Genome-wide Identification, Classification, and Expression Pattern of Homeobox Gene Family in Brassica rapa under Various Stresses.

Homeobox (HB) genes are crucial for plant growth and development processes. They encode transcription factors and responses to various stresses, as reported by recent emerging evidence. In this study, a total of 113 BraHB genes were identified in Brassica rapa. On the basis of domain organization and phylogenetic analysis, the BraHBs were grouped into nine subclasses, in which homeobox leucine-zipper (HB LZP-III) showed the highest number of genes (28) compared to other subclasses. The BraHBs exhibited similarities in exon-intron organization and motif composition among the members of the same subclasses. The analysis revealed that HB-Knotted was more preferentially retained than any other subclass of BraHB. Furthermore, we evaluated the impact of whole-genome triplication on the evolution of BraHBs. In order to analyze the subgenomes of B. rapa, we identified 39 paralogous pairs for which synonymous substitution values were lower than 1.00 for further purifying selection. Finally, the expression patterns of BraHBs across six tissues expressed dynamic variations combined with their responses against multiple stresses. The current study provides brief information on the homeobox gene family in B. rapa. Our findings can serve as a reference for further functional analysis of BraHBs.

Evolution and Expression Divergence of E2 Gene Family under Multiple Abiotic and Phytohormones Stresses in Brassica rapa.

To understand ubiquitination mechanism, E2s (ubiquitin conjugating enzymes) have crucial part as they play a major role in regulating many biological processes in plants. Meanwhile, Brassica rapa is an important leafy vegetable crop and therefore its characterization along with the expression pattern of E2s under various stresses is imperative. In this study, a total of 83 genes were identified in B. rapa and were classified into four different classes based on domain information. Here, we analyzed phylogenetic relationships, collinear correlation, gene duplication, interacting network, and expression patterns of E2 genes in B. rapa. Furthermore, RT-PCR analysis for 8 multiple abiotic and hormone treatments (namely, ABA, GA, JA, BR, PEG, NaCl, and heat and cold stress) illustrated striking expression pattern under one or more treatments, speculating that these might be stress-responsive genes. The cis-elements and interaction network analyses implicate valuable clues of important function of E2 genes in development and multiple stress responses in B. rapa. This study will further facilitate functional analysis of E2s for improving stress resistance mechanism in B. rapa.

Study on the neonate umbilical cord blood thyroid stimulating hormone level in the universal iodized salt areas and its application / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the neonatal umbilical cord blood thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level in the universal iodized salt areas and put forward the cut-point, then analyze its application.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seven provinces were selected where the pregnant women having satisfied urinary iodine levels, then the urinary samples of pregnant women and the neonates cord blood were collected for urine iodine and TSH tests, and the relative factors were also recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total 1 524 urine and cord blood samples were collected from pregnant women and their new borns respectively. The median urinary iodine of pregnant women was 246.0 micro g/L, and the median TSH was 3.58 mU/L. The TSH level among seven areas and the neonatal delivery type varied significantly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The neonatal cord blood TSH was influenced by several factors and could not be controlled, thus not be suitable as a iodine deficiency disorders surveillance indicator.</p>