selenite and aloin against ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation on the dermal fibroblasts including the suppression of proliferation, oxidative damage and collagen synthesis. METHODS: Human dermal fibroblasts were divided into the negative control group, the positive control UVA radiation group, the sodium selenite treatment plus UVA radiation group and the aloin treatment plus UVA radiation group, which were incubated with sodium selenite or aloin and irradiated with 5 J/cm2 UVA respectively. The MTT spectrophotometry and biochemical assay were used to determine the proliferation, collagen level and the SOD and GSH-Px activity of the fibroblast cells after radiation. RESULTS: 5 J/cm2 UVA affect the proliferation, collage protein, SOD and GSH-Px activity in the fibroblast cells (P < 0.05). Sodium selenite (10-100 microg/L) and aloin (1-100 mg/L) could enhance the proliferation and the SOD and GSH-Px activity. A increased collagen synthesis in dose dependant manner was also observed (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sodium selenite and aloin in a certain range of concentration have protective effects on ultraviolet radiation induced fibroblast proliferation inhibition, oxidative injury, and decreased collagen synthesis.