Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of the ABF Transcription Factor Family in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Members of the abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive element (ABRE) binding factor (ABF) and ABA-responsive element binding protein (AREB) families play essential roles in the regulation of ABA signaling pathway activity and shape the ability of plants to adapt to a range of stressful environmental conditions. To date, however, systematic genome-wide analyses focused on the ABF/AREB gene family in wheat are lacking. Here, we identified 35 ABF/AREB genes in the wheat genome, designated TaABF1-TaABF35 according to their chromosomal distribution. These genes were further classified, based on their phylogenetic relationships, into three groups (A-C), with the TaABF genes in a given group exhibiting similar motifs and similar numbers of introns/exons. Cis-element analyses of the promoter regions upstream of these TaABFs revealed large numbers of ABREs, with the other predominant elements that were identified differing across these three groups. Patterns of TaABF gene expansion were primarily characterized by allopolyploidization and fragment duplication, with purifying selection having played a significant role in the evolution of this gene family. Further expression profiling indicated that the majority of the TaABF genes from groups A and B were highly expressed in various tissues and upregulated following abiotic stress exposure such as drought, low temperature, low nitrogen, etc., while some of the TaABF genes in group C were specifically expressed in grain tissues. Regulatory network analyses revealed that four of the group A TaABFs (TaABF2, TaABF7, TaABF13, and TaABF19) were centrally located in protein-protein interaction networks, with 13 of these TaABF genes being regulated by 11 known miRNAs, which play important roles in abiotic stress resistance such as drought and salt stress. The two primary upstream transcription factor types found to regulate TaABF gene expression were BBR/BPC and ERF, which have previously been reported to be important in the context of plant abiotic stress responses. Together, these results offer insight into the role that the ABF/AREB genes play in the responses of wheat to abiotic stressors, providing a robust foundation for future functional studies of these genes.

Determining reclaimed water quality thresholds and farming practices to improve food crop yield: A meta-analysis combined with random forest model.

Irrigated agricultural systems with reclaimed water (RW) play a crucial role in alleviating global water scarcity and increased food demand. However, appropriate reclaimed water quality thresholds and farming practices to improve food crop yield is virtually unclear. Therefore, for the first time, this study made a large compilation of previous studies using meta-analysis combined with a random forest (RF) model and analyzed the impact of RW versus freshwater (FW) on the yield of food crops (cereals, vegetables, and fruits). It was found that magnesium ion (Mg2+), calcium ion (Ca2+), electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen (TN), and potential of hydrogen (pH) were the most important factors for RW quality indicators. Based on the results, water managers should establish more conservative RW quality thresholds to promote food crop production, especially for salts and pollutants in RW. Compared to international water quality standards, it could be slightly relaxed the restrictions of TN in RW. The optimal farming practices obtained that irrigation amount of the mixed RW and FW (RW + FW) was from 1000 m3 ha-1 to 5000 m3 ha-1, and the cultivation period was no more than three years. Flood irrigation (FI) and drip irrigation (DI) for cereals were also recommended. Finally, a comparison of the determined results from this method with other scenarios published, finding a good agreement.

Pro-angiognetic and pro-osteogenic effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomal miR-21-5p in osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes (Exos) enhanced new bone formation, coupled with positive effects on osteogenesis and angiogenesis. This study aims to define the role of microRNA (miR)-21-5p delivered by human umbilical MSC-derived Exos (hucMSC-Exos) in the osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). We first validated that miR-21-5p expression was downregulated in the cartilage tissues of ONFH patients. Besides, hucMSCs delivered miR-21-5p to hFOB1.19 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) through the secreted Exos. Loss- and gain-of-function approaches were performed to clarify the effects of Exo-miR-21-5p, SOX5, and EZH2 on HUVEC angiogenesis and hFOB1.19 cell osteogenesis. It was established that Exo-miR-21-5p augments HUVEC angiogenesis and hFOB1.19 cell osteogenesis in vitro, as reflected by elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium deposition, and increased the expression of osteogenesis-related markers OCN, Runx2 and Collagen I. Mechanistically, miR-21-5p targeted SOX5 and negatively regulated its expression, while SOX5 subsequently promoted the transcription of EZH2. Ectopically expressed SOX5 or EZH2 could counterweigh the effect of Exo-miR-21-5p. Further, hucMSC-Exos containing miR-21-5p repressed the expression of SOX5 and EZH2 and augmented angiogenesis and osteogenesis in vivo. Altogether, our study uncovered the role of miR-21-5p shuttled by hucMSC-Exos, in promoting angiogenesis and osteogenesis, which may be a potential therapeutic target for ONFH.

[Mutation analysis of beta myosin heavy chain gene in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy families].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the gene mutations of beta-myosin heavy chain gene (MYH7) in Chinese pedigrees with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and to analyze the correlation between the genotype and phenotype. METHODS: Exons 3, 5, 7-9, 11-16 and 18-23 of the MYH7 gene were amplified with PCR in three Chinese pedigrees with HCM. The products were sequenced. Sequence alignment between the detected and the standard sequences was performed. RESULTS: A missense mutation of Thr441Met in exon 14 was identified in a pedigree, which was not detected in the controls. Several synonymous mutations of MYH7 gene were detected in the three pedigrees. CONCLUSION: The mutation of Thr441Met, located in the actin binding domain of the globular head, was first identified in Chinese. It probably caused HCM. HCM is a heterogeneous disease. Many factors are involved in the process of its occurrence and development.

[Screening and analysis of the mutations on beta-myosin heavy chain gene in 3 Chinese families with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To detect gene mutations on beta-myosin heavy chain gene MYH7 in 3 Chinese families with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and to analyze the correlation between genotype and phenotype. METHODS: A denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and sequencing mutation screening of the exons (exon3-23) coding for MYH7 gene were performed in 3 Chinese families with HCM. RESULTS: In this study, we identified several mutations in MYH7. A mutation of Thr441Met previously reported in a patient with Laing distal myopathy was first identified in one Chinese pedigree. CONCLUSION: This study illustrated the high frequency of mutation in MYH7 gene in Chinese HCM families. Different mutations and carriers of the MYH7 gene present phenotypic heterogeneity. Mutation screening and analysis in HCM family could therefore facilitate the early HCM diagnosis and would be helpful for the prediction, prevention and early treatment of HCM linked with MYH7 gene mutation.

A surface plasmon resonance-based system to genotype human papillomavirus.

We report a novel system (W2600) that is based on the technology of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to genotype human papillomavirus (HPV). The system permitted detection of 24 known HPV genotypes, including 16 high-risk types (HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 81) and 8 low-risk types (HPV 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 70). Analytical performance of W2600 for HPV genotyping was evaluated by HPV DNA derived from the liquid cervical cytology specimens of 560 patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or above. In comparison with clonal sequence analysis, 358 of 560 (64%) and 355 of 560 (63%) cases were found to be positive within the 24 HPV genotypes by W2600 and sequence analysis, respectively. Concordance between these two methods was at 555 of 560 (99%) (kappa = 0.98, P < 0.001); only 5 of the 560 (1%) cases had discordant results. No cross-hybridizations were observed with the W2600 system, and the spectrum of HPV genotypes identified by W2600 included all the 16 high-risk genotypes. These data demonstrate that the SPR-based W2600 system is highly sensitive and specific in HPV genotyping and can provide an effective approach for such application in a clinical setting.

[The protective effect of recombinant adenovirus of catalase on oxidative damaged rat lens].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the validity of catalase recombinant adenovirus on the treatment of oxidative cataract. METHODS: The coding sequence of catalase was cloned and the catalase recombinant adenovirus was constructed. The expression time course of catalase gene in rat lens infected by recombinant adenovirus was determined by Western blotting. Cultured rat lens were randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group, the group treated by hydrogen peroxide and the group treated by hydrogen peroxide combined with catalase recombinant adenovirus. The transparence and apoptosis ratio of lens on the time points of 6, 12, 18, 24 hours were determined by image analysis and double colour flowcytometry. RESULTS: The coding sequence of catalase was cloned and recombinant adenovirus was successfully constructed. The expression of catalase in cultured rat lens infected by recombinant adenovirus reached peak point on 9 hours post infection and maintained the level in the whole experiment period. The transparence of the lens in the group treated by hydrogen peroxide combined with catalase recombinant adenovirus was higher than that of group treated by hydrogen peroxide and lower than that of the control group on the time points of 6, 12, 18, 24 hours post infection. The differences among groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). On the same time points, the apoptosis ratio of the group treated by hydrogen peroxide combined with catalase recombinant adenovirus was lower than that of the group treated by hydrogen peroxide and higher than the control group. The differences among groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The catalase recombinant adenovirus, which can inhibit the turbidity and cell apoptosis of lens caused by oxidant, may be used as the gene therapy of oxidative cataract.