Predictive Value of 5-Methoxytryptophan on Long-Term Clinical Outcome after PCI in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction-a Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, 5-Methoxytryptophan (5-MTP) has been identified as an endothelial factor with vaso-protective and anti-inflammatory properties. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, a total of 407 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) successfully were enrolled. A 1-year follow-up Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used for evaluating the correlation between 5-MTP and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) while Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to identify predictive values of 5-MTP on MACE after AMI. RESULTS: Increased 5-MTP level led to a significant downtrend in the incidence of MACE (All Log-rank p < 0.05). Thus, a high baseline 5-MTP could reduce the 1-year incidence of MACE (HR = 0.33, 95%Cl 0.17-0.64, p = 0.001) and heart failure (HF) (HR = 0.28, 95% Cl 0.13-0.62, p = 0.002). Subgroup analysis indicated the predictive value of 5-MTP was more significant in patients aged ≤ 65 years and those with higher baseline NT-proBNP, T2DM, STEMI, and baseline HF with preserved LVEF (HFpEF) characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma 5-MTP is an independent and protective early biomarker for 1-year MACE and HF events in patients with AMI, especially in younger patients and those with T2DM, STEMI, and baseline HFpEF characteristics.

The OsNLP3/4-OsRFL module regulates nitrogen-promoted panicle architecture in rice.

Rice panicles, a major component of yield, are regulated by phytohormones and nutrients. How mineral nutrients promote panicle architecture remains largely unknown. Here, we report that NIN-LIKE PROTEIN3 and 4 (OsNLP3/4) are crucial positive regulators of rice panicle architecture in response to nitrogen (N). Loss-of-function mutants of either OsNLP3 or OsNLP4 produced smaller panicles with reduced primary and secondary branches and fewer grains than wild-type, whereas their overexpression plants showed the opposite phenotypes. The OsNLP3/4-regulated panicle architecture was positively correlated with N availability. OsNLP3/4 directly bind to the promoter of OsRFL and activate its expression to promote inflorescence meristem development. Furthermore, OsRFL activates OsMOC1 expression by binding to its promoter. Our findings reveal the novel N-responsive OsNLP3/4-OsRFL-OsMOC1 module that integrates N availability to regulate panicle architecture, shedding light on how N nutrient signals regulate panicle architecture and providing candidate targets for the improvement of crop yield.

Balanced nitrogen-iron sufficiency boosts grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency by promoting tillering.

Crop yield plays a critical role in global food security. For optimal plant growth and maximal crop yields, nutrients must be balanced. However, the potential significance of balanced nitrogen-iron (N-Fe) for improving crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has not previously been addressed. Here, we show that balanced N-Fe sufficiency significantly increases tiller number and boosts yield and NUE in rice and wheat. NIN-like protein 4 (OsNLP4) plays a pivotal role in maintaining the N-Fe balance by coordinately regulating the expression of multiple genes involved in N and Fe metabolism and signaling. OsNLP4 also suppresses OsD3 expression and strigolactone (SL) signaling, thereby promoting tillering. Balanced N-Fe sufficiency promotes the nuclear localization of OsNLP4 by reducing H2O2 levels, reinforcing the functions of OsNLP4. Interestingly, we found that OsNLP4 upregulates the expression of a set of H2O2-scavenging genes to promote its own accumulation in the nucleus. Furthermore, we demonstrated that foliar spraying of balanced N-Fe fertilizer at the tillering stage can effectively increase tiller number, yield, and NUE of both rice and wheat in the field. Collectively, these findings reveal the previously unrecognized effects of N-Fe balance on grain yield and NUE as well as the molecular mechanism by which the OsNLP4-OsD3 module integrates N-Fe nutrient signals to downregulate SL signaling and thereby promote rice tillering. Our study sheds light on how N-Fe nutrient signals modulate rice tillering and provide potential innovative approaches that improve crop yield with reduced N fertilizer input for benefitting sustainable agriculture worldwide.

Tailoring the whole-cell sensing spectrum with cyborgian redox machinery.

Whole-cell biosensors are an important class of analytical tools that offer the advantages of low cost, facile operation, and unique reproduction/regeneration ability. However, it has always been quite challenging to expand the sensing spectrum of the host. Here, a new approach to extend the cell sensing spectrum with biomineralized nanoparticles is developed. The nano-biohybrid design comprise biomineralized FeS nanoparticles firmly anchored onto the bacterium, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, wherein the nanoparticles are wired to the cellular electron transfer machinery (MtrCAB/OmcA) of the bacterium, forming an artificial cyborgian redox machinery consisting of FeS-MtrCAB/OmcA-FccA. Strikingly, with this cyborgian redox machinery, the sensing spectrum of FeS hybridized S. oneidensis MR-1 cell is successfully expanded to enable whole-cell electrochemical detection of Vitamin B12, while an unhybridized native cell is incapable of sensing. This proof-of-concept nano-biohybrid design offers a new perspective on manipulating the microbial toolkit for an expanded sensing spectrum in whole-cell biosensors.

Self-assembly of cell-embedding reduced graphene oxide/ polypyrrole hydrogel as efficient anode for high-performance microbial fuel cell.

A three-dimensional (3D) macroporous reduced graphene oxide/polypyrrole (rGO/Ppy) hydrogel assembled by bacterial cells was fabricated and applied for microbial fuel cells. By taking the advantage of electroactive cell-induced bioreduction of graphene oxide and in-situ polymerization of Ppy, a facile self-assembly by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1and in-situ polymerization approach for 3D rGO/Ppy hydrogel preparation was developed. This facile one-step self-assembly process enabled the embedding of living electroactive cells inside the hydrogel electrode, which showed an interconnected 3D macroporous structures with high conductivity and biocompatibility. Electrochemical analysis indicated that the self-assembly of cell-embedding rGO/Ppy hydrogel enhanced the electrochemical activity of the bioelectrode and reduced the electron charge transfer resistance between the cells and the electrode. Impressively, extremely high power output of 3366 ± 42 mW m-2 was achieved from the MFC with cell-embedding rGO/Ppy hydrogel rGO/Ppy, which was 8.6 times of that delivered from the MFC with bare electrode. Further analysis indicated that the increased cell loading by the hydrogel and improved electrochemical activity by the rGO/Ppy composite would be the underlying mechanism for this performance improvement. This study provided a facile approach to fabricate the biocompatible and electrochemical active 3D nanocomposites for MFC, which would also be promising for performance optimization of various bioelectrochemical systems.

The prediction value of platelet-derived growth factor for major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The value of plasma Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) as a biomarker in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) remains unclear. METHODS: A total of 242 patients with NSTEMI were enrolled in this observational cohort study. The correlation between PDGF and MACEs was evaluated during a five-year follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to identify predictive values of PDGF. RESULTS: The mean follow-up of NSTEMI patients was 1334 days. It was found that as the PDGF level increased, a significant uptrend in the incidence of MACEs and all-cause death, including the MACEs of 30 days, 180 days, 1 year, 5 years and the death of 1 year and 5 years (All Log-rank p < .05). Subgroup analysis further showed that PDGF had better predictive value for patients with age >65 years, GRACE score ≥140 and platelet count (PLT) >200 × 109/L. CONCLUSION: PDGF levels can predict short-term and long-term MACEs in NSTEMI patients after discharge, especially for patients with older age, higher GRACE score and baseline PLT > 200 × 109/L.Key messagesPDGF is a risk factor for short- and long-term MACEs in patients with STEMI.PDGF has a better prognostic value in patients with older age and PLT > 200 × 109/L.Baseline plasma PDGF levels were positively correlated with GRACE score.

Clinical observation of vitrectomy combined with endolaser photocoagulation at the edge of posterior scleral staphyloma for macular hole retinal detachment in high myopia.

AIM: To observe the clinical effect of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and silicone oil filling surgery combined with intraoperative posterior scleral staphyloma (PS) marginal retinal photocoagulation in the treatment of high myopic macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) with PS. METHODS: This was a retrospective clinical study. From May 2017 to March 2020, 62 MHRD patients with PS (62 eyes) were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into 23G PPV combined with PS marginal retina intraoperative photocoagulation group (combined group) and conventional surgery group (conventional group), with 31 eyes in each. Triamcinolone acetonide and indocyanine green were used to remove the epiretinal membrane and the posterior macular inner limiting membrane (ILM). In the combined group, 2 to 3 rows of retinal photocoagulation were performed on the edge of the PS. The patients were followed up for an average of 8.34±3.21mo. The first retinal reattachment rate, macular hole closure rate, Duration of silicone oil tamponade, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and average number of operations were observed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The first retinal reattachment rates of the eyes in the combined group and the conventional group were 96.7% (29/31) and 67.7% (21/31), respectively (χ2 =6.613, P=0.010). The macular hole closure rates in the combined group and the conventional group were 74.2% (23/31) and 67.7% (21/31), respectively (χ2 =0.128, P=0.721). The Duration of silicone oil tamponade of the patients in the combined group was lower than that of the routine group (t=-41.962, P≤0.001). Postoperative logMAR BCVA values of patients in the combined group and the conventional group were 1.27±0.12 and 1.26±0.11, compared with the logMAR BCVA before surgery, each group was improved (t=19.947, t=-19.517, P≤0.001, P≤0.001). There was no significant difference in the logMAR BCVA between the eyes of the two groups (t=-0.394, P=0.695). The average numbers of operations on the eyes in the conventional group and the combined group were 2.39±0.62 and 2.06±0.25 times, the combined group had fewer operations on average (t=-2.705, P=0.009). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative PPV treatment of MHRD with PS combined with PS marginal endolaser photocoagulation can effectively increase the rate of retinal reattachment after the first operation, reduce the number of repeated operations, and reduce the postoperative duration of silicone oil tamponade.

GAF domain is essential for nitrate-dependent AtNLP7 function.

Nitrate is an essential nutrient and an important signaling molecule in plants. However, the molecular mechanisms by which plants perceive nitrate deficiency signaling are still not well understood. Here we report that AtNLP7 protein transport from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in response to nitrate deficiency is dependent on the N-terminal GAF domain. With the deletion of the GAF domain, AtNLP7ΔGAF always remains in the nucleus regardless of nitrate availability. AtNLP7 ΔGAF also shows reduced activation of nitrate-induced genes due to its impaired binding to the nitrate-responsive cis-element (NRE) as well as decreased growth like nlp7-1 mutant. In addition, AtNLP7ΔGAF is unable to mediate the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation upon nitrate treatment. Our investigation shows that the GAF domain of AtNLP7 plays a critical role in the sensing of nitrate deficiency signal and in the nitrate-triggered ROS signaling process.

Latent class cluster analysis of knowledge on acute myocardial infarction in community residents: a cross-sectional study in Tianjin, China.

OBJECTIVE: Public knowledge of early onset symptoms and risk factors (RF) of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is very important for prevention, recurrence and guide medical seeking behaviours. This study aimed to identify clusters of knowledge on symptoms and RFs of AMI, compare characteristics and the awareness of the need for prompt treatment. DESIGN: Multistage stratified sampling was used in this cross-sectional study. Latent GOLD Statistical Package was used to identify and classify the respondent subtypes of the knowledge on AMI symptoms or modifiable RFs. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors that predicted high knowledge membership. PARTICIPANTS: A structured questionnaire was used to interview 4200 community residents aged over 35 in China. 4122 valid questionnaires were recovered. RESULTS: For AMI symptoms and RFs, the knowledge levels were classified into two or three distinct clusters, respectively. 62.7% (Symptom High Knowledge Cluster) and 39.5% (RF High Knowledge Cluster) of the respondents were able to identify most of the symptoms and modifiable RFs. Respondents who were highly educated, had higher monthly household income, were insured, had regular physical examinations, had a disease history of AMI RFs, had AMI history in immediate family member or acquaintance or had received public education on AMI were observed to have higher probability of knowledge on symptoms and RFs. There was significant difference in awareness of the prompt treatment in case of AMI occurs among different clusters. 'Calling an ambulance' was the most popular option in response of seeing others presenting symptoms of AMI. CONCLUSIONS: A moderate or relatively low knowledge on AMI symptoms and modifiable RFs was observed in our study. Identification of Knowledge Clusters could be a way to detect specific targeted groups with low knowledge of AMI, which may facilitate health education, further reduce the prehospital delay in China and improve patient outcomes.

Recent advances in soil microbial fuel cells based self-powered biosensor.

The soil microbial fuel cell (SMFC) is a new device that was originally designed to generate electricity from organic matter in soil using microorganisms. Currently, SMFC based biosensors are emerging as a new and promising research direction for real-time and rapid monitoring of soil quality or soil pollution. Compared to conventional biosensors, SMFC based biosensors exhibit advantages such as low-cost, simple design, in-situ, and long-term self-powering monitoring, which makes it become attractive devices for in-situ long-term soil quality or soil pollution monitoring. Thus, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of SMFC based biosensors. In this review, different prototypes of SMFC based biosensors developed in recent years are introduced, the biosensing mechanisms and the roles of SMFC are highlighted, and the emerging applications of these SMFC based biosensors are discussed. Since the SMFC based biosensors are applied in open-air conditions, the effects of different environmental factors on the biosensing response are also summarized. Finally, to further expand the understanding and boost the practical application of the SMFC based biosensors, future perspectives including fundamental mechanism exploration and investigation of the full-scale application are proposed.

Bio-Nanohybrid Cell Based Signal Amplification System for Electrochemical Sensing.

A signal amplification system for electrochemical sensing was established by bio-nanohybrid cells (BNC) based on bacterial self-assembly and biomineralization. The BNC was constructed by partially encapsulating a Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 cell with the self-biomineralized iron sulfide nanoparticles. The iron sulfide nanoparticle encapsulated BNCs showed high transmembrane electron transfer efficiency and was explored as a superior redox cycling module. Impressively, by integrating this BNC redox cycling module into the electrochemical sensing system, the output signal was amplified over 260 times compared to that without the BNC module. Uniquely, with this BNC redox cycling system, ultrasensitive detection of riboflavin with an extremely low LOD of 0.2 nM was achieved. This work demonstrated the power of BNC in the area of biosensing and provided a new possibility for the design of a whole cell redox cycling based signal amplification system.

Correlation Analysis of Plasma Myeloperoxidase Level With Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events Score and Prognosis in Patients With Acute Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE) risk scores were independently used to predict adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the relationship between MPO level and GRACE score, and whether the combination of MPO and GRACE can better predict major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), have not been previously investigated. Methods: A prospective cohort of 271 consecutive patients with NSTEMI were enrolled in this study. Plasma MPO levels were measured by ELISA. Baseline demographic and clinical information was collected, and GRACE scores were calculated at admission. The correlation between MPO and MACEs was evaluated with the GRACE score during a 1-year follow-up. Results: The results showed that plasma MPO level was correlated with inflammatory indices (including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), leukocyte count, neutrophil count, and fibrinogen), N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and hypersensitive troponin T (hsTNT) levels (All p-values < 0.05), and there was a statistically significant correlation between plasma MPO level and GRACE score (r = 0.22, p < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that patients with higher MPO levels had lower event-free survival (Log-rank P < 0.001). The multivariate Cox model showed MPO was an independent risk factor for 1-year MACEs in patients with NSTEMI (HR: 3.85, 95% CI: 1.4-10.6, p = 0.009). Subgroup analysis showed that MPO was a strong prognostic biomarker, and its prognostic value was more significant in patients with age >65 years and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level >1,000 pg/ml. For high-risk patients with GRACE scores, a higher level of MPO has a higher prognostic value. Conclusion: Elevated plasma MPO levels are associated with high inflammatory status and GRACE scores in patients with NSTEMI. For high-risk patients with GRACE scores, higher MPO levels were more predictive of future MACEs.

Lactobacillus levels and prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between Lactobacillus and prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and its correlation with clinical parameters. METHODS: Consecutive patients with AMI in the coronary care unit of Tianjin Chest Hospital in China who received emergency PCI between July 2017 and December 2018 were enrolled. Subjects' fecal 16S rDNA gene sequencing data were analyzed and subjects were categorized into low, medium and high level groups according to stool Lactobacillus measurements. The primary endpoints were major adverse cardiac events. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between Lactobacillus and prognosis. Spearman correlation analysis and trend tests were used to assess the relationship between Lactobacillus and the clinical indicators. RESULTS: The data of 254 patients were included in the analysis. Mean age was 65.90 ± 11.56 years, and 152 patients (59.84%) were male. Follow-up time was 652 (548.25-753.00) days. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed a significantly lower risk of major adverse cardiac events in patients with Lactobacillus > 7.1 copies/g [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.216, 95% CI: 0.094-0.493,P < 0.001] compared to patients with Lactobacillus ≤ 3.6 copies/g. Statistically significant differences were shown in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (HR = 0.217, 95% CI: 0.085-0.551, P = 0.001). Lactobacillus was a protective factor for male smokers aged over 60 years whose brain natriuretic peptide was over 1,000 pg/mL. Spearman correlation analysis showed that Lactobacillus correlated negatively with white blood cells, neutrophils, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, TroponinT, creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB and brain natriuretic peptide (downward trend), and correlated positively with left ventricular ejection fraction (upward trend). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to reveal the correlation between Lactobacillus and inflammation and myocardial damage after STEMI. STEMI patients, especially male smokers aged over 60 years with severe impairment of cardiac function, have better outcomes with high levels of Lactobacillus, suggesting new therapeutic strategies for improving the prognosis and quality of life of AMI patients.

Combined fascia iliaca compartment block and monitored anesthesia care for geriatric patients with hip fracture: Two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Major hip surgery usually requires neuraxial or general anesthesia with tracheal intubation and may be supplemented with a nerve block to provide intraoperative and postoperative pain relief. CASE SUMMARY: This report established that hip surgical procedures can be performed with a fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) and monitored anesthesia care (MAC) while avoiding neuraxial or general anesthesia. This was a preliminary experience with two geriatric patients with hip fracture, American Society of Anesthesiologists status III, and with many comorbidities. Neither patient could be operated on within 48 h after admission. Both general anesthesia and neuraxial anesthesia were high-risk procedures and had contraindications. Hence, we chose nerve block combined with a small amount of sedation. Intraoperative analgesia was provided by single-injection ultrasound-guided FICB. Light intravenous sedation was added. Surgical exposure was satisfactory, and neither patient complained of any symptoms during the procedure. CONCLUSION: This report showed that hip surgery for geriatric patients can be performed with FICB and MAC, although complications and contraindications are common. The anesthetic program was accompanied by stable respiratory and circulatory system responses and satisfactory analgesia while avoiding the adverse effects and problems associated with either neuraxial or general anesthesia.

Gut Lactobacillus Level Is a Predictive Marker for Coronary Atherosclerotic Lesions Progress and Prognosis in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: Gut microbiota dysbiosis can contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis. We investigated the association of the gut microbiota and the severity of coronary artery lesions and prognosis of patients with ACS. Methods: In this case-control study, 402 ACS patients and 100 controls were enrolled from June 2017 to December 2018. The number of bacterial species was determined by real-time PCR. A SYNTAX score was calculated for all ACS patients based on their coronary angiography results. Results: Compared with the healthy controls, the gut microbial levels in Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, and Enterobacteriaceae were significantly increased in ACS patients, while the Lactobacillus level was significantly decreased. Lactobacillus level was as an independent predictor of disease severity on the coronary angiography [high vs. low SYNTAX score: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.024, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.004-0.155] and myocardial necrosis [high vs. low cardiac troponin T (cTNT): aOR = 0.317, 95% CI: 0.099-0.914]. Subsequently, a higher Lactobacillus level was associated with a lower risk of an all-cause death [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.239; 95% CI: 0.093-0.617] and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in ACS patients (aHR = 0.208; 95% CI: 0.081-0.531). After stratifying by the type of ACS, a higher Lactobacillus level was significantly associated with the decreased risks of high SYNTAX score, all-cause death, and MACE in the STEMI subgroup but not in the NSTEMI and UAP subgroups. Conclusions: Lower Lactobacillus levels may indicate a higher risk of a more severe coronary atherosclerotic lesions and myocardial necrosis and worse prognosis for patients with ACS, particularly in the STEMI subgroup.

Analysis of Primary Reactions in Biomass Oxidation with O2 in Hot-Compressed Alkaline Water.

The present study investigated oxidation of pulverized Japanese cedar with O2 in hot-compressed alkaline water, employing a newly developed flow-through fixed-bed reactor (percolator). It allowed us to determine the rate of the primary extraction that was free from the secondary reactions of extract in the aqueous phase and those over the residual solid, solubility of extractable matter, and mass transport processes. Quantitative kinetic analysis revealed that the cedar consisted of three kinetic components (C1-C3) that underwent extraction in parallel following first-order kinetics with different rate constants. Further analysis revealed the chemical compositions of the kinetic components, which were mixtures of carbohydrates and lignin. C1 was converted most rapidly by nonoxidative reactions such as alkali-catalyzed hydrolysis, while C2 was converted by oxidative degradation. The product distributions from C1 and C2 (CO2, lower organic acids, oligosaccharides, acid-soluble, and acid-insoluble lignins) were steady throughout their conversion. Both C1 and C2 thus behaved as single reactants; nevertheless, those were lignin/carbohydrates mixtures. It was also demonstrated that the extraction rate of C2 was proportional to the concentration of dissolved O2. C3 was the most refractory component, consisting mainly of glucan and very minimally of the lignin, xylan, mannan, galactan, and arabinan.

SIRT3 deficiency increases mitochondrial oxidative stress and promotes migration of retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Retinal pigment epithelial cells are closely associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. The mechanism by which diabetes impacts retinal pigment epithelial cell function is of significant interest. Sirtuins are an important class of proteins that primarily possess nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylases activity and involved in various cellular physiological and pathological processes. Here, we aimed to examine the role of sirtuins in the induction of diabetes-associated retinal pigment epithelial cell dysfunction. High glucose and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) treatment induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the migration of retinal pigment epithelial cells, and decreased sirtuin-3 expression. Sirtuin-3 knockdown using siRNA increased epithelial-mesenchymal transition and migration of retinal pigment epithelial cells. In contrast, sirtuin-3 overexpression attenuated the effects caused by high glucose and PDGF on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and migration of retinal pigment epithelial cells, suggesting that sirtuin-3 deficiency contributed to retinal pigment epithelial cell dysfunction induced by high glucose and PDGF. Mechanistically, sirtuin-3 deficiency induced retinal pigment epithelial cell dysfunction by the overproduction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that sirtuin-3 deficiency mediates the migration of retinal pigment epithelial cells, at least partially by increasing mitochondrial oxidative stress, and shed light on the importance of sirtuin-3 and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species as potential targets in diabetic retinopathy therapy.

Deep Delignification of Woody Biomass by Repeated Mild Alkaline Treatments with Pressurized O2.

Delignification is essential in effective utilization of carbohydrates of lignocellulosic biomass. Characteristics of the delignification are important for the yield and property of the resulting carbohydrates. Oxidation with O2 of biomass in alkaline water can potentially produce high-purity cellulose at high yield. The present authors chose a Japanese cedar and investigated its oxidative delignification at 90 °C. The delignification selectivity was determined mainly by the chemical structures of lignin and cellulose. Treatment conditions, except for temperature, hardly changed the relationship between delignification rate and cellulose retention. During the treatment, dissolved lignin underwent chemical condensation in the aqueous phase. This "unfavorable" condensation consumed O2-derived active species, slowing down further delignification. Repeated short-time oxidation with renewal of alkaline water suppressed the condensation, enhancing the delignification. Repetition of 2-h treatments four times achieved 96% delignification, which was 8% higher than a single 8-h treatment at 130 °C.

Jatropha curcas ortholog of tomato MADS-box gene 6 (JcTM6) promoter exhibits floral-specific activity in Arabidopsis thaliana.

BACKGROUND: Jatropha curcas L., a perennial oilseed plant, is considered as a promising feedstock for biodiesel production. Genetic modification of flowering characteristics is critical for Jatropha breeding. However, analysis of floral-specific promoters in Jatropha is limited. METHODS: In this study, we isolated the Jatropha ortholog of TM6 (JcTM6) gene from Jatropha flower cDNA library and detected the expression pattern of JcTM6 gene by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). We isolated a 1.8-kb fragment from the 5' region of the JcTM6 gene and evaluated its spatiotemporal expression pattern in Arabidopsis using the ß-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and Arabidopsis ATP/ADP isopentenyltransferase 4 (AtIPT4) gene, respectively. RESULTS: JcTM6 was identified as a flower-specific gene in Jatropha. As expected, JcTM6 promoter was only active in transgenic Arabidopsis flowers with the strongest activity in stamens. Moreover, JcTM6:AtIPT4 transgenic Arabidopsis showed a phenotype of large flowers without any alterations in other organs. Furthermore, deletion of the region from -1,717 to -876 bp resulted in the disappearance of promoter activity in stamens but an increase in promoter activity in young leaves, sepals, and petals. Deletion analysis suggests that the -1,717- to -876-bp promoter fragment contains regulatory elements that confer promoter activity in stamens and inhibit activity in young leaves, sepals, and petals.